Chook poo beats lure of Logies for gardening guru

SUNSHINE COAST DAILY  Monday May2, 2011

Chook poo beats lure of Logies for gardening guru

ON A DAY when most television stars were primping and preening for the Logies, Costa Georgiadis was handing out chicken poo compost at Yandina.
But the star of Costa’s Gardening Odyssey didn’t regret missing televisions night of nights as he mixed with fans at the Coast’s National Permaculture Day celebrations.

Costa was the star attraction at Yandina Community Gardens, where gardening enthusiasts enjoyed garden tours, speeches and displays promoting the prermaculture movement.
He said he chose the Yandina celebration over the Logies because he wanted to raise awareness of sustainable gardening.

“I think these days are important – it may be only one day, but it can galvanise a movement because it helps get the word out,” Costa said.
“our health and the health of our environment are determined by our decisions regarding what we eat, where we live, what we produce and the energy that drives all of this.”

Costa said the permaculture movement had blossomed since he first became involved as  a child.
“It’s become more mainstream by virtue of the fact that people realise the current systems are not producing healthy environments and healthy people.”

The large crowds at Yandina Community Gardens yesterday was indicative of the growing popularity of sustainable gardening practices.

“I think there’s a really positive undercurrent and an energy in the community, because they’ve turned out in numbers and there’s a willingness and receptiveness to get involved,” Costa said.

“It’s inspiring to see such a broad cross-section of the community sharing the wisdom of the elders with the vibrancy of the youth.”

Tomorrow, Costa will inspect edible school gardens at Cooran State School, Eumundi State School and Our Lady of The Rosary.
“(Edible school gardens) are thriving and from what I’ve seen around the country, the Sunshine Coast is one of the leaders and it’s growing,” he said. “I believe the implications of preparing kids with the right thinking at a young age will have influence far quicker than if you try and teach them as adults.”

JODIE STEPHENS