Wasteland to Wellspring: a community garden for Newstead’s Arts Hub

Building on the revitalisation of our disused railway station into a vibrant community Arts Hub in 2015, this beautiful garden will transform the station’s surrounds from a wasteland into a rich, evocative and sensory environment. Offering spaces for community celebration, cultural activities and quiet reflection, the garden will honour our layered history - Dja Dja Wurrung, miners, farmers and townies - and our precious riverside environment. Created by and for the community, the garden will be open to everyone, inviting their participation and enjoyment. Wildlife friendly and climate resilient, this welcoming garden will be a wellspring of creativity.

With VicTrack support, Newstead - home to a large artistic circle - restored its disused railway station, creating a new arts focus on the western side of town. Opened in 2015, the self-funded Newstead Railway Arts Hub hosts exhibitions, workshops and community celebrations; around 50 artists and 1200 visitors annually.

We have a lovingly restored and well-used building, but the surroundings remain an uninviting wasteland; muddy in winter, hot and unshaded in summer, inaccessible for wheelchairs and prams.

Now, we have created a garden design to inspire and connect our community; funding through Pick My Project will realise our vision.