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We've lost our Greatest Teacher

2/6/2017

27 Comments

 
The past six months have been extremely hectic.
November & December are always busy with events and the mad rush to somehow clean everywhere (home and work!) by Christmas Eve, or the day before you leave for holidays.
The first two weeks of January included the finishing touches on our beautiful new Library, and whilst the plan was to then only do small jobs for the remainder of the time - no... we decided to completely gut the bike track area, including dry creek bed and 20 years worth of chip bark, just to make it look 'fresh'.
After this the realisation of participating in a (serious) season of surf boat rowing with an extra decade under the belt, renovating a house, running a business and taking care of a family was not as carefree as I recall from my 20s!
After a disappointing cancellation of our National Titles we were straight off to Ireland for the best friend's wedding, only to return at the beginning of May.
I blinked and six months just flew by.

Now that the calm is setting in (thank goodness) and I have time to partake in the 'think tank' jobs, it has dawned on me over the past fortnight that we have been missing something these past six months.
We have actually lost our greatest teacher.

Duncan McNaught fist began sharing his knowledge with our children back in 2013, when my own daughter Niamh was in Kindergarten. From that first Urban Food Street adventure a wonderful relationship formed.
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Over the next few years we became much more frequent visitors to Food Street.
Our children harvested rosellas, turmeric, sweet corn, pumpkin, cabbages, lemons and much more.
We dug with our hands, washed produce with the hose, cut with the secateurs, tasted with all of our senses!
Duncan always kept us on task "Come on guys - this is serious work we're doing now!"
One could quite easily underestimate the learning environment that such a place is for children.
Not only were the children gaining knowledge on various types of produce, there were so many other important learning opportunities occurring simultaneously.
We'll start on the physical. Obviously walking to and from and around Urban Food Street was big enough in itself, but then all of the other muscle groups like squeezing the hose or a pair of secateurs, digging into the ground with your hands or a shovel, carrying produce, or using your hands and fingers to peel.
The there is the social. During our visits to Urban Food Street the children are talking to each other, to Duncan, to other residents or people walking their dog. They are asking for things and taking turns. They are discovering new words for their ever growing vocabulary. They are curious and not afraid to ask.
My favourite was a question from Shi Qi (4 years old) last year who interrupted Duncan mid sentence to ask him "But Duncan, why are you so old?"
Duncan laughed like anything, took it in his stride, said something about how old he was and then continued with what he was sharing with the children about.
And we can even mention the more 'academic' outcomes too if that floats your boat. On many walks to Urban Food Street children began to point out the house numbers and then they began to look for them on the walls and letter boxes, and recite the numbers on the front. The older children would then share that knowledge with the younger children. Number 10 is actually in a big tree. Then there are all of the street signs along the way, not to mention the Urban Food Street community chalk boards (telling of upcoming working bees etc.) and also the little produce signs.
And let us not underestimate the most important outcome for all of our children - wellbeing.
The children being able to spend a few hours of their day wandering around the verges of Urban Food Street with their friends - actually, not just children - anyone!
We could go on and list community involvement, sustainability, health, safety and many more, however I think you get the picture.
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As we visited more and more, our children began to share their knowledge and skills - to the point that our families became curious. Then began our quarterly family walks, a beautiful start to the day with a 45 minute walk around the verges led by Duncan and finishing with a complimentary breakfast.
These mornings were such a highlight - with many families bringing grandparents, uncles, aunties, older brothers and sisters, babies in strollers and family friends. They were always filled with questions (from all ages!), sharing of knowledge and lots of laughs.
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Six months ago the residents of Urban Food Street each received a letter from the local council stating that they would need to get permits and $20 million public liability insurance if they wished to continue growing, after a complaint was made about the appearance of the street and the safety of the verge gardens

At the time, we shared our sympathy and offered our support.
But I fear it is too late and perhaps we could have done more.
And now we pay the price - we have lost a valuable part of our program and our community.

