City and Church Undertake ‘Reno for a Cause’ in Bull Creek

South City Church and the City of Melville again joined forces as part of the “Reno for a Cause” program to renovate sections of the garden at the hostel, which houses residents with high-need intellectual and physical disabilities.

Twenty-five volunteers from the church’s Men’s Group worked through periods of rain and hail, using donated materials to beautify the gardens for the benefit of the residents and staff.

It is the third “Reno for a Cause” project undertaken by the church and coordinated by the Council-run Melville Volunteer Resource Centre (MVRC). The first involved redesigning a Palmyra resident’s backyard, including creating wheelchair accessible pathways and raised garden beds.  Earlier this year, church members renovated the backyard of the Headwest (Brain Injury Association of WA Inc) premises, in Alfred Cove, to make it accessible, safe and comfortable for clients to use.

MVRC Co-ordinator Nicola Schuman said the Council worked with the South City Church to identify community projects the church could undertake to benefit organisations. “Norwich Hostel, which has been a part of the local community for 28 years, is a very worthy recipient,” she said.

Acting Local Area Supervisor Pauline Serra said the hostel greatly appreciated the help and generosity of the South City Church and City of Melville. “The interior of the hostel has been upgraded over the past few years but the outside and gardens have not been considered a priority,” she said. “It is important for the hostel to have a nice exterior setting for residents and visitors. The upgraded gardens provide our residents with a stimulating sensory environment where they can feel the texture of the plants and smell the variety of fragrances released.”

During the backyard renovation, church volunteers removed old vegetation, laid mulch, planted 110 new plants and native grasses, removed and re-laid paving and installed a pond with water feature. The City of Melville supplied the mulch and bins for waste removal. Bunnings Melville donated materials while Orthotic Computer Technology, Mitch & Marc Australia, Enbit and the church provided cash contributions.

South City Church’s Ken Lee said he believed it was the best project the church volunteers had done so far. “We are learning every time we do it,” he said. “We are committed to doing these projects for the long term and want to use our hands, skills and passion to make a difference,” he said. “Many of our group are skilled tradesmen and Norwich Hostel staff were blown away with the end result.”

Ms Schuman said the MVRC, funded by the Department for Communities, provided a central point for volunteering enquiries from potential volunteers and a support resource for more than 100 community organisations in the City of Melville that involved volunteers. “Our role is to link volunteers, their abilities and passions with other community assets, including community groups, schools and local businesses, to help build a strong, healthy and sustainable community.”

Norwich Hostel staff and the MVRC are already planning next year’s project to create a community garden at the front of the hostel.  If any community groups, individuals or businesses would like to get involved in this project or explore other volunteering opportunities, contact the MVRC on 9364 0153.