Jill Meredith receives award for community garden

Ms Jill Meredith has been awarded a community service award by Member for Gosford, Ms Liesl Tesch, for her work establishing the Woy Woy Peninsula Community Garden.

Ms Meredith, aside from being the garden's current coordinator, is a member of the Peninsula Environment Group.

She is a registered nurse with over 35-years-worth of healthcare experience with a number of degrees including a Bachelor of Nursing and a Diploma of Clinical Nutrition.

A jack of all trades, she has also run her own business, Coastal Health Solutions, for more than 21 years.

Ms Tesch said she was "proud to recognise Jill's contribution to life on the Peninsula".

"This is a well-deserved honour for Jill who has built a little bit of paradise in Woy Woy." Ms Tesch said.

"Whether it's at the garden, or at work in the health industry, Jill is always giving back to the community and I know that will continue into the future - making the Peninsula an even better place to live."

The Woy Woy Peninsula Community Garden in Moana St, Woy Woy, is currently maintained by volunteers, who have the reward of sharing of produce amongst each other.

Ms Meredith started her push for the garden in 2011 to help protect important community land from being sold off.

Gosford Council gave its approval in January 2012 and, in less than 18 months, the garden was coming to life with timber garden beds, produce growing plants, herbs and a colourful mural.

The community garden group also provides education on environment sustainability, and information on how to design and create your own masterful garden.

Ms Tesch said she encouraged locals to get involved with a community garden near them and to sign up and become a volunteer.

"We have so many great local community gardens and getting involved with the Woy Woy Community Garden is a great way to get out and about, meet your neighbours and build something beautiful in your area.

"People can just sign up.

"There are no fees, and no need to have prior garden knowledge."

Ms Tania Haydn, who nominated Ms Meredith, revealed her friend's deep passion for nature and the community.

"The last six years has seen her build and maintain this garden, providing a meeting place for people of all ages, all cultures and all experiences to share the healthy activity of growing food." Ms Haydn said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 7 Dec 2017

Richard Mehrtens, Office of Liesl Tesch MP