Cultivating Community
Cultivating Community is an accredited social enterprise. We offer a variety of fee for service and free activities that are related to cooking, baking, gardening, waste management, ESG and greener economies.
Brighton Communal Garden Summer Green Gatherings
Between Monday 6 January 2025 and Monday 17 February 2025
Come and join the journey of growth, sustainability, and togetherness by being a part of a gardening community.
The team from Cultivating Community will guide this initiative, providing support and expertise to help your garden thrive. As we grow this garden together, we look forward to witnessing the growth of not just plants, but a strong and resilient community that reaps the rewards of this collaboration.
Resilient Summer Gardens
Join us for a hands-on summer series focused on creating resilient gardens that thrive in the heat! Each session will dive into essential topics such as soil health and pH testing, growing techniques for summer crops, harvesting, composting, pest and disease control, effective summer watering strategies, and general garden maintenance. Be part of the garden's care and management as we work together to nurture a productive and
vibrant communal space.
Brighton Communal Garden
Cultivate, Cook and Connect - Gardening & Cooking workshops
Experience the joy of gardening and cooking in our engaging workshops, designed for all ages! Each session includes a 1-hour gardening workshop followed by a 1-hour cooking class. This intergenerational series offers a space for young and old to share skills, stories, and experiences.
Wednesday, 8th January, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Learn the basics of summer gardening—what different plants need—then enjoy a Greek cooking class.
Friday, 17th January, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Discover how to harvest and save seeds, followed by a Lebanese dips and pickling workshop.
Wednesday, 22nd January, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Explore the journey from seeds to plate in 7 weeks, then make Italian pizza and bread.
Friday, 31st January, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Create an edible flower garden and learn to extend produce shelf life, followed by a session on creative ways to use excess produce.
Sign up to secure your spot today—free and open to all ages!
Under 16 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
Highett st Community Garden
Brighton Communal Garden Volunteer Tuesdays
Between Tuesday 17 December 2024 and Tuesday 25 February 2025
come and join the journey of growth, sustainability, and togetherness by being a part of a gardening community.
The team from Cultivating Community will guide this initiative, providing support and expertise to help your garden thrive. As we grow this garden together, we look forward to witnessing the growth of not just plants, but a strong and resilient community that reaps the rewards of this collaboration.
Dg in & make a difference!
Looking to get involved in the garden without the commitment of regular planning? Tuesdays are dedicated to keeping the garden in top shape with tasks like upkeep, maintenance, and general odd jobs. Join Michele, our Horticultural Specialist, who will guide you through the day’s activities, sharing expertise and ensuring that every hour in the garden makes a lasting impact.
Brighton Communal Garden
Paddock to Pickle Workshop
Thursday 16 January 2025
This Paddock to Pickle workshop is delivered at the lush rooftop garden at Burwood Brickworks – After harvesting some rooftop garden produce we will show you the tastiest and easiest way to pickle your items. You will leave with your own pickles to enjoy over the forthcoming Autumn months.
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Scarecrow Making Workshop
Friday 17 January 2025
Repeating last years workshop this session is for a parent together with a young person ( 7 upwards) to learn how to make a scarecrow - who knows it may well replace Robert and Roberta our current scarecrows based at the Rooftop Garden for 2025.
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Harvest and Swap Session
Saturday 1 February 2025
Come and learn how to harvest produce as well as take part in a Food Swap.
Leave with a bag of seasonal produce as well as perhaps some other lovely items from the rooftop food swap.
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Grow Your Knowledge - Free Gardening Workshops
Between Tuesday 25 February 2025 and Tuesday 25 March 2025
Join Cultivating Community for a hands-on gardening journey led by our Horticulturist Specialist! Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, these workshops are perfect for learning new skills and connecting with your community.
