Celebrating Volunteers’ Week at SSG

At the Southbank Sustainability Group (SSG), we love the autumn gardening season! It’s a wonderful time to pause, get ready, and plant for a peaceful winter that will welcome spring.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower” – Albert Camus.

The first working bee of April 11 was a delightful Melbourne experience – exactly what we hoped for! The morning was a bit chilly, with temperatures dropping into the single digits. But that didn’t deter the volunteers from getting to work, hosting our usual gardening session and even putting on a free plant propagation event.

Corrinne’s session was a hit, even with the cold! Around 20 local folks came to the Assembly Hall at Boyd Community Hub, which was nice and warm. Corrinne shared some fantastic tips on growing plants from cuttings, keeping them healthy in different temperatures, and giving them the right nutrients. And as always, the happy attendees got to bring home some cool houseplant cuttings.

While everyone was busy in Assembly Hall, our gardening enthusiasts were out there, working their magic in the planter beds. Weeding was a key part of the process, all about getting everything ready for the winter. Plus, we moved some vegetables and gave the soil a nice boost with worm juice. The cold weather and morning rain were a huge help because we didn’t have to water at all.

The second working bee on Anzac Day was a success, with everyone there! The lovely autumn weather made gardening a breeze, and we really made the most of the sunshine. The younger members tackled the garden shed, clearing it out and organising it for both winter and summer. It’s usually a tough job, but with so many new faces helping out, it was a piece of cake. We also spent a lot of time weeding and tidying up around the garden, checking on the fruit trees, and spraying eco oil where needed. The gardening team cleaned the tools and labelled them properly, and they even assigned the right names to all the beds.

The gardening activity often wraps up with our coffee break chats. SSG volunteer, Vin, shared some insights about coriander, highlighting its role as an herb and its various uses across different cultures. We discussed both the medicinal and culinary benefits of coriander.

Vin’s presentation was a hit, touching everyone’s hearts and making their taste buds dance! Asha, Vin’s mum, whipped up a delicious spicy coriander chutney that perfectly paired with the mini samosas. Faye’s homemade Anzac biscuits were a crowd favourite, wrapping up the Anzac Day working bee on a sweet note.

Upcoming events

National Volunteer Week May 18 to 24 is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering.

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate the amazing work of millions of volunteers all over the country! It’s also a great opportunity for everyone to explore how offering their time and skills can help us connect, find meaning, and build stronger communities.

This year, we’re celebrating “Your Year to Volunteer,” recognising the amazing work volunteers do and encouraging everyone in Australia to make 2026 a year of meaningful involvement, in ways that resonate with them.

In 2026, the United Nations will celebrate the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), highlighting how volunteers are essential in creating sustainable and inclusive communities all over the globe.

This year at SSG, we’re so grateful to everyone who’s dedicated their time, and we’d love to invite you to explore how volunteering can help you connect, find purpose, and make a lasting difference.

About the group

SSG is a community group of Southbank residents dedicated to bringing positive change in sustainability practices. Connect with us on

Email: [email protected], Facebook: SouthbankSustainabilityGroup, or follow us on Instagram at
@southbanksustainabilitygroup.

If you’re interested in learning more, join us for our next catch-up on May 9, 10am, Boyd Community Hub, City Rd. •