Welcome to Joy of the Earth Community Garden (JOTE).
JOTE is a welcoming community space where members come together to grow, learn, connect and contribute.
By becoming a member of JOTE, you agree to follow these Membership Terms & Conditions and our Code of Conduct. These guidelines help ensure JOTE remains a safe, inclusive, respectful and enjoyable community garden for everyone.
🌻 Our Community
JOTE values participation, cooperation, respect and community connection.
Members are encouraged to contribute to the life of the garden, share knowledge and skills, support fellow members and help care for our shared spaces.
We welcome people of all backgrounds, abilities and levels of gardening experience.
💚 Code of Conduct
All JOTE members are expected to:
- 🌿 Treat other members, volunteers, visitors and community partners with respect, courtesy and consideration
- 🤝 Help create a welcoming and inclusive environment
- 💬 Communicate respectfully, including when differences of opinion arise
- 💚 Respect the rights, safety and wellbeing of others
- 🪴 Respect garden beds, communal areas, facilities and other members’ property
- 🛠️ Use JOTE equipment and facilities responsibly
- 🌻 Work cooperatively and contribute positively to the JOTE community
JOTE is committed to providing a community environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and intimidating or inappropriate behaviour.
🪴 GARDEN BED MEMBERSHIP
Garden beds are allocated to members for their personal use and care. Garden bed members are expected to:
- 🌱 Maintain and actively cultivate their allocated garden bed
- 🧹 Keep their garden bed and surrounding pathways tidy and safe
- 🌿 Use organic and environmentally responsible gardening practices
- 🚫 Avoid plants that are invasive or may negatively affect neighbouring garden beds
- 🤝 Respect neighbouring beds, communal areas and other members’ produce
- 💧 Use water responsibly and follow any garden watering guidelines
- 📣 Let the JOTE Committee know if they are temporarily unable to maintain their garden bed
Garden beds are subject to availability. If all beds are currently allocated, prospective members may be added to JOTE’s waiting list and contacted when a bed becomes available.
Garden beds that are not being maintained may be reviewed by the JOTE Committee and, where appropriate, reallocated in accordance with JOTE’s garden rules.
🌱 GARDEN & GATHER
Garden & Gather is an important part of JOTE membership and community life.
Held fortnightly, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays, Garden & Gather gives members an opportunity to work together, care for our shared garden spaces, meet other members and enjoy being part of the JOTE community.
🌿 Help maintain JOTE’s shared garden areas
🛠️ Take part in seasonal garden tasks and projects
🤝 Work alongside and connect with other members
🌱 Share gardening knowledge and learn new skills
☕ Take time to socialise, chat and enjoy the garden together
Garden bed members are expected to participate in at least six Garden & Gather sessions each year.
We understand that work, health, family and other commitments can sometimes affect participation. Members who are having difficulty meeting this commitment are encouraged to speak with the JOTE Committee.
🌿 ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE GARDENING
JOTE is committed to organic, sustainable and environmentally responsible gardening practices.
Our garden is a shared ecosystem, and members are asked to consider the impact their gardening choices have on other members, our soil, wildlife and pollinators.
🌱 Use organic gardening methods wherever possible
🐝 Protect and encourage bees, beneficial insects and other pollinators
♻️ Compost and reduce garden waste wherever practical
💧 Use water thoughtfully and responsibly
🌿 Support healthy soil through sustainable gardening practices
🚫 Avoid harmful chemicals, pesticides and herbicides
🌏 Consider the wider environmental impact of what we grow and how we garden
JOTE is an organic community garden. Members must not use synthetic pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals that may adversely affect neighbouring garden beds, wildlife, pollinators or the wider garden.
🛠️ Shared Areas, Tools & Equipment
JOTE’s communal areas, tools and equipment belong to our whole garden community. Members are asked to use them responsibly and help keep them safe, clean and ready for others.
🧹 Leave communal areas clean and tidy after use
🛠️ Use tools and equipment safely and for their intended purpose
🏡 Return tools and equipment to their designated storage area
🧼 Clean tools after use where required
⚠️ Report damaged, broken or unsafe equipment to a JOTE Committee member
🤝 Respect shared facilities and leave them ready for the next person
Please do not remove JOTE tools, equipment or communal property from the garden without prior approval.
🦺 GARDEN SAFETY
Everyone has a role to play in keeping JOTE safe.
👟 Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for gardening activities
🧤 Use appropriate protective equipment when required
🛠️ Use tools and equipment safely
⚠️ Be aware of trip hazards and other garden risks
📣 Report hazards, incidents or damaged equipment promptly
👧 Children must be appropriately supervised while at JOTE
🚪 Help keep gates, sheds and secure areas appropriately closed and locked
If you see something unsafe, please report it. Members should follow reasonable safety directions provided by the JOTE Committee or activity supervisors.
💰 MEMBERSHIP FEES & RENEWALS
Membership fees help support the ongoing operation, maintenance and development of Joy of the Earth Community Garden.
🪴 Individual Garden Bed Membership — $80 per year
👥 Group or Business Garden Bed Membership — $90 per year
🌱 Additional Garden Bed — $30 per year
💚 Social Membership — $20 per year
Membership fees are payable annually and members are responsible for ensuring their membership remains current.
Garden bed allocation is linked to active membership. Members who do not renew their membership may be asked to relinquish their garden bed so it can be offered to someone on the waiting list.
🌻 We want people to remain part of JOTE. If you are experiencing circumstances that may affect your membership or ability to maintain your garden bed, please speak with a member of the JOTE Committee.
📷 PHOTOGRAPHY & PRIVACY
JOTE regularly celebrates and shares the life of our community garden.
Photographs and video may occasionally be taken during Garden & Gather sessions, workshops, events and other JOTE activities.
📸 Photos may be used on JOTE’s website and social media
🌻 Images may be used to promote JOTE, our activities and community events
🤝 Photos may occasionally be shared with community partners or funding organisations in connection with JOTE projects
💚 Members are encouraged to let us know if they do not wish to be photographed
We respect your privacy. Where practical, JOTE will seek permission before using identifiable photographs of members for promotional purposes.
🤝 RESOLVING CONCERNS
JOTE aims to resolve concerns in a respectful, fair and constructive way.
We understand that in any community, questions, concerns or differences of opinion may occasionally arise. Members are encouraged to communicate respectfully and raise concerns early so they can be addressed appropriately.
💬 Where appropriate, try to resolve minor concerns through respectful communication
🌻 Raise garden or membership concerns with a JOTE Committee member
🤝 Treat everyone involved with courtesy and respect
🔒 Respect the privacy and confidentiality of others when concerns are being addressed
📋 More serious or unresolved matters may be referred to the JOTE Committee
Our aim is always to find a fair and constructive way forward while protecting the wellbeing of our members and the wider JOTE community.
💚 YOUR MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
By becoming a member of Joy of the Earth Community Garden, you are joining a community built around growing, connecting and belonging.
By submitting a JOTE membership application, you confirm that you have read and agree to these JOTE Membership Terms & Conditions and agree to abide by JOTE’s Code of Conduct and Garden Rules.
🌱 Respect our garden
🤝 Respect our community
💚 Help make JOTE a welcoming place for everyone
Thank you for being part of the JOTE community. Together, we can continue to grow a healthier, happier and more connected community — one garden at a time. 🌻
