July 2002

The dirt on horticultural therapy

Diversional therapists and others who organise activities in community centres, Neighborhood Houses, aged care facilities, hospitals and rehabilitation centres have been invited to the Dirty Hands—Happy Hearts conference.

The two-day conference, organised jointly by the Horticultural Therapy Association of Victoria (HTAV) and Cultivating Community, will to be held at Collingwood College on September 13 and 14.

A highlight for those who attend the conference will be optional community gardens tours on September 12 and 15.

The tours will include the Collingwood College kitchen gardens and the public housing estate community gardens.

HTAV promotes the therapeutic and recreational benefits of horticulture to people of all ages and abilities.

Cultivating Community supports the development of community garden projects such as the inner-city public housing gardens.

Speakers at the conference will include Collingwood College kitchen garden patron, author and chef Stephanie Alexander, Office of Housing Community Gardens Project Manager Basil Natoli, garden designer specialising in horticultural therapy Catherine Drew, permaculture and sustainability expert David Holmgren, author and journalist Penny Woodward, landscape architect at the Royal Botanical Gardens Andrew Laidlaw and Victoria University senior lecturer in recreation Dr. Anne Binkley.

Topics will include therapeutic and community garden design, spiritual aspects of gardening, community garden design, herb cultivation and uses, latest developments at the Royal Botanical Garden, physio advice for gardeners and horticultural therapy in special schools, training centres and programs for the frail, aged and disabled.

• For more information visit www.horticulturaltherapy.com.au, e-mail contactus@horticulturaltherapy.com.au or telephone 9848 9710.