One of the strengths of the Redlands has been the ongoing sense of community that reverberates throughout all walks of life here.
We have an abundance of volunteers, service organisations and people always willing to lend a hand.
With this enthusiasm to help comes innovative ideas and concepts which go hand in hand with volunteering.
The latest concept which is being met with enthusiasm is the Southern Moreton Bay Island Food Growers Group which has launched a refreshing campaign to bring sustainable market gardening back to the islands.
The community based, not-for-profit project will turn all surplus funds back into opportunities for employment, training and upskilling young people in agriculture and horticulture.
The initiative was raised at a Redland City Council meeting two years ago and with a three quarter of a hectare site available on Macleay Island, plans are well advanced to put the site under the plough to grow selected garden fruit and vegetables according to seasonality.
Macleay Island, along with the rest of the Redlands, has a long history in farming, particularly market gardening, mainly through its rich red soil, that has slowly declined under the weight of population growth and housing development.
Community gardens are not new and are a popular concept in many parts of the world. Even large cities with high density populations have embraced the concept of community vegetable and fruit growing in individual neighbourhoods.
The multitude of advantages include community spirit, a sense of belonging, overcoming loneliness and even simply getting to know your neighbours.
The Macleay Island concept is a great one and will return to the Redlands the produce marketing that once made this area famous.
As well, comes the nutritional values of harvesting fresh and eating fresh, compared to supermarkets' systems of produce, particularly fruit, being treated and kept in cold storage for many months.
The household veggie patch has lost its way under the weight of busy suburban lifestyles, but this community market project is a fantastic idea that should be embraced by all.
While all praise is heaped on the drivers of the Macleay project, it should not remain solely for the island.
This valuable project brings a healthy sense of purpose and will become an important asset well worth expanding across the wider Redlands community.
