DIVRS in Preston, Victoria, Australia | Community organisation

DIVRS

Locality: Preston, Victoria, Australia

Phone: 9480 8200

Address: 285 High Street, Preston 3072 Preston, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.divrs.org.au

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• Community organisation
• Non-governmental organisation (NGO)

25.01.2022 More info on Choko-vember (better known as our choko project )! Our choko project will house the 25 donated seedlings into the community where they'll be cultivated by local urban growers and gardeners. The crops harvested will be donated back into the DIVRS Urban Food Program to address the challenges of food insecurity in Darebin. This is a great way to build resilience in our local area and engage in a little home-grown solidarity in these difficult times of pandemic.... So what are you waiting for? Get involved and be part of the cycle gifted to us, nurtured by you, and passed back into the community! If you're Veg Squad Member, please contact us and we will arrange to foster our seedlings. If you're new to DIVRS and would like to get involved, please sign up for veg squad here https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor

24.01.2022 Who else waits, like a kid on Christmas Eve, for the nigella to bloom? This gorgeous, delicate, yet surprisingly hardy annual -- Nigella damascena, better known as Love-in-a-mist -- is blooming right now and blue-ing the gardens of Melbourne. You can eat the dried seeds, and the flower too, but we prefer to simply gaze lovingly in its direction ... #nigella #LoveInAMist #SpringFlowers

24.01.2022 Stop everything! There's a ladybird on the chamomile! This little beauty is the first of (fingers crossed) a tsunami of ladybirds in this newly established Northcote garden. Their fancy scientific name is Coccinellidae, and there are over 250 species in Australia. They're omnivorous, can live up to three years, and are a BOON for gardeners because they devour aphids and other pests. ... Embrace a 'plant it and they will come' attitude by including ladybird-attracting plants like dill, parsley, coriander, yarrow, calendula, cosmos, and natives that produce pollen and nectar. Remember to water often too, as ladybirds love a drink Have you observed your garden ecosystem lately? What's hanging out on your plants?

23.01.2022 It's that hungry time of year for bees! After a long winter and dwindling honey stores, the bees are out to stock up and make sweet honey-hay while the sun shines. By leaving your winter veggies and herbs to bolt/flower for just that little bit longer, you're feeding bees and other pollen and nectar hungry beasties like hoverflies, wasps and butterflies.... Beautiful flowers = food security for beneficial insects.

23.01.2022 Throwback to last year's late summer cucurbit installation at DIVRS HQ If you're into growing things, sharing food and feeding people, why not sign up for VegSquad? We give you free lovingly-raised seedlings to grow at home; you donate a portion back to our Emergency Food Relief program, or simply share amongst your friends and neighbours. ... That's the steeped-in-goodwill VegSquad model, and you should totally check out the link below if it sounds up your alley. Still time to get those pumpkins in for autumn harvest! https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor

22.01.2022 Reason #87 to join Veg Squad: To add colour, flavour & nutrition Rainbow Chard, Purple Carrots, Striped Tomatoes, Watermelon Radish... there’s a whole world of technicolour veggies out there!... At Veg Squad HQ we offer lesser-known or heirloom varieties of vegetables, as well as all your favourites, to keep things colourful and interesting. ‘Old school’ varieties of veg are important for maintaining precious diversity in our food system, plus, they offer some pretty cool nutritional benefits too. Did you know that blue pigments in heirloom corn are powerful antioxidants? Or that fresh, homegrown tomatoes have oodles more of that famously anti-cancer compound lycopene? And we don’t need to tell you that the taste of just-picked garden produce is positively therapeutic. Grow the rainbow. Eat the rainbow. Find out how to join Veg Squad today https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel

22.01.2022 This week, and every week, we pay our respects to the custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, and their elders past, present and emerging. First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first art...ists. NAIDOC 2020 invites all Australians to embrace the true history of this country a history which dates back thousands of generations. From www.naidoc.org.au #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #NAIDOC2020 #NAIDOCWeek #NAIDOC

22.01.2022 Happiness is a bushel of just-picked greens If you'd like to get involved with Veg Squad and start growing food for yourself, your neighbours, your friends and Darebin residents through our Emergency Relief food parcels - no experience required and free seedlings included! - simply follow the link to learn more. Together we can grow food security in Darebin. ... https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor

22.01.2022 Mala has been getting thrifty with egg carton seed raising trays, perfect for propagating summer celery! What's your favourite eco-friendly-and-frugal garden hack? #DIVRS #vegsquad #usewhatyouhave #propagation

