Timeline and History of the Gardens

Timeline

• 1915 - 2000 Working Dairy Farm
• 1999 - Site Bequeathed to Camden Council 
• 2007 - Masterplan Developed - Community Garden Identified as a suggested land use. 
• 2009 - Research Report commisioned and delivered on feasibility of Community Gardens 
• 2009 - August - Community Gardens proposal put to Town Farm Committee.  
• 2009 - September - Public meeting held. 
• 2009 - December - Camden Town Farm Community Gardens Assoc. Inc. registered. 
• 2009 - Community Builders Grant applied for to the sum of $181 000. 
• 2010 - July - Approval of grant acknowledged. 
• 2010 - August - Unique platypus design adopted, significance being, unique and locality to their habitat in the Nepean River nearby. 
• 2011 - April - Council employs Community Project Officer to administer grant funding and help coordinate build over the next 2 years, expiring July 2013 after a 3 month extension. 
• 2012 - Accessible pathways installed. 



Miss Davies outside Naant Gwylan property (33a Exeter St)

in her SCEGGS uniform
Image Thanks to Camden Historical Society

• 2013 - Heritage Barn adjoining site finished.

History 

One of Camden’s most colourful identities, the late Llewella Davies, bequeathed the Camden Town Farm to Council. Miss Davies, the last of her family to reside on the family dairy in Exeter Street, Camden, had always maintained that the property would be left to the people of Camden for their benefit and enjoyment. 



The old dairy as it stands today.



True to her word when Llewella passed away, aged 98, the property was officially transferred to Council. In giving responsibility for the property to Council on behalf of the community, Miss Davies preference was that the farm should continue to be used as a working dairy farm. If this was not possible then she favoured agricultural pursuits in the form of a working model farm to enable the community to see such a farm in operation at close hand. Alternatively if neither of these options proved feasible the farm should be used for the grazing of livestock or passive recreation.

The Old Barn.

This brings us to where we are now.

The recognition of Community Gardens as a valuable resource has grown immensely over the last 10 years, such sites are invaluable as a means to building community and capacity amongst members of the community.

In areas where land is limited and a very valuable resource they serve as sites where produce can be grown and shared amongst community members, they also serve as communal meeting points where people can share skills, knowledge or just catch up socially.

just some of the communal potatoe plot.

The Camden Community Garden provides these benefits to the local Camden community. Being located on the Exeter Street frontage and being close to the local produce markets venue has given the gardens a great connection with the overall site. The alluvial soils of the Nepean River together with many years of dairy cattle grazing have proved a bonus for the establishment of a garden. The unique platypus shape layout reflects the Council logo and community aim for environmental sustainability, as well as the unconfirmed sightings on the Nepean River.



Just a few of our volunteers.



Currently the garden serves as a focal point for almost 70 members, approx 50 active gardeners, and several community groups, these members and visitors come from a mix of ages, abilities, ethnic backgrounds as well as skill sets. A number of local schools have shown an interest in the community gardens and produce is also being supplied to community groups



Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre



The Gardens are becoming an attraction in their own right and are a destination on many farmgate trail tours, attracting individuals or community groups from across the Sydney basin.