The Brunswick Uniting Church property comprises the joined Worship Centre and Community  Hall, the Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre and the Merri St. Hall surrounded by extensive gardens with a range of signs to direct people to locations on the property.

A Site & Gardens Master Plan was developed in 2024 identifying nine key garden areas, providing a plan for the care and maintenance for each together with a set of general principles for overall care of the grounds.

Site & Gardens Master Plan

The Site & Gardens Master Plan provides

  • a site map which identifies nine distinct garden areas
  • a set of general principles for overall care of the grounds
  • individual plans for named garden area including
    • an overview statement
    • key contact
    • design
    • signs and messaging
    • tasks

Like all gardens these plans are changing over time. Names and purposes of garden ares have evolved.

Celebrating our Gardens

In January 2026 Merri Bathe quietly and joyfully started taking an interest in the gardens out the back of the church building between the cottage and the Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre earlier this year.  The inspiration for this was quite simply – there was space and garden beds.

Merri has a lot of passion for gardening.  She finds plants amazing and loves watching them grow, experiencing a strong connection to the wonder of nature through the process.  Merri also finds gardening personally therapeutic as this work allows her to move her body in ways that are manageable and getting outside is always good and it always lifts her energy.

Read the full story from the August 2026 Olive Branch.

Join the Gardening Group

Do you love gardening? Do you have some free time on Thursday afternoons?  Yes?  Then come and join Merri in the garden any time between 2&5pm.

From Merri – With my own health challenges I am used to adapting activities with my fluctuating abilities. Everyone is welcome and will be meaningfully included on their best and worst days. Even when you feel you have nothing to give, come and see what the garden can give to you. You might find a moment’s peace, a new friend, something to snack on or a cool bug.

Some possible plans …

  • supporting the Olive Way to develop a herb garden in front of the hall
  • exploring options for the south-west corner of the property (possibly a flower meadow)
  • developing a plan for the Merri St. Garden alongside plans for a new mural on the storage sheds
  • growing flowers for worship
  • creating a garden nook and activity area for children