21.01.2022 Catie & George, DIVRS vollies and lockdown seedling-minders, have been so overzealous with their covid gardening that they now have a serious glut of veg on their hands. They've taken to delivering edible bouquets of fresh greens, herbs and flowers to their local buddies in order to share the bounty. An unexpected perk? Receiving photos of people's dinnertime creations with their lovingly-gifted veg, creating a culture of reverence and waste minimisation - because when your ...mates have grown it, you don't want to waste it... ...you want to celebrate it! Local food networks aren't about putting farmers out of business, but strengthening the bonds between neighbours, cultivating local relationships, and connecting eaters with their food like never before. Oftentimes this amplifies appreciation for farmers (growing food can be tough!) and makes us even more mindful of what we eat, who we support, and how we can cherish every mouthful. Happy Friday foodies #vegsquad #foodsecurity #DIVRS #volunteer

21.01.2022 Now that we have your attention re. chokos, let's dive deeper into why these old school, newly cool climbers are a truly amazing backyard crop (and boon for food security). Join us on the blog for a convo about the many benefits of chokos! Plus, how you can adopt one of 25 chokos we've lovingly sprouted over lockdown. Click here to head to the blog https://www.divrs.org.au/new-b//11/4/spring-choko-planting

20.01.2022 Happy Salad-day everyone! Photo by Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel

20.01.2022 "Volunteering at DIVRS has been a game changer! It has helped me make friends in a new city, give back to my local community and gain hands-on food growing experience. Most of all, I feel like I’m doing something truly useful with my time." - Catie, Northcote Now that Melbourne is on track (fingers and toes crossed!), we're excited to welcome new vollies to #DIVRS and having a little more interaction with our wonderful community. If you've been itching to get involved with a... local initiative, VegSquad is a great choice if we do say so ourselves You get free seedlings AND the opportunity to 'farm good karma' by donating a portion of what you grow back to our Emergency Relief Program for people in Darebin; or simply share the bounty with friends and neighbours to engender a spirit of goodwill and community care. Simply click the link to find out more https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor #vegsqad #foodsecurity #karmafarmer

18.01.2022 A glut of greens is just a spinach pie in disguise! If you've got spectacular amounts of greens on your hands right now, you can whack 'em in a weekend-friendly tart that's just as tasty as it is nutritious. Plus, this recipe is extremely adaptable and certified foolproof. [GF SPINACH TART]... [crust] 2.5 cups blanched almond flour 3 tablespoons melted butter 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt Method: Simply combine ingredients in a bowl, press into a lined pie dish and punch some tiny holes with a fork - no need to blind bake. It might feel a little greasy, but that's totally normal. You can make a non-GF version with plain flour and cold butter, like a traditional pastry, too. [filling] Here's the flexible part. You can use any greens you have in your garden like chard, spinach, mizuna, kale or a combo. We like to cook a massive pile down in butter with a little onion, garlic and salt & pepper until they're lovely and soft. To make the filling, just whisk three eggs, crumbled feta cheese and/or grated parmesan, plus the greens together and pour into the crust. [bake] At 180C for 30-40 minutes, checking that the crust isn't burning (you can always pop a little foil over the edges to protect them). It's ready when the middle is firm and the filling is golden. [serve] With a garden salad, baked potatoes and your favourite relish. Bodyweight in greens, eaten #spinachpie #spinachandfetatart #DIVRS #backyardharvest

18.01.2022 No matter how many seeds we propagate, we still have that same feeling of excitement and joy when the first little seedling pops up! It's nice to have a little reminder in unusual times that there are still some things that are constant: Seeds, Earth, Water, Life Photo by Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel August 2020

17.01.2022 We have many Seedling Superheroes out there who stepped up to provide a safe haven for our just-germinated green babies when lockdown hit. Here's Nathan with his clutch of DIVRS seedlings. He swooped in to save them on the last day we were open before stage four restrictions, and they're looking pretty happy with their lot. Onya Nathan. Who else is minding DIVRS seedlings?

16.01.2022 Love this quote from Gardens For Wildlife Melbourne "If we’re to live gently alongside our wildlife, we need to avoid pesticides and herbicides, minimise interference with our environments, and embrace a... messier-looking landscape than we’re probably used to. We must start seeing our flora and fauna as intrinsically inter-connected with our lives, as well valuable and beautiful in their own right." Snap from @catieoftheouthernwild

15.01.2022 Heading out for a Saturday coffee? Planning to use the loo over the weekend? If you answered 'yeah!' to either of those things (and we hope you did), be sure to save your cups and rolls for propagation. ... Here's Mala showing us how it's done with silverbeet seeds, propagated at home using spent coffee cups and loo rolls. The perfect size, made with compostable organic materials. There are so many ways to repurpose and reduce waste in the garden. Do you have any favourites?

