Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR)

The Riverina region is home to a large number of current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and first responders. It is well-documented that these groups face significant mental health challenges. A survey by the Pro Patria Centre (PPC) revealed alarming statistics: nearly half of respondents were medically discharged; over 40% had been hospitalised for service-related injuries; and 60% had experienced suicidal thoughts in the past two years.

Established in 2021, PPC set out to create a multidisciplinary support hub focused on the mental, emotional and physical health of veterans, first responders and their families at Wagga Wagga’s neglected Carmelite Monastery site.

With a $17,160 In a Good Place grant funded by CCI Giving, the “Kitchen Garden to Plate” initiative set out to restore and expand the two-acre garden, creating a welcoming environment where veterans, first responders and their families could engage in therapeutic gardening. Overgrown areas were cleared, fresh produce was planted, and gardening zones were introduced to accommodate accessibility needs. Raised garden beds, a Zen Garden for reflection and a propagation tunnel for sustainable planting are now all integral parts of the space.

A close-up of a wheelbarrow in a garden with gardening beds covered in nets in the background.
The garden is situated at the old Carmelite Monastery site in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
Three people stand with their arms around each other in front of a tree with oranges on it.
Garden manager Tim Dick (left) and horticulturalists Eltan Mestan and Michelle Burton. 
A man in a stripy top stands smiling in front of a tree with oranges on it.
A service member for 20 years, Graeme Wren is now involved as a member of the Pro Patria Centre.

Beyond gardening, participants took part in hands-on workshops that brought the experience full circle. Garden-to-Plate cooking classes empowered them to turn their homegrown produce into nutritious meals, reinforcing the connection between food, health and wellbeing. As the project developed, additional activities such as sustainability workshops and community engagement initiatives enriched the experience further.

The program is supporting more than 500 people with fresh food and it continues to foster awareness of mental health challenges in the wider community. For participants who have given so much in service to others, the therapeutic outlets are reducing stress, encouraging healthier lifestyles and cultivating a renewed sense of purpose.  

As with any project, there were challenges along the way. Coordinating schedules to ensure participation was difficult, as was securing additional funding to accommodate the expanded scope. The disruptions caused by COVID also required adaptability and resilience. Reflecting on these experiences, the team has identified key learnings, such as the value of early needs assessments and the importance of flexibility to accommodate participants’ varying commitments.

Volunteer horticulturalists are providing labour and expertise pro bono to support the development of the garden and its impact. The initiative is more than just a garden, it has become a foundation for healing and resilience and as it continues to grow, it will ensure that even more veterans and first responders can benefit in the years ahead.

You can watch the project in action on ABC News.