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A TREVALLYN COMMUNITY GARDEN is the vision of a small group of Trevallynites that came together as the Trevallyn Sustainability Group. Their proposal came with the full package of ideals – social networking, community building, food security etc. etc. Sadly we are speaking in the past tense here because it seems that all these things are like, as our American cousins say, "motherhood and apple pie". But it seems that on Trevallyn the 'NIMBY syndrome' is alive and well and even for a community garden – an idea that most people purport to like. So why not?
The community garden idea was sold well enough it seems but actually there was not that much of a need to SELL it as it is one that comes with a full load of positive cultural cargo laced with social benefits. Nonetheless, the idea attracted its share of detractors. There was a laudable attempt to be 'professional' in order to win the day for the concept aided by a professionally prepared concept plan developed by Launceston City Council. Despite this, and possibly because of it in some cases, the outcome was the kind of polarisation that demands that there must be a winner no matter what the cost – or indeed no matter what is lost in order to win. A win-win outcome occasionally would be refreshing.
The Information Meeting was well managed as it seems that the Trevallyn Sustainability Network is well populated by qualified professionals of one kind or another. Most of whom it seems are women which may have gone some way to the polarisation. The detractors were by-and-large 'blokes' – and 'sporty blokes' at that. So it would seem that the men's business, women's business dynamic cannot be dismissed. But what about sustainability, food security, community networking, community development, etc.?
In this case the blokes have control of the land and for their purposes for they could line up long list of reasons as to why this proposal should go nowhere. That is so despite the women amassing an equally impressive list potential positives. Given this it looks like there is a need to be subversive and surreptitious in order to achieve at least some of the outcome sought. This could mean guerrilla gardening, or even gorilla gardening, [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6], street verge colonisation or even a touch of cultural jamming. If reasoned argument and logic doesn't cut it, well other methods need to be considered.
Yes some of the detractors may have had legitimate concerns about untidiness, access to public land regarding THIS proposal, etc. However, it would be a pity if the Trevallyn Sustainability Group lost heart and momentum. We should watch this space for developments it might be a lot of fun.
2 comments:
Soemone told me yesterday that they miss the bench that used to be at the shops. Now theres nowere to sit and chat to folk. you have to buy a coffee or pie.
There has been an objection to the use of the pejorative "bloke" here. Well to explain, "bloke" is a British slang term for a man, which is commonly used in the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
We could have said "boofy blokes' which might have caused a bit too much of a wrankle given that WIKI tells us "boofy ... Pronunced ˈbʊfi/,
as an adjective boofy (comparative boofier, superlative boofiest)is
1. (Australian, colloquial) Of hair, puffy, or having extra volume, not necessarily desired. See bouffant... For example: "My hair was so boofy this morning it took 10 minutes of brushing to get it looking decent."
OR
2. (Australian, colloquial) Brawny, overtly masculine and rather dim-witted... For example"Dave, the big boofy builder, finally solved the mouse problem the big boofy bloke way: by crushing it unceremoniously under his boot."
The temptation was resisted and 'sporty blokes' seemed to fill the bill. Now language is dangerous stuff but in the end blokes are blokes and they do what blokes do. As for 'sporty blokes,' well if person plays sport and he's a bloke then maybe it is not too outrageous to call him a bloke.
If "bloke" carries negative cultural cargo that's a task for blokes to attend to. Until then, blokes who exhibit all the traits of being a "bloke" will be called blokes on this site until further notice.
By all means state your case if you see it differently. After all this is why we do all this. So you have a chance to have your say but please say something about sustainable living as well!
Petar 4 The Coordinator
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