26 June 2018

The Victorian Schools Garden Awards (VSGA) Grants program recognises the importance and value of gardens and outdoor spaces in progressive modern education. Held in tandem with the Awards program, the Grants program is designed to encourage schools to start new gardens and provides funding towards school’s garden projects.

During the month of May, the VSGA evaluated 210 grant applications received from 120 Victorian schools. Forty one successful schools shared in $40,000 worth of vouchers and products and now have the opportunity to undertake their proposed garden projects.

The following Melbourne Catholic schools received VSGA Grants in 2018:

Maxicrop Edible Garden grant ($500):
Holy Name School, Reservoir
MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Werribee

Nursery & Garden Industry of Victoria Biodiversity Garden ($500):
Parade College, Bundoora

Independent Schools Victoria Sensory Garden ($500):
St Joseph’s School, Sorrento

Catholic Education Melbourne School Yard Makeover ($1,000):
Mary Immaculate School, Ivanhoe
CBC St Kilda

Department of Education & Training Maintenance Grant ($500):
De La Salle College, Malvern
Sacred Heart School, Yea

According to the VSGA, ‘Gardens make interesting and involving outdoor classrooms. By establishing and/or expanding the green environment in schools (no matter what the size whether it is a vertical garden in a small space or a grand project of the entire school grounds) not only improves the aesthetic appearance but can make an exciting outside learning environment with greater benefits of student health and wellbeing.’