Bushfire garden grants

By Kath Gannaway
GRANTS of up to $20,000 are available under the Australia’s Open Garden Scheme Victorian Bushfire Community Grants Fund.
The fund has $80,000 available for the establishment, re-establishment or refurbishment of community gardens, parks and other public places in bushfire affected communities.
AOGS chief executive Neil Roberson said gardeners from all over Australia contacted the organisation following the fires because they were appalled at the tragedy.
He said the fund is the largest single donation in the scheme’s 22-year history and came from its own reserves augmented by donations from gardeners across Australia and proceeds from a special opening of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch’s Cruden Farm.
“We very much hope these funds will be able to be used for projects that, in line with the AOGS mission, will be of lasting benefit in the affected communities.” Application forms and further information are available at www.opengarden.org.au
Applications close on 30 April 2010.