On Friday our Year 5 students hosted and ran the Kitchen Garden Open Day where they sold a plethera of handmade goods, fresh produce and potted plants. These were made in Garden sessions and in Kitchen sessions, and I heard that the popsicles were very popular in the heat with their “Strawberries and Cream” and “Watermelon and Mint”, all made using real fruit! They also manned a lemonade stall sourced with fruit from the garden’s Meyer lemon tree.
Students, staff and community members mingled in the morning, enjoying the occasion and at 12 noon the official part of the day commenced. Mr. Geoff McLeod was presented with a very special commemorative garden bench. In the photo below you can see the original and current Kitchen Garden team members: Mel, Sarah, Suzie, Terri and of course, Geoff Mcleod.
As Terri Sharpe (Garden teacher) said:
This had been planned since February. The bench was made by the Margaret River Men’s Shed, funded by the P&C and incorporated drawings of kitchen and garden themed items – including a portrait of Geoff himself! – drawn by year 4 and 5 students. Ms Sarah Scheltema from Ruby Daze Designs turned the drawings into laser cut etchings and inserted them into the bench. Only an exceptional piece could do Geoff justice and the bench is certainly that – quite exceptional. Geoff gave an emotional and heart-felt speech celebrating the garden’s 10 year anniversary, with his wife Sue sitting next to him. Thirty invited guests and two hundred year 4 and 5 students listened in awe, as Geoff outlined the development and growth of the garden over the last ten year period, thanking those involved. The bench will now be housed in the school garden, a tribute to an exceptional man who has made a positive and lasting difference to literally thousands of children as they pass through the Kitchen Garden Program on their primary school journey. As stated on the bench’s dedication plaque, Mr Geoff McLeod truly is “An inspiration to all.”
Written and Photos by Terri Sharpe; Posted by D. Veary
Canteen