A group of 14 garden enthusiasts are doing more than just cultivating fruits and vegetables at the new Kumangka Community Garden, they are also cultivating connections.
Every Wednesday, they gather with shared passions - a love for the open air, the quiet joy of green-thumbing, and the warmth of each other’s company - and they have common goals of sharing the gardening, maintenance, and harvest while upholding the principles of sustainability, accessibility, inclusivity, community, education and innovation.
This 600 sqm piece of earth is tucked near the Southern Driveway at Minda North Brighton, which was once a tired site, but is slowly and surely, becoming a hive of activity.
Getting the garden off the ground has been a concerted effort, aiming for it to become governed by committee of local residents – operationally and financially independent – while still on the Minda footprint.
Offering much guidance in the process is Samantha who has poured much love (and admin support) into ensuring this garden is a blooming success.
“I have been volunteering with Minda for a couple of years, and I love gardening, so it was a good combination.”
“Garden member Pam took on the task of researching possible names for the garden. “Kumangka is a Kaurna word for “together” and we thought as a group, together was the most meaningful.
“It gives a sense of belonging; it is a community, and my hope is that everyone who comes here from now feels that welcome.”
Other members also expressed their pride in being part of an exciting time of growth, including Gill:
“I like coming here because I don’t have a garden at home, plus you meet people. Once you stop working, you miss that camaraderie and it’s just beautiful being outside.”
Kevin, who has been involved since the beginning, said: “Horticulture was my initial training and now I’ve come back to it in retirement. It’s great to get outside, away from the computer, and meet some like-minded people. I was a horticulturalist for a while then worked in research for 20 years in agriculture and other areas. I enjoy being outdoors - it’s good for my physical and mental health and a good opportunity to develop something new.”
Jill said: “I was doing hydrotherapy at the Minda pool nearby and it exposed me to more of what happens at Minda, so that’s why I wanted to get involved. It’s nice to see things grow and certain things bring back memories from childhood.”
Husband and wife, Anthony and Kaylene, are currently the only Minda clients involved, and have never missed a session since they joined in March 2025. Anthony likes watering the plants, while Kaylene enjoys pottering around the garden.
“I like it here, I like the gardening.”
The group recently demonstrated their passion for recycling and construction by building compost beds and raised garden beds from reclaimed materials, showing that gardening involves more than just planting. Now that the team can focus on nurturing, they need the help of more members, with plenty of project plans in the pipeline.
From planting native windbreakers around the boundary to making it fully accessible, there is much to do over the next few years.
If you want to share your skills or want to meet new people, then this community garden is for you.
To learn more about the garden and to get in touch, visit kumangkacommunitygarden.com
