Author: Ben Tancred

November/December 2019 News

Happy Herb Spiral day!

Big thanks to Kerrie Anderson, local Permaculture teacher, who guided the workshop participants through the theory and practice of building a Herb Spiral. Thanks to Tania from Woy Woy Community Garden who found free sandstone rocks on Gumtree and Kerrie helped us transport them to the garden – with help from Libby, Ben and Elia loading them up. The Herb Spiral grew rock by rock, bucket loads of compost and soil were added and finally a selection of herbs – each one place in the appropriate place – taking into consideration the best height (drier at the top, moister below) and whether on north side (more sun) or south side (less sun).Come and see it over summer – bring a watering can if you are able to give it a drink (there are taps on nearby buildings- hall and Arts Barn). Regular Volunteer days will recommence on Friday 10/1/20, 10am-12noon and continue on Monday’s and Friday’s 10-12noon.

Wonderful Wicking Bed 

Local Resource Queen Robyn Crosland ran us through the wicking bed design principles and showed us a demonstration version with rescued resources before we got busy making our very own wicking bed.
It was a wonderful team effort – first emptying the old “no dig” garden into buckets and wheelbarrows then re-building it as a Wicking bed -where the water is stored underneath the soil and ‘wicks’ its way up to the plants above. An overflow pipe was installed on the low side of the garden (to feed the citrus trees) and an inlet pipe sticks up like a chimney for adding water.

We already have corn sprouting in the wicking bed and the rhubarb plants that were transplanted from the old bed are looking very happy in their new water wise garden bed. We hope at least this garden bed is relatively drought proof as our 1000 Litre water tank is empty and our two steel tanks are very low.


Ideas so far for 2020:

monthly Repair Cafe and Boomerang Bags in Kariong Hall every 3rd Sunday of the month 10am-1pm (February to November)

Girrakool Blues Festival (volunteers needed to help collect redeemable bottles and cans)

Clean Up Australia Day (1st Sunday in March)

Muddy Mondays 

Tree planting day at Pioneer Dairy (late March)

Live Well festival in April

Love the Labyrinth workshop 

Frog and Fairy Garden Working bee

A visit from the ECO FAERIES  from WA in June

For the Love of Birds, Bees and Butterflies … workshops 

Another Solar Power day?

What would you like to see happen at Kariong Eco Garden in 2020 and beyond?
We welcome more active volunteers in the garden, the office and joining our management committee that meets most months.

We would like to wish everyone a safe and blessed Christmas and hope to see you in the garden in 2020.

October 2019 News

Last month’s Community Garden Week events were a great success.  Graham King taught us about soil and Graeme Ingall taught us about native plants.
We finished our new sand and paving floor.  Big thanks to Better Health Practices for their donation of pavers and Disability Options for lending a hand!

Last Month we had the great pleasure of hosting Central Coast Sports College’s Pre Kindy Club. The children and families had a wonderful time, despite the cold, rainy weather. Here is a short highlights video they put together.

Sadly on Monday 30/9/19 volunteers arrived to find our shed roller door kicked in, a still smouldering campfire, rubbish and graffiti on our beautiful new bench.

We are temporarily closing the garden – so there will be no volunteer mornings on Friday 4/10/19 or Monday 7/10/19, the long weekend.  If you are passing and are able to have a quick check in for any more damage please report problems to Lisa 0429 431 889 or Tony 0425 370 948 and we will report it to the Police Assistance Line 131 444.

Mondays and Fridays 10am – 12noon (from 11/10/19)
Jobs this month include: labelling our plants, a trip to metal recyclers (seeking volunteer truck or trailer), planning a fairy garden! Harvesting native raspberries – yum 🙂

Note a change for BOOMERANG BAGS this month – Sunday 20/10/19, 9.30am – 11.30am screen-printing pockets and demonstrating bag-making at the Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre Community Day. Donnison St, Gosford.

