Gardening across the generations

When the nursing home staff told Anthony (Tony) Bennett that students from the local school were coming for a visit, Tony was enthusiastic but a little hesitant. As one of the few not suffering from dementia, he was often bored and relished the opportunity for something new, but he was unsure of what he would talk about with the students.

He spoke with his daughter Nicola Rea, who explained that Faulconbridge Public School was a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program School and these students were experts at growing their own veggies.

When the day came, Tony entertained the students with stories of his father gardening through the Depression and War and his own experiences as a green thumb. In kind, the students told Tony about their school garden and their tales of toiling in the earth.  

The visit was a huge success. Tony enjoyed listening to the students talk about the Program and loved the idea that gardening was being taught in schools. After the visit the students made a poster they planned to give to him as a memento of the day. But unfortunately Tony’s health took a turn for the worse and he passed away before he could receive the gift.

To honour the memory of her father and in recognition of the joy the visit brought to his final weeks, Nicola has made a donation to the Faulconbridge PS Kitchen Garden Program in Tony’s name.

The Foundation is incredibly grateful to Nicola for sharing this story with us and for her generous donation. We also send our thanks to the school, the students and the nursing home for bringing gardeners together, across the generational divide.

Image caption: Left photograph is of Tony at 9 years with father and siblings in 1940 (Tony is the tallest child). Right photograph is of Tony shortly after the school visit.