LEETON Preschool will introduce a new initiative that aims at not only educating its attendees, but also the wider community.
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A community garden will be established outside of the preschool in Waipukurau Park, with children, staff and residents all able to contribute and watch it grow.
The idea behind the garden came from preschool director Marie Jacobsen, who hopes it will connect the community with the organisation.
She also hopes it will bring together Aboriginal and non-English speaking residents as "gardening has no language".
Various organisations have already come on board for the concept, including Leeton Shire Council, Riverina Wildflowers, the Rotary Club of Leeton, the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Yanco Lions Club and the NRMA.
The latter donated $5000 towards the project as part of the NRMA community grants program.
Miss Jacobsen said the community garden was a long-term plan.
"It will be established just outside of the preschool and we hope students and the community will take on a real ownership of it," she said.
"I am hoping to develop a program that will promote children's connections to the Australia bush, as well as supporting the engagement of families and the community.
"Leeton Preschool's vision statement is 'learning and growing together', which fits in aptly with the community garden idea ... we need to reintroduce children to nature."
The garden will be available year round for residents to contribute to, with the designated area providing plenty of shade during the summer months.
NRMA Insurance community and sustainability operations manager Lee McDougall was pleased the organisation could assist in the implementation of the garden.
"We have had a fantastic response this year from community groups (applying for funding) and were impressed with the great work Leeton Preschool is doing," she said.
"We are excited to see how the grant will support their project and the Leeton community."
For more information on how to be part of the community contact the preschool on 6953 2396.