Based on a permaculture model, Friendship Garden is a harmonious, educational and multicultural space for Illawarra’s Afghan, Iranian and wider community.
Friendship Garden was initially created to provide both garden education and environmental training opportunities to Afghans who are a new and emerging minority group in the Illawarra, as well as ethnic Iranians who also expressed interest in the project.
The garden is open to the wider community and involves practical gardening on the grounds of St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, equipping the community with ecological environmental practices, management, community capacity and leadership skills.
An important aspect of this project is that it provides the community a place to socialise with each other and the wider community.
Friendship Garden is supported by Lumen Christi – Catholic Parishes Wollongong, Elemental Permaculture, and NSW Office of Environment and Heritage. The Garden is managed by the Multicultural Youth Development Project (auspiced by Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra).
It is located in the corner of St Francis Xavier Cathedral