Greg Wise has been involved with the Docklands Community Garden (DCG) for 8 years now and played a critical role in keeping it going.
When Greg first got involved, the garden was disused and overgrown, but he’s helped build it up to be one of the most popular local community gardens in the City of Melbourne.
‘Myself and other local residents were invited to a meeting at the Docklands Hub, as the existing community garden site wasn’t being used,’ Greg explained. ‘We were told that unless the community got behind it and did something with it, the land would be used for something else.’
‘So we got it going again, we started with five people and now we have about 215 volunteers with a regular schedule of events that we run - watering, weeding and fertilising. We're quite proud of our accomplishments.’
Greg explained that it’s difficult for Docklands residents to meet each other as many residents work and socialise outside the area, and it can be a relatively transient population.
Docklands Neighbourhood Partner, Fadi, with DCG garden volunteers at a recent community plant give-away
Greg loves digging up the soil, then nurturing plants as they grow and then enjoying the bounty of fresh organic food
Greg's wife Julie loves getting her hands dirty in the garden
‘Most of the friends myself and my wife Julie have made have been as a result of the garden.’
In February 2023, the DCG assisted with a community plant giveaway, with around 150 Docklands residents taking home a variety of vegetables and herbs to grow in pots on their balconies.
The plants were repurposed from a Melbourne Town Hall garden-bed display, with the Docklands community receiving around 400 plants.
Community garden volunteers were present on the day to answer questions and offer 'green thumb' tips.
‘We provided advice on the day to help residents know what to do with the plants they received,’ Greg explained. ‘Docklands is a very windy area, so we’ve had to mitigate the impact of wind on vegetable crops that go up in the air such as beans and tomatoes. Quite a few of us garden volunteers understand the principles.’
Besides the social benefits of getting involved the garden, the DCG also gives residents and workers access to locally grown organic fresh food.
Greg encouraged all Docklands residents and workers to come along to community events at the garden.
‘We regularly have events to do things like replanting for the coming season and invite the community along. We have picnic lunches for whoever comes along. Some people come just to meet fellow residents.’
There are two upcoming events in preparation for the autumn/winter season, the first will involve removing the remnants of summer crops and the second for planting of the autumn/winter crops.
Both events are weather-dependent so check the Docklands Community Garden Facebook Page for dates and times.
Greg said the DCG are always interested in talking to more volunteers, and that the garden is a great way to meet people.
The garden is entirely funded by volunteer efforts, so donations are always welcomed.
If you are interested in getting involved or donating, email Greg at wiseguy873@gmail.com.
The Docklands Community Garden produces its own fertiliser from a worm farm and composting organic waste
