By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
TWO months ago, a Pakenham station officer came up with a unique method of stress relief for her fellow employees.
Part-time employee Milliejoy Ibarra suggested to Senior Station Master Wayne De La Harpe that a vegie garden be planted for the officers to attend to.
“I thought it was a fabulous idea,” Wayne said of the garden, which now grows in two planter boxes on the platform.
“I don’t know of any other station that has done something like this.”
Currently the staff are growing vegetables including basil, parsley, lettuce and cabbage.
Wayne said that following the theft of three tomato plants when the garden was first planted, there have been very few problems with interference or vandalism.
Last Monday 7 December, station-grown vegetables were among 4000 food items donated by station staff to the 4Cs.
The food drive was started after the staff decided to direct the produce grown to families in need, and grew to involve all stations on the Pakenham and Cranbourne train lines.
“We had a massive amount of engagement from passengers, so much so that we were able to donate 30 boxes of food to the 4Cs on Monday,” he said.
