In Girgarre, a small northern Victorian town, the community nursery is doing more than growing plants. It is helping locals stay active, connected and proud of their town’s future.
After major setbacks in the early 2000s, including the closure of the Heinz factory, Girgarre began rebuilding around a donated parcel of land that became the Gargarro Botanic Garden.
With a $5,000 Gardiner Foundation Community Grant, the Friends of Gargarro Green Thumbs Nursery expanded operations, supported volunteer efforts and strengthened its financial sustainability. Volunteer labour and donated materials turned the small grant into a project worth up to $30,000.
Often described as the town’s “Men’s Shed,” the nursery brings people together while contributing to the botanic garden and the broader community. Doc McDonald says it is a clear example of how small investments and strong volunteers can build resilience in rural towns.
Watch Doc’s story to see how a small grant and a big idea helped Girgarre grow something special for generations to come.