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Photo by Billie Fairclough
Staff find an edible side to 'greening' an office
MUCH has been written on the need for cities to become more self-sufficient in food, but the WA Government agency, WorkCover, is one of Australia’s first city-based organisations to do something about it.
Staff have converted part of the agency’s office garden in Perth’s Shenton Park district into a vegetable plot in the hope that participants can grow at least one vegetable meal a week.
The idea may sound odd - but not when considered in relation to WorkCover’s broader “health and wellness program” for its employees. The agency, which regulates work injury management and vocational rehabilitation for the wider community, provides a wide variety of health-promoting activities for its own workers.
“A community garden, focusing on sustainability, healthy food, and the enjoyment of growing our own produce, provides the opportunity for gentle purposeful recreation, with an educational element, and is a logical extension of the health and wellness program,” says Su Lloyd, director of WorkCover’s Dispute Resolution Directorate.
(Ms Lloyd is picture right in the photo above with WorkCover client support officer Ellen Poole, coordinator Rhys Bonshore.)
“While the garden is in early stages of development, the general principle is that those who provide practical help in the garden are able to partake of the vegetables and herbs in a sustainable way,” says Ms Lloyd.
“We are fortunate that the project manager, Ellen Poole has significant horticultural experience and knowledge and provides guidance on the best vegetables and herbs for the location and season.”
