What will grow from your community hall this year?
Published on 01 February 2025
“What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.” This insight, attributed to 13th century German theologian Meister Eckhart, continues to ring true hundreds of years later. Indeed, just recently, it was neatly encapsulated when Costa’s Garden Book Tour rolled into town.
The gnomadic (sic) gardening and nature advocate was invited to Bellingen by members of the Northbank Community Gardens community who, with support from Bonville Nursery and Planting on the Plateau, transformed the Memorial Hall into a floral wonderland.
Children, in particular, were immersed in the event’s themes of sustainability and gardening. Many dressed as gnomes or flowers, enthusiastically engaging in sing-a-long tunes by the Formidable Vegetable band and games designed to teach them about the environment, and encourage a love for gardening.
Another highlight was a rap performance by MC Skidoo, improvised on the spot using words shared by kids to describe what makes gardens special. Throughout the event, head gardener and seasoned entertainer, Costa the Garden Gnome, effortlessly conveyed educational messages in a playful atmosphere, sparking creativity and helping cultivate a love for gardening, an essential skill for the future.
While some children will have bounced out of the event straight into a garden bed to plant carrots, to search for lady bugs or nag their folks to start composting, others will react differently. Just as in gardening, it can take time and a particular set of environmental circumstances for certain seeds to germinate.
No matter how circuitous the path our young people take to flourish, events like these demonstrate the Hall’s indispensable role in promoting creative expression and community growth. There’s a unique magic where creativity and entertainment meet education - proof that learning isn’t confined to the classroom or academic pursuits. Our local small halls are essential nodes for community connection and learning. What might grow from your local hall this year?