History

2000 - 2004

The Community Garden project was first tabled at a Surf Coast Shire meeting in November 2000 and in late 2002 the present site was identified and approved. The Torquay and Jan Juc Community Garden group was formalised and the first sod was officially turned on the 28th February 2003. In the same year, our logo was designed by Glen Romanis.

Danawa Community Garden became an incorporated Association in February 2004 (Association No. A0045212E).  

Some of the original founding members are still Garden members today: John Harrison, David (Plugga) Newton, Claire Gittings and Perry and Leanne Mills. 

2005 - 2009

In 2007, a master plan was developed and our current shelter was built. In 2009 the Men’s Shed built the recycled timber benches for our communal spaces.

In 2009, the Garden recorded 19 members.

2010 - 2015

Our pizza oven was completed in 2012, and in 2013 solar panels were installed. By 2013, the Garden recorded 40 members.

2016 - Today

Danawa Community Garden became Danawa At Spring Creek Community Garden Inc on 29 July, 2018 to make it easier for prospective members to locate the Garden on the Spring Creek Reserve.  The Garden works in collaboration with the Surf Coast Shire and is governed by its own (now 2018) Rules, based on Model Rules of the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

The Garden constructed new raised communal beds and an automatic watering system in 2019.

In 2023, the Garden recorded over 80 members.