Yesterday we were all in shock with the news that the council moved in, cut down, and massacred all of the fruit trees growing outside Clithero House (Duncan's house). They did not even stop to allow the residents of Food Street to save the produce which was all ripe and ready, and in huge abundance.

What message are we giving to our children by vandalising this community?
​In an age where we are apparently promoting sustainability, we tear down mature fruit trees laden with the best produce around and just toss it in the bin. In an age where mental health disease is at an alarming all time high, we ask such an initiative which has boosted local community health and wellbeing in immeasurable amounts that they pay Public Liability Insurance. In an age where families are becoming more and more disengaged with each other we cut out the heart of a real community.
​8 years of passionate, hard work to hopefully make a change for the next generation... just taken away.

I have never witnessed any of our children walk into a lemon tree, trip over a cabbage or crack their head open on a nasturtium leaf. What I have witnessed in Urban Food Street is a beautiful and caring environment for our children to share, learn and grow in - a 5/5 on The Leuven Scales for Well Being and Involvement.
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Those with children, or working with children would hope not only that their children are happy and involved, but that they also know right from wrong.
On a walk down to UFS to witness the destruction yesterday, my little friend Flossie told me "They're very mean!"
She nailed it.
27 Comments
Glenda Inverarity
2/6/2017 14:51:40

I am crying😢

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Christopher White
3/6/2017 00:37:14

Amen

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Sharon Kerr
3/6/2017 13:58:00

I'm totally bewildered by what the Sunshine Coast Council have done here at Urban Food Street. Why couldn't someone at Council with an ounce of common sense, purchase the $100 Public Liability Insurance required and then they wouldn't look like the nasties that they now appear to be today. Shame on you SCC.

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Fasha Steen
4/6/2017 07:05:05

What small minded petty group of people
could do this (the councillors).
Thank you for sharing this very sad story
Shame on them. Send your story to Costa

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judith niedorfer
2/6/2017 14:52:22

I have been following progress of this project for quite a while. I live in SA but the coverage on TV and facebook has been great. It is a model for so many communities but the action of the council will deter many people in other places. I was heartbroken to read of the chopping down of the fruit trees. 8 years and more of nurturing to just have it all taken away. Just wrong in so many ways.

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Cheryl Grose
2/6/2017 14:54:26

Well said Molly. 👍👍

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Sara dillon
2/6/2017 16:31:14

Well said I'm truly saddened

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Annie
2/6/2017 17:22:07

Great article..just wondering ..what was Duncan's issue (and others) with complying with Council's request to get a permit and liability insurance?? I read most people did comply, and the fruit trees were taken from in front of someone's house who chose not to comply, so deadline was met, as is some other people's deadline coming up.
Just trying to understand...

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Gail Crimmins
2/6/2017 20:11:47

Hello Annie,
This wasn't Duncan's 'issue' - it was an UBS decision not to comply with SCC requests for permits where they could not guarantee we could continue to grow fruit, veggies and herbs; and where they could not guarantee that there would not be a future fee for the permits. Many of us in the UFS failed to apply for a permit for these reasons. The SCC statement that this was one person's non-compliance is wring. Chris White gave an interview to ABC where he addressed the fact that many of us failed to apply for a permit.

In addition, the council do not request a permit for planting an ornamental (which is pretty but cannot nurture or feed), and poor chemical filled concrete into our soil to create footpaths without permit or care.

This is a fundamental issue concerning how we use land and harness resources. Let's not forget that we do not own the land, and neither do the SCC. We are but custodians of this land, and our duty is to protect it. When trees pregnant with fruit, the homes of birds and bees, are massacred it harms the community and us all.

Duncan should have been rewarded for what he has created here at UFS, not punished,

Thank you Molly for your comprehensive and beautifully illustrated of the relationship between UFS and Milford Lodge. It is lovely that you recognise the many seen and unseen benefits of a communal urban food street environment.

