I passionately believe in the power of nature to improve our social, physical and mental health and well-being.
About me
I’m Melissa, a Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, Educator, Support Worker and a proud full member of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia.
I love gardening! I tend a large home garden on 2.75 acres, including native, ornamental and edible gardens, using regenerative gardening practices and permaculture principles.
I cultivate soil, make a lot of compost, keep worms, bees, ducks, chickens and grow as much nutrient-dense food as I can.
My garden is dynamic and full of life, below and above ground. It is my exercise, my inspiration, a place of respite, restoration, learning and awe.
Contact me at melissa@hortopia.com.au on Instagram @_hortopia or through Mable.
What I do
Therapeutic Gardening – Social and Therapeutic Horticulture
Tailored gardening programs for individuals or groups to cultivate:
- social interactions and build connections
- meaningful and purposeful activity
- learning new skills, build confidence and grow self-esteem
- creativity and fun
- light physical exercise
- access to grow and harvest organic nutrient-dense food
- deeper connection and appreciation of nature
- improved wellbeing and quality of life.
I design and deliver, person-centred programs for aged care, community social support groups and local council programs, to support people living with a disability, cognitive impairment or social isolation.
I provide companionship gardening for gardeners with an NDIS plan or a My Aged Care package in their home gardens, in supported living and community gardens.
New program!
Open for enrolment: Flourish Therapeutic Gardening Program at Panton Hill Neighbourhood House, follow the link or call 9433 3744 to discuss your interest.
Education
I teach gardeners of all abilities, adapting activities to the seasons and gardener’s interests, using a skills-based and theory learning approach.
I create tailored educational programs, multi-week or one-off workshops for:
- Adults with an interest in career and study pathways in Horticulture through Adult Community and Further Education (ACFE) funding – Learn Local
- Leisure and Lifestyle professionals looking to incorporate gardening activities into lifestyle programs in aged care or community support organisations
- Residents who love to garden, socialise and share knowledge in an in-house gardening club
- Interest groups or social support groups
- Volunteers who attend a Community Garden
Testimonials
“Melissa’s enthusiastic and generous spirit for sharing her extensive knowledge of all things horticultural has been inspirational.
I now appreciate and engage with that intrinsic dialogue that occurs each moment in the living green spaces around us, no matter how small, or where they may be.
Soil is no longer just dirt to me. It is life.” ~ Claudia
“The workshop was fantastic, not just in terms of what we learnt, more importantly, I found the experience nurturing and relaxing. As a carer for my husband with dementia, the workshop was one of the few times I have spent for ages, that was just for me!” ~ Robyn
“I cannot speak highly enough about the teacher, Melissa. So so knowledgeable. I found her engaging and very passionate about gardening. The teacher is the person who has made me “stick it out”. ~ Joanne
Programs and Workshops:
Flourish Therapeutic Gardening Program
Panton Hill Living & Learning Hub, Wednesdays 10am – 1pm, Term 4 2024
Call 9433 3744 to discuss your interest.
Weekly Community Gardening program (free)
Panton Hill Living & Learning Hub, Fridays 3-5pm (during school terms)
Waterwise wicking beds
Edendale Farm Eltham, Saturday 9 November 2024 – 10am – 12:30pm
Introduction to Horticulture, All Abilities
Edendale Farm Eltham, Term 4 2024
Contact me for more information – melissa@hortopia.com.au
Growing Food at Home
Olympic Adult Education – Bellfield Community Centre, Thursdays 10 weeks
17 October – 19 December, 2024 9:30am -1:30pm
Grow A Food Garden
Fawkner Neighbourhood House, Fridays 10 weeks
11 October – 13 December, 2024 – 9:30am – 1:30pm
Companion plants and crop rotation
Edendale Farm Eltham, Autumn 2025 – 10am – 12:30pm
Wellways, Carers gardening program – Contact Wellways on 1300 111 400
Member since 2021.