School Holiday ECO Kids 
Friday 11/10/19, 10am – 12noon Fabulous Fairies – calling all fairies and their friends to join us in the garden.
The garden needs some fairy magic! BYO fairy wings*, fairy stories, treasures to decorate the new fairy garden.
(*Lisa remembers her mum making some fairy wings with wire coat hangers and stockings..)

Share fairy stories, songs, activities. Bring fruit for morning tea. (There might be some fairy bread too!)
Gold coin donation. Children must bring a grown up. Bees, butterflies and dragonflies welcome too.

Date for your Diary:

  • Repair Cafe and Boomerang Bags this Sunday 17/11/19 in Kariong Hall, Dandaloo Street Kariong (next to the Eco Garden) 10am – 1pm.  Bring things to get fixed and contact us if you would like to be a volunteer repairer. Our hope is to hold a regular Repair Cafe on the 3rd Sunday each month – from February 2020.
    For more info please contact Wanda: heartbasedholisticliving@gmail.com
  • Monday 18/11/19  – planning our herb spiral construction – with old bricks and mud!!
  • Kariong Eco Garden and Hall car park closed on Thursday 21/11 & Friday 22/11 while the 2GO giant concrete tower is removed for good! Happy days.
  • Kariong Eco Garden Management Committee AGM – Friday 22/11/19 at 10am at Waterfall Cafe, Mt Penang Gardens – all positions declared vacant – and we will share dreams and hopes for 2020.
  • Muddy Monday 25/11/19 to construct the Herb Spiral with old bricks and mud – come and get muddy with us. Buckets of extra clay, sand, straw all welcome!

Friday 29/11/19 – 10am – 12noon Kerrie Anderson will guide us in making a herb spiral. Bring a herb to donate 🙂

Kerrie has a longstanding interest in sustainable living.  With a background in health, her focus is now on living in tune with nature, eating a healthy organic diet and growing her own produce.  Kerrie is a Permaculture and Meditation Teacher and is passionate about influencing others to make informed choices for a more sustainable future.  She is a member of Permaculture Central Coast, Permaculture Australia, a member of FIG (Food Integrity Group) Food Co-op, and a founding member of Matcham Holgate Produce Share.

Kerrie believes with good physical, emotional and spiritual health, and the support of quality information and skills, people can be empowered to live their life to the fullest, with consciousness and accountability.

Kerrie currently works as a TAFE Teacher and as a Facilitator in the community, delivering courses on permaculture and sustainability.  She is a skilled training facilitator, community connector and is very experienced in coaching individuals and groups in practical permaculture strategies.


Friday 6/12/19, 10am – 2pm Wicking Bed workshop with Robyn Crosland.  (Apologies from Peter Rutherford) Design principles explained and hands on making. BYO safety glasses (needed for about 10mins when we are handling perlite), We will provide dust masks, gloves and tools. $5 donation or free for financial members ($5 membership)

Our Vision
To be an inspiring example of how to live with nature and promote sustainable living.

Our Mission
To provide a point of reference for the local community on sustainable living, environmental awareness and the employment of ecological principles by providing learning opportunities and supporting programs run by others.

September 2019 News

As part of the Community Garden Week, we will be hosting these events supported by Central Coast Council:

Monday 9th September

10am – 12noon Talk about Soil by Graeme King, local permaculture lover covering the importance of healthy soil for nutrient-dense food. Plant sale and morning tea. Gold coin donation welcome.

11am Worm farming demonstration and Composting Activities for all ages (Find out about A.D.A.M. – Aliveness, Diversity, Air and Moisture)

Friday 13th September

10am – 12 noon Talk about Growing Native Plants by Graeme Ingall from the Australian Plant Society, covering local plants, where to purchase, growing conditions and habitat provided.  Plant sale and morning tea. Gold coin donation welcome.

Sunday 22nd September

Kariong Progress Association and Kariong Eco Garden are hosting a Solar Power Info Day on Sunday 22/9/19, 10am – 2pm in the Kariong Progress Hall, 2 Dandaloo Street, Kariong.

Lunch will be catered for everyone who registers by 16/9/19 – via email to kariongpa@gmail.com or phone 0429 431 889.

