Japanese exchange students volunteer at Thommo’s Community Garden giving back to Bunbury community

Japanese exchange students at Edith Cowan University have had the opportunity to give to the Bunbury community, lending a helping hand at Thommo’s Community Garden.

In an initiative instigated by Volunteers South West and the City of Bunbury, 29 students from Tokyo City University got down and dirty at Thommo’s on October 17, helping to pick fruit from the garden and enjoying a morning tea.

Having called the South West home since August, Tokyo City University Australia Program Marshal at ECU Jess Doe said the students enjoyed the experience.

“The students had such a great time and loved coming to visit the garden,” she said.

“Some students mentioned fond memories growing vegetables with their grandparents as kids, something they miss, and sadly don’t have time for, living a busy life in Tokyo nowadays.

“You can tell they felt very proud being allowed to work and contribute towards the garden too, they departed the bus tired, but with big smiles on their faces.”

Volunteer South West manager Shamara Williams said it was a great learning experience for all involved.

“We hope that these exchange students from Tokyo City University in Japan will have more of an understanding of the benefit of volunteers to the community after their experience today,” she said.

ECU international coordinator Dr Ali Jarvey hopes it can become a regular occurrence.

“We’d love to be able to connect our international students with opportunities like this in the future,” she said.

“It brings them in touch with their city and is also a great way to connect in a more knowledgeable, hands-on way about how our food gets to the table.”