28 October 2011

Calling all green thumbs

Eastern Suburbs gardeners have been busy “mucking in” to support Amnesty International’s Spring Plant Fair being held tomorrow at the St Heliers Community Centre.

It will be the Amnesty International Remuera group’s major fundraiser of the year, and is being held in celebration of the organisation’s 50th birthday.

“Activism does work, and we’re celebrating” says group member Jeanette Miller.

“For years our group has campaigned for our adopted political prisoners in Libya, and now Gaddafi’s gone.”

“We’ve also been working on cases in Myanmar and this month we’ve had news of our prisoners’ release.”

The group recently screened a documentary featuring Zarganar a comedian in Myanmar who was imprisoned in June 2008 for his humanitarian efforts in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. He was released on 12 October.

“The plant sale is a new idea for us” says Jeanette. “But with the eastern suburbs populated by gardening enthusiasts it seemed like a rich lode to tap.”

Group members have been propagating and potting everything from kitchen herbs to native trees. “And it’s not just plants – we’re collecting tools, pots, books, ornaments, anything to do with the garden,” says Jeanette.

“We’ve also had tremendous support from the wider community, and contributions have been pouring in, though we’d always welcome more.”

Jeanette, or her husband, group chairman Richard Green, can be contacted on 09 521-2050 by anyone with items to contribute.

Where: St Heliers Community Centre -100 St Heliers Bay Rd.
When: 8.00am Saturday 29 October.

ENDS

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