Kariong Progress Association has recently installed a 7.8 KW solar power system (with 6 KW inverter) on the roof of the community hall thanks to funding from Central Coast Council.

Tony Farina, President of Kariong Progress Association, says, “The aim of the day is to create a time and place for locals to share their knowledge about and experience with solar power, whether you already have a system and want to improve it or tell people about your experience or you are thinking of getting a solar power system and have some questions.”

Julian Bowker, Peninsula resident with a background in electronic engineering and computers will give an interactive talk on “Where does my energy money go?” showing how to monitor your electricity use. “It is really important for everyone to understand how they are using power and to know how to save money,” said Julian. Having performed audits for many local homes, he is patient when explaining what the options are.

Kariong Eco Garden President, Lisa Wriley, says “the Solar Power Info day is a must for anyone considering solar or with solar already.”

The Program:

10am Arrive and Browse Info on Display

10.10am Acknowledgement of Country

10.15am Welcome & Introductions

10.30am Launch of Kariong Progress Hall’s Solar Power Public Interface 10.40 Where does my energy money go? – Julian Bowker

11.00am Local Case Studies – Hear real experiences with solar panels, inverters, batteries, choosing a retailer, feed-in tariffs, installers, maintenance, DIY and passive solar design.

11.50am Central Coast Community Energy Assoc – Jo Muller

12noon Solar Power Panel – all speakers – have your questions ready! 12.30pm – Lunch & Electric Car Show & Tell in car park & time to browse Info displays

1.00pm Small Group Conversations – you choose from KPA/KEG – Kariong Kilowatt Counter;Community Environment Network – Climate Futures group; Central Coast Community Energy Assoc & Julian Bowker, Australian Conservation Foundation – Central Coast branch.


1.50pm Wrap Up and Thanks for coming


August 2019 News

Garden News

Steve and Elliah has made Progress on our Cycle of life sculpture. The beds have been prepared for spring planting and blueberries have been planted outside our fence!

Annual Fundraising Trivia Night

Kariong Eco Garden, established in 2005 and opened in 2007, is fundraising for its ongoing work “maintaining a living garden and providing a place of learning for sustainable and earth-friendly practices for families and other interested people in the local community”. 

We would love you to join us at our annual fundraising Trivia Night this Saturday 17/8/19 at 6pm, in Kariong Progress Hall, Dandaloo Street, Kariong.

Buy your $10/person (over 12 years of age) tickets at Kariong Neighbourhood Centre by 3pm on Friday or online here.

Our Quiz Master Jim Katrakilis has prepared some great questions to challenge us.

Chapmans Quality Fruit are donating a fresh Fruit & Vege tray for the raffle.

Colleen has donated a beautiful quilt to join other treasures on the Silent Auction table. 

There are lots of ECO giveaways donated by Council. It is a family friendly event!

Kariong Pizza have offered a special deal for our traditional pizza orders on the night:

$16 for Large size and $22 for family size

See menu here: https://www.thesupremepizza.com.au/traditional.html

Working Bee

Will be on the 24th of August, 10am – 2pm. Bring a wheelbarrow and shovel 🙂 Call Lisa on 0429431889 if you can donate rectangular pavers!

July 2019 News

GARDEN NEWS – We have had a tough month with
rubbish left by visitors, damage to our shed and fires.
Thanks to the Kariong Bush Fire Brigade and other
locals including business DOORCRAFT who have
helped us. Please report anti-social behaviour to the
Police Assistance Line 131 444.


Book into a free council Workshop to have your say
about WASTE (on 1/7/19 at Umina; 3/7/19 at Erina):
https://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/our-coast-our-waste.Want food waste collection, large scale composting and a Tip Shop or two?


BOOMERANG BAGS – Sunday 14/7/19, 9.30am –
12.30pm in Kariong Hall. Help make shopping bags
from donated fabric, to stock box at Foodworks.


Seed Saving & Plant Propagation workshop on
Friday 28/6/19, 10am – 11am. Free for KEG members
or $5 (includes KEG membership!). Just turn up 🙂


Thank you to Rotary Club of Kariong-Somersby for
their donation to our garden. Save the date for our
Annual Trivia night, Saturday 17/8/19, 6-9pm.
Donations of prizes and silent auction items sought.