25th February 1-2pm - Planting with a purpose
11th March 1-2pm - Composting Made Simple
25th March 1-2pm - Seasonal Planting
Spotswood Community House
Cultural Herb Growing Workshop
Sunday 15 December 2024
Learn to plant and pot a variety of cultural herbs to help inspire the Summer Salads and dishes you love to cook and embrace the multicultural tastes of our community.
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
How to make your own small wicking bed!
Saturday 7 December 2024
Learn to create your own Portable Wicking bed planted with some Summer seasonal items. You will leave with your own Bucket Bed to take away.
This workshop will make clever use of recycled materials to create a wicking bed to carry away with you after the workshop
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
The Gardeners Christmas
Friday 29 November 2024
The Gardeners Christmas Workshop – a chance to be inspired by nature for Christmas gift Ideas. As Christmas is less than a month away join us at the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Center rooftop garden for a hands-on workshop to be get your gardening creativity fully pumped!
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Green Gathering Brighton
Between Monday 5 August 2024 and Monday 25 November 2024
Come and join the journey of growth, sustainability, and togetherness by being a part of a gardening community at Airlie st Communal Garden in Brighton.
Monday 5th August: Seedling Propagation
Monday 19th August: Greening Balcony Workshop
Monday 2nd September: Garden Maintenance and Seed Propagation
Monday 16th September: Planting and Maintenance of Summer Crops
Monday 30th September: School Holiday Program - Little Explorers (Ages 3-5 with parents) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Monday 30th September: School Holiday Program - Little Explorers (Ages 6-8 with parents) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Monday 14th October: Cooking Workshop
Monday 28th October: Summer Garden Prep: Maintenance and Harvest Planning
Monday 11th November: Garden-related Activity Run by Residents
Monday 25th November: Creative Harvest Workshop
Communal Garden Airlie st Brighton
Portable Wicking Bed Workshop
Tuesday 19 November 2024
Join Cultivating Community for a hands-on workshop led by our Horticulturist Specialist, and learn how to create your own portable wicking bed – a water-efficient and easy-to-maintain gardening solution perfect for small spaces! Whether you're new to gardening or want to try a sustainable approach to growing your own food, this workshop will guide you through the entire process, from setting up your bed to planting seedlings that you can nurture and harvest at home.
What You’ll Get:
Step-by-step guidance on building your own wicking bed
Insight into water-wise gardening techniques and soil care
Tips for growing seasonal veggies and herbs in your portable bed
A portable wicking bed complete with seedlings to start growing your own harvest!
Spotswood Community House
Green Gathering Prahran
Between Monday 15 July 2024 and Monday 18 November 2024
Come and join the journey of growth, sustainability, and togetherness by being a part of a gardening community at Bangs st Communal Garden.
29th July: Creative Harvest
12th August: Greening Balcony Workshop
26th August: Getting Ready for Spring: Garden Maintenance and Planting
6th September: Creative Harvest Workshop
9th September: Cooking Workshop
20th September: Creative Harvest Workshop
23rd September:
School Holiday Program - Little Explorers (Ages 3-5 with parents)
School Holiday Program - Little Explorers (Ages 6-8 with parents)
4th October: Creative Harvest
7th October: Summer Garden Prep: Maintenance, Planting, and Community Planning
18th October: Creative Harvest Workshop
21st October: Cooking Workshop
25th October: Creative Harvest Workshop
4th November: Planting and Maintenance of Summer Crops
18th November: Summer Garden Prep: Maintenance and Harvest Planning
Communal Garden Bangs st Prahran
Recycling your scraps and compost workshop
Wednesday 13 November 2024
Learn different ways to convert your scraps into rich compost.
Boort Community Garden
Public Housing Community Gardens tour - Rollickin' Richmond (CANCELLED)
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Join Cultivating Community for a guided tour of Richmond’s vibrant public housing community gardens. Starting at Lennox Street Community Garden near Victoria Street, this tour will showcase diverse plants grown by local residents, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the area, with a focus on Asian and European crops. You’ll visit a small open communal garden before continuing to Highett Street Community Garden at the corner of Belgium Avenue and Vere Street, where you’ll discover more about the plants and traditional gardening techniques used in these spaces.
