The Harcourt Progress Association has successfully secured $49,910 in funding from the Tiny Towns Fund to create a new Community Garden at the Harcourt Valley Community House.
The funding comes at an important time for the Harcourt community, who are working through recovery and starting to rebuild six months on from the devastating January bushfire.
Visiting the community house last Thursday, MP Maree Edwards said it is a really great announcement for the community.
“While this investment cannot undo the impacts of the fires, it will contribute to the community’s ongoing recovery by creating a welcoming space where residents can come together, reconnect, and support one another – and benefit from a community garden,” she said.
The Bendigo West MP said she is hopeful that the Coolstore, which was completely destroyed, will be up and running in the not too distant future.
“There were so many local businesses impacted by the loss of the Coolstore, and there is a lot of work to be done to rebuild,” she said.
“There is obviously a lot of trauma associated with a very horrible fire like we had here in Harcourt, and recovery takes a very long time, but this community is incredibly resilient.
Harcourt Valley Community House Voluntary Manager Jeanette Teague said the community garden will be a great way to bring the community together.
“And it’s a great way to grow fruit and vegetables – good wholesome food we can provide to our community in the recovery and going forward,” she said.
“We also host community lunches every Friday. Many of the people who come have been directly impacted by the fires, and it gives them that contentedness and an opportunity to get together – there’s been lots of new friends made.”