By Cam Lucadou-Wells
AN UNKEMPT outdoors area at Hallam Senior College has been transformed into a garden of serenity by Dandenong South East Rotary Club and a former student.
The area, previously avoided by students, will now be a sanctuary for art activity as well as being the ideal place to chill out, arts leading teacher Amanda Muxworthy said at the garden opening on 6 October.
“It’s been amazing to see. For the past 18 months I’ve wanted to tackle this space,” Ms Muxworthy said.
“The students are loving it.”
Ms Muxworthy oversaw the project while the design was conceived by landscaper Aaron Betts, who only graduated from the college several years ago.
Up to a dozen Rotarian volunteers, including John Peck, Neil Fullard and president Athol Bailey, gave creation to Mr Betts’ vision over several weekends.
They constructed benches and raised beds, which are filled with succulents, other drought-tolerant plants, fruits, vegetables and students’ artwork.
They gave a lick of paint to the grapevine-entangled pergola and enclosure walls, and poured down crushed rock in between the beds.
Mr Peck said the Rotarians loved plying their handiwork and showing students what Rotary Clubs were all about.
“We were looking around for good projects to do,” he told Star News.
During the opening, there was talk of the college’s VCAL students working with Rotary to assembly wooden hands for war victims.
Principal Anne Martin said the area which abuts the college’s arts studios was traditionally overgrown and unloved.
Nearby “before” photos show the muddied, barren area in the early throes of transformation.
Now with a bit of a love, it will be a great space for students and staff, she said.
