The Victorian Schools Garden Program recently welcomed 55 guests to the Seeds of Change Breakfast at CERES in Brunswick East.
The breakfast brought together educators, volunteers and horticultural experts to explore and celebrate the ways in which school garden programs can transform learning, wellbeing, and community connection.
Karingal Primary School Principal Samantha Cooke delivered a presentation highlighting the importance of principal support, sharing how the school transformed numerous spaces for just $1,800 through reused materials, grants, awards and donations.
Special guest Millie Ross challenged educators to connect any subject to the garden and discover the answers alongside their students. She also highlighted how gardening supports wellbeing, confidence, resilience and physical strength.
The highlight of the Seeds of Change event was the announcement of the 2026 School Garden Champion Award by Millie Ross. This year, the Award received an incredible 68 nominations from schools with gardens, and for the first time the Victorian Schools Garden Program (VSGP) introduced two finalists alongside the overall winner.
Darren Wood from Bright P–12 College, Finalist (could not attend)
Recognised for creating inclusive, hands-on garden learning opportunities for students from Prep to Year 12.
Helena McAloon from Jackson School, Finalist
Recognised for transforming the school’s farm into an inclusive and therapeutic environment for students with diverse learning needs.
The 2026 School Garden Champion Award was presented to Karen Murray from Sunshine North Primary School.
Karen brings together sustainability, biodiversity and First Nations perspectives through the school’s kitchen garden, bush tucker and habitat gardens, and Koorie Seed Gathering and Planting Initiative.
Nominees attending the breakfast were recognised with a pot plant generously donated by Ball Australia. The morning concluded with a guided tour of CERES’ gardens, leaving guests inspired to create thriving green spaces in their own school communities.
2026 School Garden Champion Nominees
| Ainslie Parklands Primary School, Croydon | Jane Humphrys |
| Avenel Primary School – Avenel | Nina Stocker |
| Avenel Primary School, Avenel | Nina Day |
| Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Maddingley | David Gorton |
| Beaconhills College, Pakenham VIC 3810 | David Cain |
| Billanook Primary School | Jennifer Meaby |
| Birralee Primary School | Renee Papoulis |
| Birralee Primary School | Renee Papoulis |
| Birralee Primary School – Doncaster | Renee Papoulis |
| Birralee Primary School in Doncaster | Renee Papoulis |
| Birralee Primary School, Doncaster 3108 | Renee Papoulis |
| Bolinda Primary School Bolinda Victoria | Donna Sparks |
| Boronia K-12 Colleg | Julie Nelmes |
| Braybrook | Kim Chen |
| Bright P12 College | Darren Wood |
| Bright College | Dareen Wood |
| Bundoora Secondary College | Caitlin McKimm |
| Cardross Primary School, Cardross VIC | Steven Taylor |
| Caulfield Grammar School, Wheelers Hill | Sarah Coffey |
| Cire Community School – Yarra Junction | Ashleigh Herbert & Marisa Carn |
| Clyde Creek Primary School | Brad Swinburne |
| Dinjerra PS Braybrook | Kylie Kirk |
| Discovery Childcare and Education Boronia | Sharlene Dedhia |
| Donald Primary School | Daelene Green |
| Donald Primary School | Paul Matters |
| Drouin West Primary School | Justine Gooding |
| Galilee Primary School, South Melbourne | Paul Mapley |
| Good Samaritan Primary School, Roxburgh Park | Doug Humbert |
| Holy Trinity, Wantirna South | Wilma Honeysett |
| Jackson School, St Albans , 3021 | Helena McAloon |
| Kyneton High School | Jonathon Swan |
| Little Saints ELC Moe | Tegan St Paul |
| Merri River School Warrnambool | Cheree Sully |
| Mount Eliza Secondary College | Marcia Claringbold |
| Mount Eliza Secondary College | Marcia Claringbold |
| Nilma Primary School | Leanne Hodge |
| Our Lady’s, Surrey Hills | Katie Lynch |
| Parkhill Primary School | Katherine Starbuck |
| Penola Catholic College Broadmeadows | Gareth Henderson |
| Roberts McCubbin Primary School | Marcelle Abrahams |
| Sirius College, Keysborough | Jayalakshmi Parasuraman |
| St Augustine’s PS Keilor | Anne Durham |
| St Brigid’s Primary School Officer | Mark Sweeney |
| St Cecilia’s Primary School, Glen Iris | David Francis |
| St Gabriel’s Primary School, Reservoir | Robyn Di Salle |
| St Gregory The Great Catholic Primary School | Brian Cork |
| St James’ Parish School, Sebastopol | Claire Lay |
| St Joseph’s Primary School, Korumburra | Carole Livesey |
| St Kilda Park Primary School, St Kilda | Allison Shanahan |
| St Peter’s School, Epping | Russell Sturtevant |
| Starfish ELC/Kindergarten Blackburn South | Judy Augustine |
| Strathaird Primary School | Brodie Hearnden |
| Sunbury Primary School – Sunbury | De’arne Housten |
| Sunshine College, Sunshine West. | David Raff |
| Sunshine North Primary School | Karen Murray |
| Surfside Primary School Ocean Grove | Clancey Mckenzie |
| Templestowe College, Templestowe Lower | Petra Leaford |
| The Lake Primary School – Cabarita VIC 3505 | Trevor Roelofs |
| The Lake Primary School, Cabarita | Margot Fowler |
| Tyabb Primary School | Belinda Thickens |
| Village School, Croydon North | Amanda Smith |
| Warrenheip Primary School Warrenheip | Angela Beattie |
| Warrnambool East Primary School, Warrnambool | Allesha Gardner |
| Watsonia Heights Primary School | Leah Opray |
| Woodend Primary School Woodend | Nicole Middleton |
| Wooragee Primary School | Sophie Douglas |
| Yarram Secondary College | Rebecca Tyler-Brennan |
| Yarrunga Primary School, Wangaratta | Simone Brown |