The tour will highlight the significance of produce grown, with a tasting at the end to explore how they’re used in cooking. This is a great opportunity to learn about urban agriculture, cultural connections, and the role community gardens play in enhancing food security and sustainability.
Date: November 12, 2024
Time: 10-11am and 11-12pm
Meeting Point: Lennox St Community Garden
End Point: Highett St Community Garden
Lennox st Public Housing Community Garden
Community Garden tour
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Join Cultivating Community for a guided tour of Richmond’s vibrant public housing community gardens on November 12, 2024. Start at Lennox Street Community Garden, visit a small communal garden, and finish at Highett Street Community Garden. Along the way, discover diverse plants grown by local residents, reflecting the area’s rich cultural heritage and traditional gardening techniques.
The tour will emphasize the importance of food security, sustainability, and cultural connections, ending with a tasting that showcases how the produce is used in cooking.
Cultivating Community is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to fostering social connection, food security, and environmental sustainability for culturally diverse and low-income communities. We manage community gardens, run cooking and employment programs, and promote lifelong learning.
Time: 11-12:30 am
Meeting Point: Lennox St Community Garden
End Point: Highett St Community Garden
Lennox Community Garden
PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY GARDENS TOUR - ROLLICKIN' RICHMOND
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Join Cultivating Community for a guided tour of Richmond’s vibrant public housing community gardens on November 12, 2024. Start at Lennox Street Community Garden, visit a small communal garden, and finish at Highett Street Community Garden. Along the way, discover diverse plants grown by local residents, reflecting the area’s rich cultural heritage and traditional gardening techniques.
The tour will emphasize the importance of food security, sustainability, and cultural connections, ending with a tasting that showcases how the produce is used in cooking.
Cultivating Community is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to fostering social connection, food security, and environmental sustainability for culturally diverse and low-income communities. We manage community gardens, run cooking and employment programs, and promote lifelong learning.
Time: 11-12:30 am
Meeting Point: Lennox St Community Garden
End Point: Highett St Community Garden
Lennox st Community Garden
Tomato Growing for balcony and small spaces
Saturday 2 November 2024
Learn how to grow Tomato's within small spaces and balcony settings.
You will leave with top tips and a Rooftop grown seedling to look after!
Rooftop Garden at Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Soil Health Workshop
Wednesday 30 October 2024
Learn about soil health and soil improvement to help make your vegetable garden grow
Boort Community Garden
Soil health and composting workshop
Thursday 17 October 2024
Learn how to make compost and keep your soil healthy to grow beautiful fruit and vegetables.
Inglewood Community Garden
Food Systems Future Information Session
Between Thursday 12 September 2024 and Tuesday 17 September 2024
A new program is being curated by Cultivating Community and
St Stephens Anglican Church, Richmond. Come along to either of the following information sessions to hear more about the program and have your input into the timings that work best for your students. Register your interest to attend one of the following sessions
Saint Stephens Anglican Church
Food Systems Future Information Session
Tuesday 13 August 2024
A new program is being curated by Cultivating Community and
St Stephens Anglican Church, Richmond. Come along to either of the following information sessions to hear more about the program and have your input into the timings that work best for your students. Register your interest to attend one of the following sessions
Saint Stephens Anglican Church
Community Garden Working Bees at Inglewood Community Garden
Between Friday 28 June 2024 and Friday 19 July 2024
Stage 1 help build wicking beds on Friday 28th of June 11am
Stage 2 Planting day on Friday 19th of July 12pm
Inglewood Community Garden
Baked Wonder -make your own seed bomb childrens workshop
Friday 12 July 2024
All "Baked Wonder" loyalty card holders Children and their carers are welcome to come and make their own seed bombs to throw in their garden at home; seeds will include flowers and seasonal vegetables. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of their participation.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm
Farming with the Farmer @ Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (CANCELLED)
Wednesday 3 July 2024
Explore the world of urban farming with a special 2-day learning program designed for teenagers (ages 14 to 18) at Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm! Join us for two days of hands-on practical horticultural experience where you'll work alongside Gabi, our expert in sustainability and farming. You'll dive into the essentials of plant health, sustainable farming practices, and the dynamics of urban agriculture. This hands-on program is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical skills and insights into the future of farming in urban spaces. Don’t miss out on this unique educational adventure!
