The Neighbourhood Patch

The only thing better than one suburban garden is several households sharing the bounty

-  Jana Holmer

Hamlyn Heights perches on a windy ridge overlooking Geelong’s Corio Bay. Named after 1940s resident Sidney Hamlyn, the suburb is noted as the childhood home of actor Guy Pearce, whose international career began in the cast of Neighbours.

How appropriate then that Dr Saranyu Pearson is such a good neighbour. As a holistic veterinarian, she runs her practice Paws to Heal from her home in Hamlyn Heights, advising her clients on the importance of nutrition and the natural environment to animal health.

She’s actively involved with the Sri Chinmoy movement and participates most years in the Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run, a global torch relay.

She’s also a member of Transition Streets Geelong, a community group that fosters environmental awareness and empowerment through energy self-sufficiency and connection to place.

Eight other households are involved in the project, growing home produce and incorporating water-saving techniques. Their motto: “Let’s turn our streets into neighbourhoods.”

Saranyu’s corner of the neighbourhood is a 100sqm garden in her front yard, with eastern and northern sun for most of the day. “The idea was to create an edible food forest that was visible and accessible to the neighbourhood,” she says.

In fact the eventual plan is to turn the entire block, front and back, into a productive food space.

A GROWING PASSION