The Secret Garden and Nursery is set on 2 hectares in the grounds of the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus. Map

The garden has been developed to provide a positive activity environment for people with a mental illness and for people with an intellectual disability through our 'Food for Thought' program. Other groups also assist in the maintenance and activities in the garden and nursery, including students, Work for the Dole participants and volunteers.

Programs can be structured to facilitate groups at different ability levels. Our staff facilitate the support workers that come with groups from other services.

The commercial nursery has plant sales weekdays from 9am to 4pm and on the first Saturday of every month. All funds are used to maintain the facility. Hawkesbury Skills Inc has benevolent institution status with the Australian Taxation Office and any donation is tax deductible

Facilities include:

• 700 metres of Wheel chair path
• Raised garden beds
• Plots for vegetable and flower growing
• Kitchen and sheltered tea room
• Sheltered nursery work area.
• Hothouse and Shadehouse
• Chicken run
• Rose garden
• Pigs

'Food for Thought' is the name of the program that facilitates positive activities for those with an intellectual disability or recovering from a mental illness.

To learn more about the services look at the Horticulture Site Brochure

Other garden users:

Volunteers are welcome. Individuals from the community are encouraged to be involved and are also welcome to use an allotment in the vegetable growing area. We wish to encourage and maintain food growing skills and culture in the community.

Students are invited to be involved in research projects. Past projects have involved social research.

Work for the Dole participants have invested much hard labor into developing the garden and been responsible for most of the infrastructure. Their work is appreciated.

For photos of the garden, click here.