Community hub shares taste of culture with Sophie Thomson

By Taylah Baker and Rechelle Zammit

Oct 23, 2023

**Tea for two:** Sophie Tomson and Cicilia Nelson toast their cups of tea. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Sophie Thomson turned over a new leaf during her visit to Shepparton.

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On Wednesday, October 18, the Gardening Australia presenter visited the Community Hub of St George’s Road Primary School and Shepparton English Language Centre for a cultural afternoon tea to meet people and learn about the various cultural plants they grow over a cup of tea.

Community hub leader Liz Arcus said about 40 people attended of various cultural backgrounds who regularly come to the Gardening and Nature Play program.

“The garden, as I was saying to Sophie, is the biggest connector out of our programs,” Ms Arcus said.

Predominantly, the program works with new arrival refugee and asylum seeker women and young children nought to five years old.

“(Sophie) got to know the women, what they plant and how to use them,” Ms Arcus said.

“Many of these families have come from war-torn countries, and most don’t know any English, but the English grows in that place, literally.

“It was great to have Sophie come; she was really interested in the different plants, but also, she could see the healing and therapeutic benefits of gardening.”

The News photographer Rechelle Zammit visited the hub and captured the afternoon festivities.