Duration of event: 10am to 1pm on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Bring your lunch or purchase it from the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre
Please wear sturdy boots suitable for farming.
Please wear clothing to suit the weather, this program will run no matter what the weather.
Looking forward to seeing you up at the farm!
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm
Tool Maintenance at Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (CANCELLED)
Thursday 20 June 2024
Join us at Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm for a Tool Maintenance Workshop. Learn how to care for your garden tools to keep them in top condition. You will leave with your own tool maintenance kit.
This practical session will cover cleaning, sharpening, and storing your tools, ensuring they last longer and work more effectively. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your gardening skills and tool longevity. See you at the rooftop!
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm
Make your own Kokedama Ball @ Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Far (CANCELLED)
Thursday 13 June 2024
Learn this creative way of cultivating plants in a ball, not only can this be aesthetically pleasing and a creative DIY activity. In this workshop, you will learn how to bring the kokedama trend into your home.
Each participant will learn how to make their own Kokedama ball.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm
Cultivating Heritage; Cultural Gardening for CALD women
Between Tuesday 23 April 2024 and Tuesday 11 June 2024
These workshops aim to support CALD women in Whitehorse City Council with culturally appropriate gardening knowledge and input for growing food at the Rooftop Farm. The series includes:
1) Rooftop farm tour and fresh food box access,
2) Making transportable wicking bed gardens,
3) Culturally appropriate food growing techniques,
4) Farm planting and harvesting,
5) Harvesting and cooking cultural food at the farm, and
6) Community garden utilization. CALD women's input on cultural food choices is sought.
Workshop content;
16th May - how compost
23rd May - harvesting and cooking related
28th May - harvesting and cooking related
11th June - gardening related
Workshops are free, providing resources for home gardening and fostering community connections.
Rooftop Farm, Burwood Brickworks
Cooking on a Budget (CANCELLED)
Between Monday 6 May 2024 and Monday 27 May 2024
Cooking class to educate participants on different ways to reduce their grocery bills. 4 sessions over 4 weeks for participants aged 18 and over
North Richmond Community Kitchen
Inglewood Community Garden - have your say
Friday 3 May 2024
A chance to gather and have an input on how you would like to use the community garden.
Inglewood Community Garden at front of Inglewood District Health
Boort Community Garden - have your say
Wednesday 1 May 2024
Come and have your say and input to help shape the Boort Community Garden
Boort Community Garden past the car park at Boort District Health
High Rise Baking - Richmond
Between Friday 12 January 2024 and Friday 29 March 2024
Come and join our Friday baking sessions in the Community Garden on Belgium Avenue / Highett Street. Join us to make social connections, learn new skills and create baked items for the Caravan Cafe -a thriving social enterprise pop up cafe each Friday run by BANH
Highett Street Community Garden
Food Cube Wicking Garden Beds information Workshop
Thursday 1 February 2024
This free workshop will introduce you to the perfect planter for your home urban farm, school or community garden. The Foodcube is an advanced wicking bed designed to suit the harsh Australian climate and keep your plants alive for long periods with its huge water-holding capacity and wicking cones.
Wicking beds are ideal as they are a closed-loop gardening system where water is held in the water reservoir below the garden bed, ideal for food crops such as vegetables and herbs.
