When you visit the Eastern Hub, you may notice an array of fresh flowers adorning the tables, providing a colourful welcome for visitors. 

The blooms are thanks to the generosity of the Geelong Flower Farm, which has been donating flowers to local community-focused venues, including the Eastern Hub, every week for 20 years.   

Geelong Flower Farm owner Glen Butteriss said the idea to repurpose older flowers, which still have life in them, stemmed from a conversation 20 years ago. 

“I was talking to a Lions Club of Geelong Breakfast member, and he suggested the flowers could be donated locally to community venues before we disposed of them,” Glen said.  

“I agreed with him and this way they are going to a good cause.” 

Mr Butteriss said 80-100 bunches were donated a week, which would otherwise be destined for the compost heap or landfill. 

Dedicated Lions Club member Pete Johnston is on pick-up and drop-off duties every Monday, delivering the flowers to the Eastern Hub. Pete also drops donated flowers off to the South Barwon Community Centre, Tiny Dots, Victorian Veterans Widows and Barwon Stroke Support Group.

Then it’s over to genU volunteers Barb and Asha to weave their creative magic – unwrapping, sorting, trimming and arranging – before the vases are displayed on Seasons Café tables. 

It’s a nice touch, welcomed by Eastern Hub patrons who appreciate the effort to help create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

With its strong community connection, the Geelong Flower Farm team enjoys getting feedback about the impact the flowers have on the Eastern Hub community. 

“We’ve been told that people are always waiting for them to be put out on the tables, and our staff love hearing that,” Glen said. 

While Barbara has spent 33 years volunteering with genU in a variety of roles, Asha only recently started volunteering in a role that will help her new skills blossom for use in the future. 

Asha has her heart set on becoming a florist and when she learned about the volunteering opportunity through family and friends linked to genU, she knew it fit nicely with her career path plan. 

“I am looking to change careers and interested in doing a floristry apprenticeship, so this went hand-in-hand with that,” she said. 

“I also wanted to add something different to my week and it’s a nice little way to get out in the community.” 

“What better way to start your Monday – it’s great to see everyone’s smiles when you bring the flowers out, and it adds that little bit of colour to the venue. It doesn’t seem like much, but it can really brighten some people’s days.” 

With the contribution Asha is making towards the community, and the multiple benefits she’s gaining, she encourages anyone interested in giving back to consider a volunteer role at genU. “Go for it, get involved, it’s a really rewarding way to spend your time.”

And the Eastern Hub is not the final destination for the flowers. Every Friday, local volunteer, Elaine, Valentine picks up the flowers that are still in good condition and takes them across the road to the Geelong Eastern Cemetery to share on gravesites. 

Want to volunteer with meaning and purpose? Our Volunteering page will help start your journey giving back to the genU community.