THE EVICITION of the Wonthaggi Community Garden Group from their long-standing home in the grounds of the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed has left members shocked and disappointed.
Describing the move as making some changes the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed explained in a paid advertisement in the Sentinel Times this week that the Men’s Shed had made an executive decision to shut down the garden group operating within the grounds of the Men’s Shed precinct.
“The decision was reached due to irreconcilable differences negatively affecting the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed purpose and vision.”
Disappointed by the decision garden group coordinator Jessica Harrison said the group had been located in the grounds of the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed since 2007.
“The gardeners at the Men’s Shed were shocked to receive an email on Monday giving them just 24 hours to remove personal effects and return keys.”
The Wonthaggi Men’s Shed committee decided the garden was to close.
“It’s like a slap in the face,” said Jessica who was recently elected to represent the garden group on the Men’s Shed committee but was not involved in the decision making process.
“The Committee of Management must have met secretly without me,” said Jessica.
The garden group admitted there had been a recent complaint about untidiness which the gardeners had been working hard to remedy.
Bass Coast Shire Council which holds a lease with the Wonthaggi Men’s Shed said it would continue to work closely with everyone involved to find a positive way forward.
The gardeners were given a deadline of 1pm Tuesday to vacate the premises.
