Community garden fostering friendships

Residents at Bolton Clarke’s Westhaven retirement village at Toowommba in Queensland are growing food and developing friendships while gardening.

Elmore and Rae Lloyd moved to Bolton Clarke Westhaven from their farm in Pallamallawa, New South Wales in 2017.

Elmore said they have developed friendships while gardening in the community garden.

“We’ve made quite a few friends since living here,” Mr Lloyd said.

“We’ve got good neighbours. We’re a family, really,” he said.

The pair share their passion for gardening with residents Dennis and Deslyn, who brought their beehive with them down from Maryborough when they moved from Bolton Clarke’s Chelsea retirement village to Westhaven.

“There’s no doubt the garden has brought us new friends. Everyone knows everyone else. We’re not in each other’s pockets but we’re also very friendly and willing to have a chat,” Deslyn said.