Darren Varney from Food Cube will be presenting and will be able to answer all your Foodcube questions.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm
Scarecrow Making Workshop
Thursday 1 February 2024
Come and learn how to make a scarecrow in our 3rd and final workshop in the series and consider entering the Burwood Brickworks Summer Scarecrow Competition for the Rooftop Farm
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
HOBSONS BAY CITY COUNCIL Grow your own vegetable patch (CANCELLED)
Saturday 20 January 2024
Do you want to grow your own portable vegetable garden at home but have limited knowledge and outdoor space?
Are you a Health Care Card holder?
Join us for a series of free workshops delivered by Cultivating Community. Seedlings and materials will be provided to get you started on your gardening journey.
Brooklyn Community Hall
Kitchen Library Workshop
Friday 22 December 2023
Come visit the Kitchen Library - a space where you can borrow kitchen equipment like a book library providing you access to equipment you don't usually have at home to cook things you would love to make. There will be a demonstration this Friday and local entertainment..
Carlton Kitchen Library
Summer Vegetable Gardening and Troubleshooting
Thursday 14 December 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Summer Berries - Cooking Demonstration (CANCELLED)
Wednesday 13 December 2023
Come and join us at the rooftop farm at Burwood Brickworks in the community hub food garden for a summer cooking demonstration by our CEO and former leading Chef Rob Rees MBE DL - Rob will cook a sample of different summer Berry dishes. This demonstration will also include some light refreshments to enjoy whilst you watch and relax at this rustic demonstration in one of the most gorgeous urban rooftop farms locations Melbourne has to offer.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Cooking for Beginners
Between Wednesday 1 November 2023 and Wednesday 13 December 2023
This is a two-hour session to learn basic cooking skills each week Wednesday until December 13th. Delivered by our North Richmond Cooking Coordinator Eloise. If you are stuggling with basic cooking skills and looking to learn how to budget, manage waste better and come up with some tasty wholesome food - then join these FREE sessions
Community Kitchen 106
The Joy of Herbal Teas
Thursday 7 December 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Organic Pest Management
Thursday 16 November 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
All about WORM FARMS
Thursday 9 November 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Cooking for Beginners
Between Wednesday 4 October 2023 and Wednesday 25 October 2023
These FREE sessions are designed to help you to be able to cook, shop and budget better as well as minimize your food waste. Led by Cultivating Community these free sessions will help progress your skills in a fun, relaxed and understanding environment. Its never easy to step into a course for beginners but our facilitators and team will put you at ease and take you on a simple culinary skills journey.
Community Kitchen
Creative Plant Label Making
Thursday 19 October 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
October Seasonal Cooking Demonstration (CANCELLED)
Thursday 12 October 2023
This is the first of our Spring into Summer Cooking demonstrations based at the Rooftop Farm at Burwood Brickworks. A rustic, relaxed, and outdoor event (weather permitting) will informally showcase some of our seasonal produce combined with great suppliers within our collaborations and networks. Our CEO Rob Rees MBE DL will lead the cooking demonstration having had many years' experiences of cooking around the globe. The series of cooking demonstrations during the Spring and Summer will cover many topical areas such as reducing food waste, the circular economy, getting best of summer berries, inspiring fish, great value meat cuts, tasty vegetarian and more.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Native Bush Foods
Thursday 5 October 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
Growing from Seeds
Thursday 14 September 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
North Richmond Kitchen Gardens Club
Friday 8 September 2023
Meeting at the 106 Tower Kitchen Garden these sessions are available for anyone who lives, works or visits the North Richmond area - a chance to come together over the shared value of gardening. Each session will provide gardening topes and techniques for the season and need of the kitchen garden at the time. A chance to get hands on looking after plants, soils and flowers and vegetables. Pop along and join a like- minded community - do register in advance though!
The Kitchen Garden
Edible Flowers Workshop
Thursday 7 September 2023
Come join the local community at the Community Hub Food Garden on the rooftop in the stunning farm area. These workshops supported by Open Gardens Victoria will help enhance knowledge and skills and allow you to be both passive and active in this location.
Burwood Brickworks Rooftop Farm (Cultivating Community)
