Avalon Public School’s old roofing materials enjoy a new life at Government House in the form of a Kimbriki wicking garden bed
Kimbriki’s Eco House and Garden team have just completed an inspiring reuse initiative, which saw Avalon Public School’s old roofing materials end up with a new look, a new life, and a new home at Government House.
The reuse initiative began earlier this year when Avalon Public School was scheduled to have their aging roof replaced in an infrastructure upgrade.
When removed, the old metal roofing materials were transported to Kimbriki for recycling through Kimbriki’s metal recycling program. Kimbriki’s site attendants spotted the materials coming in and consulted with Kimbriki’s Senior Ecologist Peter Rutherford and the idea of Kimbriki’s wicking garden beds was born.
The Kimbriki wicking garden beds were handcrafted onsite by Andy O’Sullivan using the metal roofing sheets and recycled timber and are designed so the water ‘wicks upwards’ into the soil, like a candle wick, using 60-80% less water than conventional garden beds. Kimbriki’s Senior Ecologist Peter Rutherford noted, “We are seeing increasing community interest in learning about wicking beds and more and more people and schools are installing them.”
In August 2020, Kimbriki were fortunate to be invited to host Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales on a virtual site tour of Kimbriki as part of Her Excellency’s COVID community outreach program. During the virtual site tour CEO Peter Davis updated The Governor on Kimbriki’s promotion of reuse initiatives and post tour offered to install a Kimbriki wicking garden bed on the grounds of Government House.
Peter Rutherford and the Eco House and Garden team attended Government House in September to install the Kimbriki wicking garden beds in the grounds at Government House, and again in November to plant out a selection of lettuce and greens, and establish possum protection netting. On both occasions the team were incredibly lucky to be graced by the presence of Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales who even joined in planting a selection of plant seedlings in the garden bed.
The Governor stated, “It is important these days to adopt ecological and environmentally sustainable practices whenever possible, and I appreciate the focus on reusing materials for the wicking garden beds – it is a wonderful initiative . ”
“I am looking forward to seeing how the wicking garden bed goes here at Government House and enjoying some fresh greens straight from the garden”.
Kimbriki CEO Peter Davis, said that “Kimbriki are very proud to have created a product that reuses old materials like the Avalon School roofing, is environmentally friendly, and now graces the gardens at Government House.”
Peter Davis also highlighted “Leading into the festive season, it is a really good time to think about waste, reuse and recycling.”
“Christmas is our busiest time of year at Kimbriki, with many families visiting pre and post Christmas.
“This Christmas, when purchasing new items, or throwing out old we challenge you to think about the 4 R’s, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and make sure that we make a conscious effort to limit the amount of items ending up in landfill.”
For more information on how to set up your own wicking bed at home go to www.kimbriki.com.au
Pictured: Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, Governor of New South Wales planting seedlings in Kimbriki Wicking Garden Bed at Government House.