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April e-news

NSW Seniors Festival is coming up from the 14th April to the 24th April. We have collaborated with the festival organisers and are delivering some workshops and having a stand in at the International Convention Centre. The theme this year for Seniors Festival is In Our Nature. Of course, us gardeners know all about the health benefits of gardening. It's great physical exercise, helps maintain mobility and flexibility, and has terrific mental health and well being benefits too.

Now we know for sure how valuable our work is.
Studies have shown in a similar organisation in Western Australia how good the benefits are for them too - it seems just being around volunteer gardeners is enough to reap many social benefits, but that's probably not a surprise to many of you!

More help needed please
We'd love your help with some of the events we have engaged with - so if you think you can join in spreading the word - you might want to join in on one of the talks, workshops or garden walks in your local area - let us know. Booking links are in the individual notices below. If you can't make the Expo at Darling Harbour but would like to stream some of the content, you can get you free tickets here. If you want to come to the Expo - make sure you wear some of the ECG uniform so we can find you in the crowd, and register with us for a lucky door prize! The closest light rail stop is Exhibition Centre. Exit the ICC building via the escalators and walk along Moriarty Walk. Volunteers along the walkway will be able to direct you further.

Autumn 2021

Did you read the Autumn newsletter? Your can see it online here.

Keeping you up-to-date with our response to COVID-19

It is now just over a year since I wrote to explain how our service would be effected by the COVID pandemic. I would like to thank you for your patience during this time as we were forced to limit some of the shared benefits of our service. A limited gardening service was able to continue without morning and afternoon tea.

Our number one priority remains your safety and well-being. As vaccines are made available and restrictions reconsidered by the government, we are cautiously looking at ways to recommence morning and afternoon tea after Easter. This has been missed by everyone. Stay tuned for more advice from your coordinator, but the key thing to remember will be to BYO cup.

Additionally, Easy Care Gardening Inc. has resumed mulch deliveries and we will be able to continue with our visits as long as it remains safe to do so.

Glenn Stimpson, ECG Manager

HARD YARDS & GOODBYE'S!

The Tuesday morning group scaled some pretty incredible heights the other day at a house in Chatswood West. Pictured here are half mountain goat half EC gardeners Susie Beatty and Jane Keneally looking happy and perhaps equal parts exhausted! Jenny Nakhla, their coordinator said "Sue and Jane are members of the Tuesday ‘A’ Team who have been gardening together for the last 13 years. During that time the Team has gone through many changes with new volunteers coming and going, but always continuing on with the same enthusiasm and enjoyment and dedication to their clients."

The same group bids farewell to Karl Arbidans and Karen Bones after many years of dedication. Coordinator Jenny said "Karen Bones is leaving after 13 dedicated years of gardening. Karen has amassed an amazing 3,400 hours looking after our clients. Karl Arbidans, one of the Team Leaders retired on 9/3. They will be sorely missed by their Team and their clients with whom they have formed very special bonds. Special relationships have evolved over the years creating special memories. We thank them for their wonderful generosity and wish them well in the future."

TOP OF THE MORNING TO YOU....

Gardening Australia's Costa Georgiadis paid us a special visit on St Patrick's day to help out at one of our clients gardens - how lucky is that! We loved seeing him encourage our volunteers and getting stuck into the garden...even without a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow he reminded us of a garden Leprechaun! Check out our Facebook page here for more pics of the day...and watch Gardening Australia on Friday nights to see if you can spot us!

BREAKFAST WITH SIMON MARNIE!

Did you catch ABC's Simon Marnie chatting with our Patron Judy Horton on Saturday about Easy Care Gardening? One our clients, Suzy from Hornsby, even rang to share her experience -thank you Suzy! You can listen back here on our Facebook page.

WHY NOT JOIN US?

ECG is currently advertising for a part-time Coordinator to lead & supervise volunteer teams in the Hornsby area. This part-time position is for 22.5 hours, on Wednesday to Friday, plus Saturday morning fortnightly. If you wish to apply for the position please consult the position description available on the Ethical Jobs Website. Applications close 5:00 PM AEST, 6th Apr 2021, so if you know a horticulturist perfect for the job, we'd love you to share this with them in person or on our Facebook page or LinkedIn post.

Zoom in and Learn
Meredith Kirton will be presenting an online talk as part of the Hornsby Shire Council's Senior's Festival events. The aim is to educate others and inspire them to volunteer with Easy Care Gardening too!

Are you into bulbs?
We are hosting a bulb workshop with The City of Ryde. It's free (you get to take home a bulb bowl) for residents and we would LOVE some of our volunteers to go and help spread the word about Easy Care Gardening! If you can help on the day, please email marketing@easycaregardening.org.au
TO BOOK, GO TO THE NSW SENIORS FESTIVAL CITY OF RYDE BOOKLET or WEBSITE

Hungry for More?
If you're in the Hunter's Hill Local Government Area perhaps you'd like to join in this workshop? Bookings online.

Ever heard of Kokedama?
If you're in the Ku-ring-gai Local Government Area perhaps you'd like to join in this workshop? And go on a walk around Swain Gardens to learn some gardening tips and tricks while you're there.

Today is Trans Day of Visibility - an annual international celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements. At ECG our teams are enhanced by a diverse group of volunteers that we cherish and celebrate everyday, but especially acknowledge today.
#beseen

Flying Our Flag

We have ordered some tear drop banners to pop outside when we are gardening. Hopefully it will be a great way of telling people passing by that we are working in the community and encourage more volunteers. Your coordinators will have more details soon.

Forward Planning for 2021

If you belong to a group or organisation that might like to hear about Easy Care Gardening and the work our fabulous volunteers do, contact Meredith Kirton.to arrange a suitable time.
She can talk about creating an 'Easy Care Garden', how volunteers contribute, and what a difference it makes to our clients.

And don't forget to help us grow our social media. Jump on and follow us now!

Website Feedback
We have been making some small changes to the website, including adding some more pictures of our volunteers at work and play. If you have some images (old or new) that you would like to share for our gallery, we'd love to include them. Email marketing@easycaregardening.org.au

Find us online

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest Easy Care Gardening information and events or on our website.

Become a Volunteer
Not a volunteer yet? Know someone who might want to help out? Sign up to Easy Care Gardening from as little 3 hours a month and help someone live independently. Check out our website here.

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Stay up to date with the latest news...

Find us online

Become a Volunteer Not a volunteer yet? Know someone who might want to help out? Sign up to Easy Care Gardening from as little 3 hours a month and help someone live independently. Check out our website here.

Become a Volunteer
Not a volunteer yet? Know someone who might want to help out? Sign up to Easy Care Gardening from as little 3 hours a month and help someone live independently. Check out our website here.