Following a competition to find the kings or queens of gardens for the Taree phone directory’s area of coverage, Wingham’s Chelsea Hands has been crowned and will be heroed on the front cover of this year’s 2017/18 Taree Yellow Pages and White Pages book.
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The Taree directory covers an area from Coopernook down to Smith’s Lake, and extends west of Gloucester.
The search for the ‘Taree’s Gardening Great’ exists as a result of a partnership between the Yellow Pages, White Pages and the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network (ACFCGN).
It is a first of its kind venture that will see all directories used to celebrate the achievements of the ACFCGN, who work to promote the benefits of community gardening and urban agriculture.
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Chelsea is the co-ordinator of the Manning Valley Community Gardens in Wingham, and she impressed a panel of judges from the Yellow Pages, White Pages and the ACFCGN, after she entered an image of the striking garden, along with her creative gardening tip, demonstrating her love and passion of gardening and urban agriculture.
Chelsea submitted her photo and tip last year, and promptly forgot about her entry. That is, until a photographer turned up to take a picture of Chelsea in the garden just before Christmas.
“When I found out I had been chosen as Taree’s Garden Great, I was totally shocked but very excited to accept the title,” Chelsea said.
“I have been gardening my whole life (24 years) and have found no better way to relax and be creative, while also contributing to making my community more sustainable and beautiful. I hope my gardening tip will inspire others in the region to get out and start a garden of their own.”
I have been gardening my whole life and have found no better way to relax and be creative, while also contributing to making my community more sustainable and beautiful.
- Chelsea Hands
Not only will Chelsea and her inspired garden appear on the cover of this year’s Yellow Pages and White Pages Taree book, but her gardening tip, and the secret to her healthy garden, will appear on the inside of the front cover for local residents to use, alongside details of the remarkable work that the ACFCGN do in the area.
“We are excited to see the nation’s gardening kings and queens celebrated on the cover of our directories over the coming months and hope to encourage more Aussies to get their hands dirty and relish the benefits of gardening too, “ said Yellow Pages spokesperson, Erin Williamson.
A volunteer network, the ACFCGN facilitates the formation and management of over 600 community gardens and similar social enterprises across the nation, by making important information attainable. The network aims to promote the benefits that community gardens and urban farms can bring to local communities, while also endorsing the positive impacts on individual health and well-being.
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“Community gardens are a place where people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can participate, create and learn, contributing to a happier and healthier lifestyle. We are excited by the partnership with the Yellow Pages and White Pages and eager to use this platform to promote the benefits of community gardening and encourage more people to get involved with the network,” Chris Brown, NSW representative for the ACFCGN said.
Distribution of the 2017/18 Taree Yellow Pages and White Pages cobound book featuring Chelsea Hands will take place from Saturday, February 10.
To find out more about the Garden Greats competition, visit www.yellowpages.com.au/gardengreats. For more information on the ACFCGN in your area visit communitygarden.org.au.
