In January, the finalists for 2009 Australian Of The Year gathered for a morning tea at The Lodge (the Canberra residence of the Australian Prime Minister). Looking at the lawns and rose bushes, Peter Cundall (one of the finalists, and an Australian gardening legend) put it to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd that he needed a vegie patch. Mr Rudd and his wife were apparently interested – he was raised on a farm in Queensland.
Peter would like to set up a 6-bed rotational organic garden at The Lodge, similar to the one he set up at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens that is regularly featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. He has lined up Joyce Wilkie and Michael Plane, experienced organic farmers from nearby Gundaroo, to help manage the vegie patch.
Pete had Pete’s Patch, so why not Kev’s Patch?
Stephanie Alexander, founder of the Kitchen Garden Foundation, restaurateur and author, has also called on the Rudds to set up a vegie garden at The Lodge. Stephanie has been working tirelessly to get kitchen gardens set up in schools across Australia, with gardening and cooking the produce incorporated into the curriculum.
So far, though, nothing has happened.
So let’s get some interest stirring in this project! Check out the Take Action page to find out how you can show that you’d like to see a vegie patch at The Lodge.
And don’t forget to come back here and check for updates. We’ll be posting more information, sample letters, links to supporters, etc as the campaign gets going.
