The Como West Community Garden is a registered incorporated entity that was formed in 2017 by a group of locals dedicated to the task of establishing a productive garden on the grounds surrounding the Guide Hall, corner of Warraba and Mulyan Street, Como West. All of the original gardeners are still involved in one way or another- on the Executive Committee, running Working Bees or donating plantings.

The initial proposal was put to the land owners (Sydney Water) and then current leaseholders (Girl Guides). It seemed an ambitious plan at the time and included 4 stages of development.  The plan recognised the significant role of the Guide Hall as a community venue and the potential benefits from integrating the hall and garden into one grand community space.

Planning and concept meetings were open to all and a broad range of ideas were put forward. We proposed raised garden beds, fruit trees, water tanks, native regeneration and habitat zones, areas to meet, rest, play and socialise. Ultimately, Como West Community Garden Inc negotiated taking responsibility for the hall from the Girl Guides and the current situation was born.

In 2022, we put the disruptions of the past few years behind us. We completed the boundary fence. We have moved on all our proposed Stage One site developments, baby steps in some ways, refinement of the plan to accommodate change in capacity and circumstance in others. We have continued the valued relationships with our regular community groups, joyously reestablished our children’s party hire system, made our garden sessions a weekly outing and dipped our toe into holding community events.

And we’re not finished yet. We are in discussions with two community support groups to connect treasured members of our community- one for Blokes, the other for a playgroup. We will be painting the inside of the Hall in October. We have a Blues Picnic in the making. A scarecrow competition planned for early next year. We have a few materials left to consume from storage and then it is time to turn our attention to the plans again, for the next stage. Community Grants take time to prepare and it is our intention to be well prepared for when money becomes available next year.