Kathy Moore, Margita Chudziak and Lisa Porter from the Roleystone Organic Growers.
Camera IconKathy Moore, Margita Chudziak and Lisa Porter from the Roleystone Organic Growers. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Roleystone Organic Growers still sprouting connections after 25 years

Jessica WarrinerComment News

THE Roleystone Organic Growers are celebrating 25 years of green-thumbed goodness in the Hills.

The group began in 1992, after founder Kathy Moore realised that travelling all the way to Wembley for organic growers meetings was simply too difficult for someone with a young family.

Lisa Porter and Viv Keelty took over the group a few years later, with Margita Chudziak organising the seed bank.

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“People from all walks of life come. Whether they’re young, whether they’re old – wherever they’re at, they come,” Mrs Porter, who has been the Roleystone Organic Growers’ convenor for over two decades, said.

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Not only does the group offer the opportunity to learn about all things organic and sustainable, it serves as a hub for the local community to get together.

“A little old lady in Gosnells called me and asked if someone could pick her up and bring her to the meetings,” Mrs Porter said.

“They want to live a cleaner, greener, more sustainable life. The group is for that.”

While the group may have started out as a means of bringing organic growing tips closer to home, attendees now come from everywhere to learn from the Roley Growers.

Mrs Porter said members drive in from North Dandelup to Quinns Rocks, and their email list was constantly expanding, currently reaching out to more than 450 people.

The group’s next meeting is about seed cleaning and storage, with a focus on local seeds and how to save them.

“It’s important because we need to have heritage, non-hybrid seeds that have grown in our area and can grow in our soils. Not the ones you buy in major hardware stores, they come from the U.K,” Mrs Porter said.

“(We have) seeds that have been grown mostly in WA, it’s a local seed bank, so it works in our conditions and in our weather.”

Bring your seed skills up to scratch and celebrate 25 years of the Roleystone Organic Growers at their next gathering on Wednesday April 12 at 7.30pm at the Roleystone Family Centre (19 Wygonda Road, Roleystone).

Entry is $3, and all enquiries can be directed to Lisa Porter on 9399 2312.