Community Garden Conference Promoting sustainability, health and inclusion in the city University of Canberra 7-8 October 2010 Proceedings

Community gardens play an important role in promoting urban health, social inclusion, active civic participation and practices of sustainable living in urban environments. High quality, informed planning policy and practice improves the sustainability and liveability of our cities. The purpose of this conference was contribute to these goals by exploring community gardening practices, academic evaluations of local food systems and current policy initiatives. Representatives from different forms of community gardening practices throughout Australia, politicians, planners, academics, as well as international experts all shared their experiences. Without doubt it was an unqualified success. Perhaps history will even anoint this Conference with the honour of being seen, in the words of the Newsletter from the Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network, as a ‗tipping point‘ for the practice of community gardens as being seen as a legitimate land use in Australian cities. These conference proceedings contain a wealth of information from experienced professional and we commend them to you. In addition, we would like to draw your attention to the aspirations suggested by two conference presenters. Greens Senator Christine Milne called for community gardens to find their place in the ‗big picture‘, such as a role in contributing to addressing the challenges emerging from climate change. And one of the international speakers, Myles Bremner, provided a list of inspirational challenges for community gardens.  Be clear what community gardening is and who its constituents are.  Get credibility with facts and figures.  Develop and deliver a compelling narrative about what community gardens achieve.  Find spokespeople to deliver this compelling narrative, such as celebrities supported by ‗suit‘- wearing individuals.  Be proactive about showing stakeholders the value of community gardens, such as inviting councils, the media, and MPs to events.  Recognise and celebrate that you are part of a national, and international, movement. Finally, we would also like to acknowledge the financial support provide