15 October 2022
Published 20 February 2020
Moreton Bay Regional Council has given the local Samoan Community the opportunity to reconnect with nature and their cultural roots by providing space for a community garden in Deception Bay.
Spokesperson for Parks, Recreation and Sport Councillor Koliana Winchester said Council was excited to get the regions first community garden off the ground since the new application process was implemented.
“The community garden will be used for food production as well as providing plants for traditional craft and ceremonial purposes” she said.
“The garden will also provide a space for the community to come together and engage in activities such as storytelling.
“While this project is aimed at connecting the Samoan elders with the community to avoid the sense of isolation, it also has wider benefits for the whole community who will be welcome to participate.
“This will be an entirely member-run facility, enabled thanks to Council’s endorsement of the $1 per annum peppercorn lease.
“It’s great to see how hard work pays off, both the Aiga Samoa Association and Council have worked closely together to achieve this great outcome”.
The objective of the association is to provide education, recreation and social support initiatives to members of the Samoan Community.
Aiga Samoa President Roy Slade said it’s a dream of ours to do something that maintains our strong cultural connection with the land.
“Growing food and plants is an integral part of our culture and we would like to share our experiences with the wider community.
“Not only is it a vital part of our heritage and identity, it will also have a positive impact on our community’s health and well-being”.
In 2003 Council constructed the Maota Fono (Community meeting house) for the Aiga Samoa Association which is utilised for special occasions and ceremonies, the community garden will be an extension to this leased area.
Council is currently processing further applications which shows how important our parks can be in allowing our community to reconnect with food production and shared learning.