Connecting with nature

Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson will visit the Wimmera for a nature-inspired ‘living in harmony’ event this week.

Sophie is a special guest at ‘Backyard Landcare... living in harmony’ on Friday in Horsham.

Wimmera Catchment Management Authority and Wimmera Landcare will host the free event at Holy Trinity Lutheran College from 5.30pm to 8.30pm as part of a series of regional events for National Harmony Week.

It is supported through funding from the Victorian Government’s Victorian Landcare Program.

Other guests are Dalki Garringa Native Nursery and the Centre for Participation, who will share the latest information about The Social Pantry. Laneway Café without Borders will cater.

Wimmera CMA water officer Cobba Harrison said the health and wellbeing of communities was connected strongly to nature, with an increasing recognition of the importance of creating more harmony with the natural world.

“The Dalki Garringa ‘Good Growing’ Native Nursery at Wail grows plants that are important to the Traditional Owners of the Wotjobaluk nations and the region, while creating economic development opportunities for our people,” he said.

“They have big plans for 2023 and it’s pretty exciting how this project has developed.

“The Social Pantry is a fantastic initiative of the Centre for Participation, which connects people with skills-based education and community support services.

“With the belief that anything is possible for anybody, this is also creating a strong and thriving community.”

Ms Thomson, a South Australian-based media personality, has long been part of Australian homes through TV and radio, connecting with people at public events and through her own books and social media platforms.

Her belief that gardening is important for health, wellbeing and the community has seen her work extensively for the past three years with the residents of Kangaroo Island following devastating bushfires.

After record floods in many parts of Australia last year, Ms Thomson is now