Emma Pritchard

It isn’t just the trees, blossoming shrubs, and well tendered to veggie patches which are growing in the Yamba Community Garden.

After applying for and subsequently receiving a grant of close to $14000 through the Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) last month, the popular recreational area in Wattle Park is set to expand by 200m2, creating additional space for more Clarence Valley residents to enjoy outdoor activities while fostering an inclusive environment and promoting sustainability within the Lower Clarence.

CEO of the NRCF Sam Henderson told the Clarence Valley Independent the funds were awarded to the Yamba Community Garden through the 2024/25 Community Grants Program, which recognises recipients who exemplify diverse and inspiring work being undertaken throughout the Northern Rivers region.

“The NRCF was founded 20 years ago, and the work it does is essential as it raises funds for the community by the community, and it is the community which selects where the funds are effectively distributed,” he revealed.

“What makes it so incredible is this is community generated money which benefits grassroots organisations like the Yamba Community Garden.

“We raise donations from local businesses, individual philanthropists, and other foundations, and we pool these resources, so they are ethically and sustainably invested prior to being distributed throughout Northern Rivers communities.”

Mr Henderson said the Yamba Community Garden was among 21 grant recipients from more than 80 applicants, adding they were selected by a panel made up of community representatives from every Local Government Area (LGA) in the Northern Rivers.

“The Yamba Community Garden encapsulates the hard work of a wonderful network of locals who have come together to create a space which benefits so many within their community,” he said.

“Along with building community connections, they also host a variety of local events and support other local organisations.

“This funding will enable them to expand their location in accordance with their growing popularity.”

Secretary of the Yamba Community Garden Committee Mel Scrace was thrilled when she learned they had been successful in securing funding through the 2024/25 Community Grants Program after applying to the NRCF earlier this year.

With membership numbers and visitors to the Yamba Community Garden continuing to increase, she said it’s important the facilities are proactively enhanced and developed to accommodate local enthusiasm while remaining a welcoming and sustainable place for everyone to enjoy.

“The garden is a really lovely space, and it is a haven for a lot of people who come here,” she explained.

“We’ve reached nearly 140 members, and there are also a few over 50s lifestyle resorts being built nearby where a lot of residents don’t have much room for a garden of their own to tend to.

“We want to try and increase what we do in terms of connecting with the wider community.

“People come here for solace, they come here to do some gardening alongside their friends and families, and they come here because they love this space.

“Everyone is welcome here, and we’re really excited to receive this funding so we can provide more space for people to enjoy themselves.”

Ms Scrace said the expansion of the Yamba Community Garden, which is currently 800m2, will commence as soon as the funds are transferred, allowing members to begin purchasing the necessary materials to undertake the work which will include building additional garden beds and a water reticulation system.

Through the years, the NRCF has distributed more than $2.5 million throughout the Clarence Valley.