Boys to the Bush in Young have taken the first steps in reinvigorating a local community garden thanks to the support of local businesses and the boys taking part in some of the programs a way to give back to the community.
The community garden located on Lynch Street, next to the Uniting Church, was popular and well loved, however, it fell to the wayside during COVID.
Matt Horder, Dean Bedford and Boro Navori came up with the idea to create a garden where everyone and anyone from the community can visit and build something that locals can utilise.
"It's about giving vulnerable young blokes a positive way to connect with their community, build real life skills and feel that sense of pride that comes from doing something meaningful," Matt said.
"For many of the boys in our programs, opportunities to contribute and feel genuinely valued don't come around often.
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"That's what makes this garden so powerful."
Last Friday Matt, Dean, Boro and a group from Cowra, cut up and constructed several beds with the help and assistance of staff from Bunnings Young, kicking off the first phase of the garden.
Local businesses were approached to donate towards the project with the garden beds with sponsorships available for $500 each, so far the list of supporting businesses continues to grow.
So far the sponsors include Sportspower/Horizons Young, Corbetts Tyres and Batteries, Trimech, Donges Supa IGA, SWS Bank, WD's Meats, Chappo's Plumbing, The Concrete Shed and Jeanie Walker.
Bunnings Young have supplied all the materials and some staff to help construct six of the garden beds, while Henley's Rustics have donated two corrugated garden beds and are going to donate two more.
Golden Glance Nursery have donated $500 worth of plants while Ballinaclash are donating some cherry trees as well as assisting with the planting and pruning of the trees to show the boys how to do it correctly.
Scotty's Earthmoving is sponsoring some soil as well as time and machinery to fill the garden beds and Tegra Young are donating compost, soil and mulch, not only to get the garden beds set up, but ongoing as needed as well.
Riding for the Disabled Young have also promised plenty of fertiliser for the project.
Hugh at Signs R Us will be creating custom signs for each of the sponsors to recognise their contribution and support.
Locals are being urged to get involved too with items that might be laying around such as garden benches or tables they may want to donate or even an old bathtub or similar so the boys can setup a worm farm.
The team is also putting the callout for anyone who may be able to build a pizza oven for the space.
"It's been fantastic the amount of support we've received from the community," Dean said.
"Everyone jumped on board."
Boys to the Bush is aiming for a spring launch of the newly revitalised Community Garden.
Anyone who would like to join in and get their hands dirty or by contributing or donating is being encouraged to contact Matt from Boys to the Bush by email at matt.horder@boystothebush.org.au or by calling 0487 014 866.
"Support won't just build a garden bed, it will build confidence, connection and community," Matt said.
"It gives these boys the chance to say, 'I helped make that. I gave back. I belong here.'
"That's something they'll carry with them."