14.01.2022 Reason #112 to join Veg Squad: To tackle climate change One of the biggest contributing factors to emissions, environmental degradation and climate change is industrial agriculture.... From clearing land for crops to spraying harmful chemicals, destroying healthy topsoil to shipping produce around the world, promoting food waste while decreasing nutrition, our globalised food system has a lot to answer for. The more food we can grow locally, the better! And what’s more local than your own backyard? It’s not about becoming entirely self-sufficient, but part of a growing movement; a groundswell of people keen to reconnect with what they eat, foster food security in their communities, and improve the health of the planet - one seedling at a time. Head here to learn more about Veg Squad https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor

13.01.2022 What would we do without our amazing volunteers? Not much! Thank you to everyone who's involved, in any capacity, with #DIVRS and #VegSquad. ... You're growing community resilience right alongside your seedlings, and we're chuffed to be part of such a brilliant network of caring people. You know who you are #volunteerappreciation #volliesofdarebin #vollielyfe #DIVRS

13.01.2022 DIVRS is inviting applicants for the Executive Officer position. This is a leadership role with responsibility for program management and advocacy of DIVRS. Business acumen in the not-for-profit sector and experience in community development is essential. As an effective communicator and negotiator, the Executive Officer will collaborate and build partnerships with relevant organisations; develop effective relationships with representatives from all levels of government, fund...ers and supporters and work closely with the Committee of Governance to build the profile of DIVRS. Applications close: 5:00 PM AEDT, 4th Dec 2020 https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members//executive-officer-1

13.01.2022 This week is National Road Safety Week. Every year, approximately 1200 people are killed and another 44,000 are seriously injured on Australian roads. Traffic injury is the biggest killer of Australian children under 15 and the second-biggest killer of all Australians aged between 15 and 24. This year’s events include the exclusive online screening of the 'Distractions' Re:act documentary, which focuses on road safety for young people, on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 6:00 ...PM. For further information and events please visit the Road Safety Week website. https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/events-calender #tacl2p #divrs #vicroads

13.01.2022 Alchemy: the process of turning kitchen scraps and garden debris into GOLD. Composting can feel a little daunting at first. Who hasn't thrown all their veggie scraps into a backyard bin and watched, horrified, as they rotted into a stinky puddle of slime? Never fear! Composting is kind of like baking a cake (except you have billions of microorganisms playing sous chef). Once you get a feel for the ingredients, ratios and essentials like warmth, moisture and air, you'll be win...ning at decomposition and giving rich, nutritious goodness back to your garden. If you're keen to give composting a red hot crack, our amazing council #darebin has discounts on various bins and home composting setups (like Bokashi) and runs regular workshops, too. You can find lots of info on their website > darebin.vic.gov.au. (And, insider's tip, subscribing to their sustainability newsletter will keep you in the loop with a host of free, local workshops and events.) Hurrah! #composting #gardengold #backyardsofdarebin #DIVRS

12.01.2022 So, what does DIVRS do exactly? It's a question we get with some regularity because, truth be told, there are quite a few 'arms' of this organisation! Our aim is simple: to offer resources that protect and support vulnerable members of the Darebin Community.... In practice that looks like Emergency Food Relief, Migrant Driver & L2P Programs, our Urban Food Program (FruitSquad & VegSquad), a No Interest Loans Scheme amongst many other avenues of support and community connection. Head to our website to learn more, or say hello in the comments if you're part of one our programs https://www.divrs.org.au/

09.01.2022 It's amazing how what plants can do! This particular Tomato plant is now 13 months old. My four year old and myself sang happy birthday to it the other day while we gave it a "haircut". We have it in the greenhouse and when it came winter, we decided we were going to give it a chance with extra care. ... Guessing the vines are at least 3-4m long even after all the pruning. Tomatoes are beautiful prolific producers and this one plant has certainly brought us and people around us, kilograms of food and joy! Can't wait for our new seedlings to go in! Happy growing. Story from Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel, August 2020

07.01.2022 On the road again! The Darebin TAC L2P Program has recommenced after easing of Covid-19 restrictions. If you are interested in helping young people in Darebin achieve independence by gaining their licence, please visit our website or contact DIVRS for more information.... #tacl2p #divrs #vicroads (Photo TAC L2P program vehicle)

06.01.2022 It's official! We are back onsite! We have done loads of weeding, organising and planting and we will have our new summer crop coming through very soon. We will be accepting donations of fruit and vegetables via our back gate starting next Monday 30th November.

05.01.2022 Mint is ubiquitous (and blissfully easy to grow) in urban spaces, but did you know it was a symbol of hospitality in Ancient Greece where it was rubbed on tables to welcome visitors? Or that in the Middle East, mint was (and is) the tea of choice to serve as a cooling elixir to guests on arrival? Or that there are over 600 types of mint (including the native Australian River Mint) -- but usually 'mint' is referring to peppermint or spearmint?... There's so much to love about this humble garden helper who's happy to hang out in damp, shady or overgrown corners until such time as you need it for tea, tzatzkiki or lamb #mint #mentha #peppermint #backyardsofdarebin #DIVRS

04.01.2022 This edible bouquet of kale, mizuna lettuce, chard, calendula and sweet pea blooms was swapped for an equally-as-fragrant posie of wild violet, rocket and bushel of backyard lemons. Aren't neighbours the best? Snap by @catieofthesouthernwild

04.01.2022 Feeding people something you grew is one of the warmest, fuzziest, proudest feelings out there. What's your most memorable/favourite homegrown meal?