With every best wish,
Gail

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Ronald Martens
3/6/2017 12:25:36

I'm just learning of this now with fruit trees been cut down and mulched. What about the actual workers doing this task. What goes through their minds, or are they just working without thinking or any empathy.
We learn from this occurrence how Shires run a business. The Government do the same.
I think this was a great innovation and their should be more of this community with growing fruits and veges. In holland people own small pieces of land where they grow fruit and veges. Here perhaps, there should be a push for more community growing fruit trees, vegetables etc. More importantly Gm and pescitide free.
The Governments take more natural bushland to build roads or wider freeways.

Kim McFadzen
2/6/2017 17:47:27

A wonderful & well-written article. Well done Molly! This council move is such a disgrace!!! So many of us are heartbroken by this ruthless, horrible act. Have a look around the world, seriously!!!! More than a total waste of Council funds, but more importantly, a total oversight of the true values behind this concept- the spirit of 'kindness' & 'giving', also health education - set-up for generations to come... Makes no sense at all to people with a solid moral fibre. 'Power' is to play here, and that is such a wicked and unhealthy force. Very sad! :-(

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Tash Treveton link
2/6/2017 19:04:37

That is a bloody tragedy...... it shows how wrong society can be, you guys are an inspiration, can i share?

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Sally
2/6/2017 20:15:25

Annie: in the 6 months there were 23 that got a permit. 10 moved their trees. One, apparently Duncan, did neither and those trees were removed.

Permits were free, and as long as the garden met some saftey and access conditons they didn't need their own liability insurance.

I am happy that 23 people got the free permits so most of the gardens remain, plus they met the safety and access requirements to be covered by council public liability so that's good too.

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Raylene
2/6/2017 21:43:22

Sally: As Gail has said above, this is a fundamental issue concerning how we are use land and harness resources. The council does not request a permit for planting an ornamental, so one has to question why a permit was suddenly made a requirement for food plants, after years for this project? Sunshine Coast Council as I understand it, would not guarantee that obtaining the permits would mean the group could continue to grow fruit, veggies and herbs. They would also not guarantee that there would not be a future fee for the permits, once people has begun to apply for them in the first place. It was a UFS decision to stand firm on not applying for permits and many of the members of UFS have not applied for permits for the reasons given above (not required for other types of plants/no guarantee that a permit would remain free or ensure future ability to grow food). The SCC statement that this was one person's non-compliance is simply a lie, designed to convince people that it was just one person not 'doing the right thing'. Chris White gave an interview to ABC where he addressed the fact that many refused to apply for a permit on the grounds outlined above. The fact that they targeted Duncan's property and those fruit trees, given his deep level of involvement in establishing and operating UFS seems unlikely to be a coincidence. To consider that this was premeditated and deliberate in it's targeting is deeply concerning. To not stand up to the council on this issue is to accept a future state where the people have less and less power to determine what is right for themselves. What council is trying to enforce is not right, morally or socially and I take my hat of to the residents of UFS for standing up to this.



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Christopher White
3/6/2017 00:44:21

Thank you raylene you just summed it up beautifully and correctly

Cheryl Neal link
4/6/2017 13:11:44

What you have stated is very true.
I have a large area of council land that I must look after.
Plants etc.
Two trees that are dead & they as a Council say that their is NO funding.
Over fighting with them

Allen Barber
2/6/2017 23:38:11

Mean spirited Councillors. Remember them at the next election. Chainsaw Jamieson and his wrecking crew.

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Cheril Kanr
3/6/2017 08:04:13

A gross injustice. The threat of litigation seems to drive people and councils to make morally wrong fear driven rules. Basic commonsense didnt prevail. So so sad. What a waste.


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Kate Fulton
3/6/2017 09:32:10

Shame on you Sunshine Coast Council. Such a community resource and investment showing the way forward torn down and vandalised by a council that does not practice what it preaches.

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Rose Power
3/6/2017 12:04:16

I am sitting here weeping after reading this, how sad for the community, sometimes red tape gets it's so wrong, I wish the council would stop and actually work for its community rather that just satisfying its own agenda, I am praying that a solution can be found so that this wonderful garden can be again.

