Grow your gardening skills and your social connections!

For more information contact yarralibraries@yarracity.vic.gov.au otherwise get your online expression of interest form in HERE.

Yarra City Council is committed to being a child safe organisation and supports flexible and accessible working arrangements for all. We draw pride and strength from our diversity, remain open to new approaches and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people. Our values Accountability, Respect and Courage underpin how we work and our efforts to build a culture based on positive relationships with colleagues and the community.

Program overview

Carlton Library’s community garden is designed to support sustainable living and community learning. The garden grows seasonal produce primarily for seed saving, which feeds into the library’s Seed Library program. This helps residents access free seeds and learn about gardening, sustainability, and food security.

ROLE OBJECTIVE

To assist with the ongoing care and maintenance of the Carlton Library community garden, ensuring healthy plant growth and successful seed harvesting. The role also involves coordinating with other volunteers to share responsibilities and maintain a consistent care schedule.

KEY TASKS & REQUIREMENTS

Garden Maintenance

• Watering plants according to seasonal needs.
• Removing weeds and managing soil health.
• Pruning and trimming plants as required.
• Removing diseased or damaged produce to prevent spread.
• Harvesting produce for seed saving and preparing seeds for drying/storage. 

Seed Library Support

• Collecting seeds from harvested produce.
• Labelling and storing seeds for library distribution.

Peer Volunteer Coordination

• Liaising with other garden volunteers to organise a general roster.
• Sub-delegating tasks such as watering, weeding, pruning, and seed collection.
• Communicating via email or agreed channels to ensure coverage during absences.

General Duties

• Attend regular meetings (seasonal, or as agreed) with the Library Team Leader to discuss garden progress, issues, and upcoming tasks.
• Monitoring plant health and reporting issues to the Volunteer Supervisor.
• Maintaining a tidy and safe garden space for public access.
• Engaging with library visitors who show interest in the garden.

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Interest in gardening and sustainability.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Reliability and commitment to regular attendance.

TRAINING & SUPPORT

• Induction session covering health and safety requirements
• Access to the Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct, and Volunteer Agreement.
• Ongoing support from the Carlton Library Team Leader as role supervisor.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:                  Carlton Library Team Leader

Internal Liaisons:         All staff and volunteers

External Liaisons:        Members of the public

 Partnering organisations (e.g. Cultivating Community)

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We will provide you with a Volunteer Handbook, Code of Conduct and Volunteer Agreement. As part of the on-boarding process you will be required to sign to acknowledge that you agree with terms in the Volunteer Agreement.

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