Newly launched in Melbourne, GROW Gardens is a social enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful, paid employment pathways for young First Nations Victorians through horticulture.
Founded in 2025, GROW Gardens combines commercial-quality horticultural services with social purpose. Every project not only enhances green spaces across Melbourne but also provides First Nations youth with paid work, mentoring and long-term opportunities.
GROW Gardens is ‘growing’ rapidly, with the City of Melbourne among its first clients. It has also completed successful projects for Stowe and many residential gardens via PBG. So far, three First Nations youth from across Melbourne have been employed and trained in 2025.
GROW Gardens partners with the Killara Foundation to ensure its crew members receive wrap-around support, including wellbeing check-ins, cultural safety and mentoring.
City of Melbourne project milestone
GROW Gardens reached its first major milestone recently with a rooftop project for the City of Melbourne. The team, composed of First Nations youth crew members, planted a culturally significant garden featuring native foods such as Murnong Daisies, Bulbine Lilies, and Chocolate and Vanilla Lilies.
“This project is about more than greenery – it’s about bringing culture and community together,” said City of Melbourne’s head of Aboriginal Melbourne portfolio, Councillor Dr Olivia Ball. “We’re proud to partner with GROW Gardens to enliven our rooftop space – creating a place for employees to connect, while also supporting meaningful employment opportunities for young First Nations Melburnians.”
Growing futures, not just gardens
GROW Gardens co-founder Damian Walsh said this project with the City of Melbourne is just the beginning.
“Every GROW Gardens project is an opportunity to create both beautiful landscapes and brighter futures,” said Walsh. “Partnering with us means getting reliable, commercial-quality gardening, while also investing in the next generation of First Nations leaders. It was a privilege to showcase our amazing team in action during the City of Melbourne project.”
The organisation is now calling on councils, developers and contractors to consider GROW Gardens as a delivery partner that combines social procurement outcomes with tangible, on-the-ground impact.
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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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