June 2019 News

Garden News

Steve has installed wonderful metal sculptures and we have a resident artist painting the life cycle of four animals – come in and have a look! Mandarins are in season.

Volunteer mornings in the garden are every Monday from 10 – 12 at Kariong Eco Garden, Dandaloo St. Contact Lisa on 0429 431 889.

https://www.facebook.com/events/217846138221889

World Environment Day on 5 June

Is the deadline to take part in a short online survey about waste in the Central Coast:

http://www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/our-coast-our-waste

We will be calling for food waste collection and large scale composting and a Tip Shop or two!

Boomerang Bags

Due to the long weekend we will move Boomerang Bags back a week to Sunday 16/6/19 9:30 – 12:30pm in Kariong Progress Hall. Help make shopping bags from donated fabric! Contact Lisa on 0429 431 889

https://www.facebook.com/events/217846138221889

From little things big things Grow

Seed Saving & Plant Propagation workshop on Friday 28/6/19, 10 am – 12 noon. Free for KEG members or pay $5 membership fee on the day. Contact Lisa on 0429 431 889

Carey Buls, a local gardener and volunteer at the Council nursery will
share her knowledge and skills with us. She has a keen interest in 
natives but still has time for vegetables and flowers. She will show us several 
different ways to plant seeds,   and share her ideas for creating more space using containers or even wheelbarrows.

https://www.facebook.com/events/292249551678216

Thanks to everyone who helped with our Mother Earth Market on 11/5/19!

May 2019 News

GARDEN NEWS – Volunteers and visitors have been eating bananas grown in the garden, making compost, planting seedlings, watering with our rainwater, cleaning up the ponds and talking about the climate crisis and things we can do.  

BOOMERANG BAGS – due to Mothers’ Day, a day early on Saturday 11/5/19, 1.30pm – 4.30pm, in Kariong Progress Hall. Come along and help make shopping bags out of donated fabric. Bring a sewing machine if you have one or just turn up and help out with pinning on pockets, ironing, sewing or making cups of tea!  The bags are for stocking the Bag Share box at Kariong Foodworks.

SPECIAL EVENT: Mother Earth Market Day in Dandaloo St, Kariong SATURDAY 11 MAY, 2-5PM
Home-made items, cards, succulent fairy gardens, local crafts, soy candles, sauces, jams, chutneys, honey, locally baked sourdough bread.  Ten minute $10 massage.  10 stalls – get your Mothers’ Day gifts here or a treat for yourself!
Don’t miss the BEE TALK AT 2.30PM with Robyn, local amateur Bee-keeper.

BUSHCARE IN KARIONG – is taking a break.  Please phone the Council Bushcare Officer 4325 8222 if you are keen to be a volunteer bush regenerator in Kariong or elsewhere in the Central Coast.

Find us behind the Kariong Progress Hall, in Dandaloo St. Next to the Tennis Court and playground. Find out more on our facebook page or website: www.kariongecogarden.org.au

April 2019 News

Thank you to all our volunteers who helped at
Girrakool Blues Festival. We raised $510.90 from 10c
refunds on bottles and cans!

Don’t forget you can take bulk beverage containers
to Envirobank for refunds, Mon – Fri 9am – 3pm and
Saturday 8am – 4pm, Unit 6, 18 Nells Road, West
Gosford https://envirobank.com.au/gosford-depot/

BUSHCARE – We are looking for a new volunteer to
co-ordinate Bushcare and more willing workers
Council provides a surpervisor, on the job training
and tools. Gentle weeding or if you have lots of
energy we have some lantana with your name on it!

GARDEN NEWS – We are very sad that one of our
long time volunteers, Rob, is retiring. Welcome Steve
and Caroline.

Stay tuned for Mother Earth Market Day in May!
Find us behind the Kariong Progress Hall, in Dandaloo
St. Find out more on our facebook page or website:
www.kariongecogarden.org.au