​We're incredibly excited to share some special recipes created by one of our frequent and talented young visitors, Charlee (11y/o), and her mother, Kellee! Charlee and Kellee are great friends of Mandurah Community Gardens (MCG), and we were thrilled when they offered to share some of Charlee's original creations, especially those using bush tucker and other unique plants growing in our garden.

​Charlee is already a recognised expert—she's even been featured at the Mandurah Crab Festival! Her passion for fresh, local ingredients, and her unique culinary pairings are truly inspiring.

We send a huge thank you to Charlee and her mum Kellee for sharing these wonderful recipes with the MCG community! Their dedication to using fresh, seasonal, and unique ingredients is an inspiration to all of us.

Give these recipes a try using fresh ingredients from your own garden or from a visit to MCG!

This simple and fresh salad is elevated by the inclusion of beautiful borage flowers— a great way to add a pop of colour and a cucumber-like flavour!

Ingredients:

• Parsley
• Tomatoes
• Borage flowers
• Chives

Method:

1. Finely chop the parsley, tomatoes, and chives.
2. Place the chopped ingredients into a bowl with the borage flowers.
3. Stir gently to combine.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy this garden-fresh delight!

A fiery and fragrant seasoning blend that’s perfect for adding a kick to your favourite meals.

Ingredients:

• Fresh sage
• Fresh chillies
• Salt flakes

Method:

1. Dehydrate the chillies and sage in a dehydrator until completely dry.
2. Place all ingredients into a blender.
3. Blend for just 3-5 pulses—you want a coarse mix, not a fine powder!
4. Enjoy: Sprinkle on pizzas, stir into soups, or use on eggs and grilled vegetables.

This is a fantastic recipe for using up edible leaves that often go overlooked! Both choko leaves (cut in half) and nasturtium leaves (cut in half) are great sources of vitamins and have a subtle peppery flavour.

Ingredients:

• Fresh choko leaves (cut in half)
• Fresh nasturtium leaves (cut in half)
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Using a dehydrator, dehydrate the leaves for approximately 5 hours or until they are completely dry and crispy.
2. Place all ingredients (dried leaves, salt, and pepper) into a blender.
3. Blitz until the mix turns powdery.
4. Pour the seasoning into a bowl or jar for storage.
5. Use it: Stir into pasta sauces, sprinkle over mash potato, or use it as a special seasoning in an egg salad!

Mandurah Community Gardens was buzzing with energy thanks to an incredible volunteer effort by the Electrical Maintenance White End Shift A and C teams from Alcoa. Not only did the team arrive ready to tackle an ambitious list of maintenance tasks, but their expertise and immense generosity helped us overcome a critical operational challenge.

​Upon arrival, the Alcoa team, led by Henry Naude, noticed our volunteers were struggling, having to use buckets to water plants and flush toilets. A quick investigation revealed that the main water booster pump, crucial for the property’s water supply, had failed.

In an astonishing display of community commitment, the team immediately took action. They received approval from their site, sourced a new pump locally, and professionally installed it, fully restoring our water supply. But their generosity didn't end there—the Alcoa team later settled the ~$800 invoice for the pump. This immediate support eased a massive financial and operational burden for the garden team.

The team's impressive list of completed tasks included:

• Cleaning gutters on all buildings (removing accumulated debris).
• Clearing overgrown areas and creating a vital safe firebreak.
• Repairing wooden gates and fences.
• Constructing the unique Alcoa Arch.
• Mulching around gardens and buildings for improved water retention.
• Repairing damaged signage.

The garden's team, including Cheryl, expressed their sincere appreciation for the teamwork and community spirit shown by every volunteer.

Participating Team Members: Wayde Mainard, Henry Naude, Michael Williams, Dylan Sexton, Tia Bathgate, Phil Richardson, Darren Sivyer, and Korbin Mainard.

​We invite everyone to call in on a Saturday morning to see the incredible work for yourself, especially the magnificent Alcoa Arch!