As a social enterprise, we’re constantly trying to achieve very big social, environmental and economic outcomes. Plus, right now we’re moving both the op shop and the office, creating a kids garden at the farm, adapting to be a COVIDsafe business, and recruiting new staff. It’s busy!
With so much happening, it’s easy to focus on the outstanding tasks. So it’s a good thing that I sit down every so often to share news like this because there’s so much to celebrate! Writing this made me really proud of what has been happening within Green Connect over the past few weeks, thanks to the incredible hard work of our team and the wonderful support of our community.
– Kylie
OK, here’s the latest news…
Farm open for tours again
We are super excited to announce that the farm is back open for tours just in time for the school holidays – and with COVIDsafe plans in place. Book a family farm tour here for just $14 per person (under 3 year olds free). Tickets are selling fast but we are adding more dates shortly. Email [email protected] if you want to be notified when new dates are released.
We’re also running private farm tours, which are ideal for scout groups, gardening clubs and more – as well as school excursions (noting that COVID regulations limit groups to 20).
New op shop and office
The waiting is over! We can announce at long last that we are moving in to 37 Princes Highway, Unanderra (the bright purple building on the corner of Five Islands Road – you can’t miss it).
This will be the new home of both our op shop and our office, bringing our team under the same roof and just down the road from the Green Connect Farm.
We would love donated items (things you’d be happy to give to a friend) and to see you in store from Monday 3 August.
Farewell Kristin
This week we farewell our Fair Food Coordinator, Kristin, after two years of coordinating 100-200 veg boxes (it has grown!) and inspiring us with delicious recipes each week. Kristin also helped launch activities at the farm like the family tour (above). We thank her from the bottom of our artichoke hearts and wish her well as she dives further into her studies in nutrition.
Which means…
We’re hiring!
We’re looking for two amazing people to join the Green Connect team in the following roles…
Administration Coordinator
Unanderra, 20 hours per week.
Highly organised and personable. Able to juggle multiple priorities and keep things running smoothly across many different business units.
Fair Food Coordinator
Unanderra/Warrawong, 20 hours per week.
Highly organised with great customer service skills and very high attention to detail. Looking after our fair food customers as well as keeping the farm administration in order.
As part of a social enterprise, the work that you do matters and is both demanding and highly rewarding. We look forward to finding the next two Green Connect superstars.
Active veg box hubs
We have a few new hubs that you can pick your fruit and veg box up from (or home delivery for $7 extra).
Salt Bush Clinic, Austinmer, 1:30-5pm Thursday
Wilde Cafe, Thirroul, 1:30-4pm Thursday
Taylor’s Healthy Grocers, Thirroul, 12:30-4pm Thursday
Innovation Campus, North Wollongong, 12-6pm Thursday
Unibar (UOW), Keiraville, 10am-3pm Thursday
The Source, Wollongong, 11:30am-4pm Thursday
Green Connect Farm, Warrawong, 3:30-5:30pm Thursday
Kiama Anglican Church, Kiama, 3-5:30pm Wednesday
Finalist – Local Business Awards
Thank you to everyone who voted for us in the Local Business Awards, in the category of Fresh Food. We’re delighted to be finalists for the second year in a row.
Refugee week
This wonderful photo of Mutebutsi Bugegeri, one of our staff members, was published by the City of Wollongong for World Refugee Week. Mutebutsi arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2016.
He was asked: ‘When did you feel welcome in Wollongong?’
He said: “Everyone is a teacher for everyone else at Green Connect. I learn from each one.
We came on different tracks, we’re all from different countries, but we all share our experiences here, we share our culture.
We need connection. Connections are more important than money.
People are friendly where I live. My neighbours and I share taking in the bins for each other. We share lifts. My kids play with their Macedonian neighbours.”
Photo: Sam St Jon
Tree planting day next week
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored a tree at the Green Connect farm. We’re excited to be planting them next Thursday (16 July). There’s still a little bit of time to sponsor a tree for this round of planting if you want to. For those who choose the $100 or $300 option, you’ll be invited to come and planet your tree with us.
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