04.01.2022 Kim Ng's cukes are looking good! Who else is ahead of the summer crop curve? @araucana_and_chanel September 2020

03.01.2022 The last of the cool weather crops making way for a sea of solanaceae and summery edibles! Hope your weekend harvest includes just as many green things and fewer holey socks.

03.01.2022 So what is VegSquad, anyway? Veg Squad is a team of at home volunteer growers in Darebin. DIVRS supplies seedlings and our volunteers plant them in their backyards, harvesting the bounty to share with Darebin residents through our Emergency Relief food parcels. ... Food insecurity has always been an issue in Darebin and DIVRS has been working for 30 years to do something about it. During the pandemic we've seen a spike in people accessing our programs -- both as clients and volunteers. It’s been really encouraging to see so many people in Darebin getting in their own gardens and growing more fresh produce for themselves and their family. We encourage you to sign up now for summer planting planning and together we will grow a huge amount of food for our most vulnerable residents. Learn more here > https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor

03.01.2022 Vanessa's Sprouting Chokos, August 2020 Why chokos? Food security is more than just providing food for members of the community in need. It's about a sustainable food system and sustainable food community. ... Our project introduces a highly nutritious, drought resistant crop into our local food system. Chokos are highly nutritious containing vitamin C, folate, pantothenic acid and vitamin E. The chokos low water stress and vertical growth means that it requires less space and hydration, bringing the opportunity to grow crops in smaller spaces with less environmental impact. Its high nutrition and yield give it awesome impact in our efforts to address food insecurity in Darebin.

02.01.2022 Welcome to Choko-vember! Here at DIVRS, while winter and the pandemic forced us into isolation, we’ve not been idle. One of our projects has been nurturing choko plants. 25 little plants from donated chokos, to be precise, which have emerged ready for spring! (Thanks @kat.lavers)... What are chokos? Chokos, also known as chayote, vegetable pear, or mango squash, are a climbing vegetable that looks a bit like a pear. They're native to South America and parts of Asia and are a fantastic source of nutrients, with loads of vitamin C, folate, pantothenic acid, and vitamin E. They’re a super productive crop producing up to 60kg of food from one plant! Exactly the crop we need to support our food system. We are looking for volunteers from the community to adopt our choko plants! Any takers? Once we find some homes, we'll follow them as they grow into climbing, cooling, feeding machines. Stay tuned to choko-vember #choko #chokovember #foodsecurity #VegSqaud #DIVRS

02.01.2022 Is four-year-old Esme watering her seedlings with an upcycled drink bottle the cutest thing you've seen all day? Kids and plants have a natural affinity. Start 'em young. Thank you for the beautiful snap Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel

02.01.2022 Chooks: they eat scraps and poo gold. The ultimate pet! Here are Kim Ng's ladies happily doing their thing in the shrubbery @araucana_and_chanel

01.01.2022 Reason #65 to join Veg Squad: To green your thumbs! Growing food is a life skill, and one of the most delicious hobbies going ‘round. But, it can feel a little daunting if you’re just starting out. ... Never fear! Veg Squad makes it easy to hone your veggie whispering skills within a community of growers who have your back. Along with your free seedlings, you’ll gain confidence *and* a network of knowledgeable, supportive and inspiring gardening friends. Pretty soon, you’ll have ten green fingers and ten green toes. Find out how to join Veg Squad today https://www.divrs.org.au/urban-food-program-volunteer-oppor P.S - This is Amrita's gorgeous little daughter, one of our DIVRS vollies and superstar gardener!

01.01.2022 My name is Ali, and I'm a Preston local. I got involved in the Veg Squad program because I'm keen to support accessible and sustainable produce for people in my community who might not be able to access it otherwise. I work in mental health and know just how important the basic material need of nutritious food is to our emotional wellbeing. ... I would describe myself as a seasoned houseplant owner (there are more than fifteen in our little two bedroom apartment) but am relatively new to growing herbs and fresh produce. I'm excited to build up my little balcony garden, with the help of my rescue greyhound who loves to sniff around and get involved whenever I'm out there. #vegsquad #growathome #springtime #smallspaces #edible gardens See more

01.01.2022 Soon. #summertomatoes #tomatoseason #cherrytoms by Kim Ng @araucana_and_chanel August 2020