The Malvern Depot Garden Club has been going strong for the last three years.

It was started when two of the existing members Drivers Ray Davitt & Greg Cornehls decided to approach the Malvern Depot Amenities Commitee for support to construct a small garden in a corner of the rear car park.

Over coffee they planned raised garden beds built from sleepers and committed to organic gardening principles. The mention of “organic” attracted the attention of Driver Farshid Khosravi and he has been busy propagating & nurturing plants there ever since.

Today the group also includes Drivers David Massey & John Luker. Others are welcome and there is a gender balance with several of the female staff interested in the garden. 

The organics are kept up by an active worm farm, constructed and managed by Farshid, just lift the lid on a warm day and you will realise how organic it is! The plants include vegies, herbs, chillies and fruit trees, not bad for an area the size of a one car garage! Its green and sustainable, suppling fresh herbs, lettuce, and cheap seedlings to staff at Malvern Depot. Now, planning includes a cultural orientation towards Asian, Indian and Mediterranean gardening, with relevant staff participating in plant selection and nurture.

Over the years monies have been raised from activities such as raffles and plant sales, this has primarily been for the purpose of donating to charities. These include assisting with funding for end of year dinners in two overseas Aged Care Homes, the Malvern Retired Drivers group, and Covid relief funds during the horrific outbreak in India. At the end-of-year 2021 event, 50% of funds raised will be donated to “Doctors without Borders” MSF. A group of health care workers, largely unpaid, providing much needed support for those effected by war, famine, and other unrest. Staff are welcome to provide suggestions as to where they feel donations should go.

With the support of the Amenities Committee at Malvern a lunch and entertainment were provided on Wednesday 15/12/21. This successful event was helped along by Karaoke, and many talented artists from the Malvern Staff.  Tarik joined in with a soulful solo and received a standing ovation!