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Kathy Zabel
3/6/2017 17:28:13

After reading everyone's comments I am sadden beyond measure to think that the council could not see the importance of this wonderful project. I cannot comprehend on any level why a) the council did not get behind this project, b) help to fund it & assist in whatever liabilyinsurance that it required c) not then try to implement this project across their whole region? Just think how forward thinking would this council have been if they had done this? How much support would they have received by the community? How they then would be considered to be a council that other regions would of looked to & maybe they in turn would then try to do the same? All I see in my region & others is the lose of decent size blocks - where a family can never have a yard for their children to play in safely . Houses nearly touching each other & destroying what privacy one might have. No yard big enough to have a decent shed or to have vegetable gardens or trees. It breaks my heart to see what these councils, government & developers are doing to slowly destroy our communities. Yes it's good to have decent playgrounds etc placed into these new areas for children. But as a parent I couldn't allow my child to go there without proper supervision for fear of someone harming my children. So to read how wonderful this project was & the far reaching implications that it had into encouraging the local community to come together & learn & grow together. It makes me yearn
To live in such an environment. Just think how much it might be saving people from so many things, goes beyond saying. Shame on the council for what they have done & their narrow mindedness. I applaud Duncan & the residents for taking a stand against the council & their lack of guarantees & support.

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Pieta harris
3/6/2017 21:59:46

Molly, this sums it up brilliantly. We drive through there today and Blaze (one of the many children who has been to food Street many times with you and Milford) wanted to stop and talk to you because he is quite distressed that the trees are gone as the visits made such an impact on him and he wants to make sure you know about how "the bad guys" took the trees away.
The damage this action has done to the whole community of Buderim is more far reaching than the power mad beaureucrats who started and forced this action could ever imagine. Our council is supposed to be creating and fostering a greater sense of community for future generations. Not creating a place where they are seen as the "bad guys" as they set about destroying it.

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Molly
6/6/2017 06:45:49

Pieta, We were thinking of Blaze just after this happened and knew he would be devastated!
I remember the time asking him why we were going to Food Street and he screamed out "Because we're running out of food????!!!!"
We were actually going to share some pineapple with Duncan from my neighbours farm, that he could plant the heads after... but I absolutely loved his very Hollywood response, but he did actually think we were running out of food and had to go back for more. He knows where food comes from ;)

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Sarah Thompson
4/6/2017 08:48:46

What a wonderfully written article. I found it quite distressing to believe that something that provided such contextual learning across so many areas, could not be viewed as valuable by your council. Those lessons, of growing, and harvesting, of where food comes from, of the work required to produced it, of how it is can be used, of its value, are gold standard, the ability to develop unique and special places to be nurtured - just gob smacked really that the community didn't see the value, and work with the project to solve the issues that concerned others rather than destroy it. Hoping you and the wonderful Duncan can go again to create another magic space.

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Donna Potts
4/6/2017 12:17:16

I understand Ted Hungerford is the Councilor behind the push for the permits. It is hard to understand why a permit is necessary for a plant or tree that bears edible food as opposed to a plant or tree that bears flowers. I have had challenges with Ted Hungerford previously and cannot understand why he is continually elected or has little opposition in his electorate. Do people feel there is anything that can be done to overturn this rediculous law for permits and insurance?

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Vivien Kells
6/6/2017 08:46:10

I was a resident of Nambour many years ago and was aghast at the rationale the council used. I would have sincerely applauded the whole street for their community minded attitude and wonder why anyone would complain. Keeping the space pest free would have been my only concern - but not an insurmountable problem. Councils spray for mosquito infestations! I wonder if these intransigent and petulant men realise how badly they are no regarded and how they have affected my thoughts of returning to the town.

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Linda
9/6/2017 05:57:22

so sorry to see this happening and thankyou for sharing the story of our Greatest teacher very heartwarming to hear that everyone loved the gardens so much etc .
I can only imagine what likeminded people all over Australia must be feeling, and also people from overseas.

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