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Learn how to grow your own food and empower your life Garden Guru, Phil Dudman speaks to GAIL FORRER about his role at Queensland’s premier garden expo and his passion for a special gardening technique
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fter the pain and devastation of recent weather events together with the pandemic, there’s a big, joyful Queensland event about to change your attitude. For Gardening Guru and ABC gardening magazine Horticultural Editor Phil Dudman, this event, known as Queensland’s Premier Garden Expo held at Nambour showgrounds has special significance: “It’s my happy place, ” he says. After attending the Expo for more than twenty years, Phil is totally qualified to give honest opinions. “It’s like a gardener’s jamboree – gardeners from all the over the place meet-up,” he enthuses. “The timing is great too – it’s the start of the gardening year. “And the show gets you inspired and kicks you into gardening gear – it’s such a joyful space.” As a resident of Lismore, the town in Northern NSW where floodwaters inundated homes not once, but twice this year, Phil Dudman, now more than ever appreciates the meaning of community spirit and the things that contribute to community recovery. Since the flood, he
Phil Dudman
says he’s felt a level of general anxiety bubbling in the community and believes this comes from the a number of factors including a feeling of disempowerment stemming from things such as the sight of empty food shelves in supermarkets “That’s makes us think about food security,” he says
“The timing is great ....the show gets you inspired and kicks you into gardening gear - it’s such a joyful space.” “And gives us a glimpse of how dependant we are on the corporate food system.” Furthermore, he notes, it shows how vulnerable we are to a break-down of the food supply chain. Empowerment, he says, comes from growing food locally, whether that be in your background, in a community garden or a unit balcony.
ENJOY A COFFEE & TRANSFORM A LIFE AT COMPASS GARDEN CAFÉ Monday to Friday, 9.30 am - 2.00 pm 51 Palm Creek road, Tanawha Located in the heart of the Maroochy Botanical Gardens, Compass Garden Café supports individuals with a disability to contribute meaningfully to their community. Join us for a cuppa, hot scones and service with a smile!
To find out more: 8 YOUR TIME MAGAZINE / June 2022
08.indd 2
compassinc.org.au
(07) 5445 9116 Sunshine Coast
2/06/2022 9:34:09 AM
