OPINION: Fairy theme creates buzz in Wonthella

Ursula Clarke invited me in response to my Facebook invitation, to take a photo of the colourful garden she and Colin have created along the fence outside their house in Fifth Street. Ursula has made her fairy garden with little creatures scattered about. She was hoping the passers-by would help themselves as well as pick a flower, especially children. Colin explained they had done this to get people that lived around about, to take an interest in gardens and to build a stronger community. They both hoped that people would enjoy the colours and especially her postie. But the opposite has happened. People they met at this fairy garden had only asked them if they could help in any way. One person had even offered to bring some mulch. Community gardens have become a bit of a buzzword in the city. The council has created one off Mitchell Street, Spalding. The people that live near Fraser Street in Beachlands have a community garden in the park on the corner of Fraser and Gregory. Our community garden inside the Homeswest complex off Cutler Street has stood the test of time over the past eight years. Brad Letch is setting up a community-share arrangement on his front verge in Verticordia Street, Strathalbyn, and some of the schools have big vegie gardens for their students. Whether to fence them off or not is open to debate. The City decided to fence and lock the one they made and so is the Beachlands one. Colin and Ursula have found that the people respect a garden in the open, almost as though it invites them to care for it. Perhaps it is the fairies in their garden at work? To share your Geraldton garden with readers, call Stan Maley on 0428 230 029.