From Plant to Plate: Fraser Coast Seed Library launched
Fraser Coast residents and community groups can now borrow seeds from their local library branch following the launch of the ‘Fraser Coast Seed Library - From Plant to Plate’ project today.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Executive Manager Community and Culture Joyce Chorny said library members could take home seeds to help grow their own gardens and then donate seeds back once their plants have grown.
“Plant to Plate seeds are, where possible, organic, open-pollinated, and not genetically modified,” she said.
“Borrowers will be encouraged to help us grow the Seed Library by harvesting seeds from mature plants and donating them back to the library to share with others in the community.
“As part of the project, we’re also establishing a feature garden in the grounds of the Howard Library and plan to collaborate with community groups on activities such as videos, cooking and food-tasting workshops as part of the Fraser Coast Seed Library - From Plant to Plate project in the future.
“The project is about encouraging community resilience and engagement at a crucial time with the increasing cost of living pressures on families.”
‘The From Plant to Plate Seed Library project’ is funded by a $50,000 Public Libraries Strategic Priorities Grant and is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government and State Library of Queensland.
Ms Chorny said the Seed Library launch was a key element of the Hervey Bay Library Reopening Party today, which also included performances from well-known personalities dirtgirl and scrapboy from ABC TV, and children’s author and musician Deano Yipadee.
“The Hervey Bay Library Reopening Party is a celebration of the library’s transformation and a way to express our gratitude to residents for their patience during the six months we operated out of a temporary pop-up facility while the renovations were underway,” she said.
“Along with a new roof and air conditioning system, our library now offers an improved layout, wayfinding signage, a dedicated Children’s Library, a Toy Library, and a Digital Experience Zone complete with great spaces for study and reading.
“We greatly appreciate the support from the Queensland Government, who provided a $1.5 million Works for Queensland grant for the roof replacement works and more than $664,000 in grants through the State Library of Queensland.”
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said:
“It’s great to see the library restored to its former glory, thanks to a $1.5 million State Government Grant, bringing back to the people a beloved facility, it’s all part of building a better Hervey Bay.”
As part of the Hervey Bay Library Reopening Party today, a new song was launched by author and entertainer Deano Yipadee for Errol the Frog, the Libraries’ First 5 Forever mascot.
“First 5 Forever is a State Library of Queensland-funded program which aims to provide strong early literacy foundations for children up to five years by directly supporting parents and primary caregivers as their child’s most important educator,” Ms Chorny said.
“Up to 90 per cent of a child’s brain development happens in the first five years. The more you talk, read, sing and play with your child, the more the brain responds.”
For more information about the Fraser Coast Libraries’ First 5 Forever program, go to https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/first-5-forever
The State Library of Queensland grants received by the Fraser Coast Regional Council include a Public Library Grant ($546,339), First 5 Forever grant ($67,727) and a Strategic Priorities Grant ($50,000 to help establish the Seed Library).
Seed libraries are being established at all Fraser Coast library branches at Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Howard, Burrum Heads and Tiaro.
Public libraries are a partnership between Local Government and the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland.
Find out more at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/seedlibrary