Free garden club for children in Sunbury

Lina Schiafone with her three-year-old grandson Tyler. Photo: Dennis Manktelow

Greenthumb Lina Schiafone runs a free garden club for children in Sunbury.

The grandmother teaches children how to tend a vegetable garden and how to make fresh lemonade, among other types of garden-craft.

The Sunbury resident invites any child to attend the club, which runs on the last Saturday of every month from 10am at Sunbury Community Garden.

Mrs Schiafone was inspired to start the self-funded club because she believes that teaching children to grow and use their own produce “creates a brighter future for everyone”.

The volunteer was able to get the club up and running through Hume council’s free Enviro Champions Training program.

This year, Hume mayor Geoff Porter is encouraging more residents to take up the opportunity to get their idea for an environmental project off the ground.

“The Enviro Champions Program not only provides a free training opportunity, it also allows you to design and deliver an environmental project that can make a real and lasting impact,” Cr Porter said.

“By participating in the program, you become part of a great social network of community members who advocate and take action for the environment.”

Find out more about getting involved at hume.vic.gov.au/envirochampions. Registrations close on February 16.