About COGS
The Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc (COGS) is a non-profit organisation started in 1977 with the aim of providing a forum for organic growers to exchange information and encourage the adoption of organic growing methods.
COGS is run by a voluntary committee which is elected annually. For more detailed information about the operation of COGS, download a copy of the Constitution.
Its main aims and objectives are to:
- promote the use of organic gardening methods in the ACT;
- provide information on community gardening and demonstrate organic growing techniques for COGS’ members and the wider public;
- provide access to, administer, and support the development of community gardens operated under organic principles; and
- work with like-minded organisations to increase the sustainability of food production in the ACT.
The organic movement endeavours to provide an alternative to modern industrial agriculture’s dependence on synthetic fertilisers, fungicides, herbicides and genetic modification. Organic growers use natural means for improving and preserving our soils to produce nutritious, less contaminated food. The soil, enriched with compost, manure, green manure and mulches, and using companion planting, produces healthy plants which resist pest attacks and disease.
The principles and practices of organic gardening are detailed in the Organic Gardening section.
Canberra Organic magazine
Canberra Organic is a quarterly publication which contains articles on organic growing as well as tips specifically for the Canberra region, such as a seasonal planting guide. It also informs members about the speakers for forthcoming meetings and any other activities coming up. Members are encouraged to contribute.
Community Gardens
COGS currently operates twelve community gardens in the Canberra area at Charnwood, Cook, Betty Cornhill (Cotter), Dickson, Erindale, Holder, Kaleen, Kambah, Oaks Estate, O’Connor, Crace and Mitchell. The ACT Government has supported the establishment of these gardens and members may obtain a plot to grow organic produce for home consumption. These gardens provide a wonderful opportunity for people to garden with other organic growers, to share their expertise and learn something new at the same time!
At each garden, plot-holders are required to pay a plot levy which covers the cost of water and other running expenses. Find out more on the COGS Community Gardens page.
Interested in Establishing a Community Garden?
COGS has prepared a paper that provides information and links to resources to help those interested in establishing a new community garden in the ACT called Thinking about establishing a community garden in Canberra? Please consider downloading and reading this document before contacting COGS for further information.
How COGS Works
Convenors and Office Bearers
Garden Convenors
The COGS committee delegates the administration of each community garden to a garden committee elected annually by members of COGS who are plot-holders at the particular garden. Garden members must also elect a garden convenor. Garden convenors and garden committees have an important role in promoting COGS objectives in the garden and a strong sense of cohesion, collaboration and goodwill amongst the garden community.
| Betty Cornhill Garden (Curtin) | Peter Sheehan |
| Charnwood Garden | Susan Wood & Angela Steele |
| Cook Garden | Peter Weddell |
| Crace Garden | Peter Newbigin |
| Dickson Garden | Michelle England |
| Erindale Garden | Didi Sommer |
| Holder Garden | Lisa Walkington & John Hutchison |
| Kaleen Garden | Richard Buker & Annette Lock |
| Kambah Garden | Sarah Peters & Barbara Jesiolowski |
| Mitchell Garden | Narelle McLean |
| Oaks Estate Garden | Jinglong Chen & Ewan Maidment |
| O’Connor Garden | Paul Magarey |
Office Bearers
| Position | Office Bearer |
|---|---|
| President | Neil Williams |
| Vice President | Peter Weddell |
| Secretary | Jyl Thompson |
| Treasurer | Kasey Jordan |
| Magazine Editor | Michael Gisick |
| Gardens Coordinator | Narelle McLean |
| Information Officer | Michael Gisick |
| Membership Secretary | Jo McMillan |
| General Member | Michele England |
| General Member | Richard Buker |
| General Member | Mayra Escobedo |
| General Member | Dietland Sommer |
History of COGS
From Bare Earth to Bounty
In 2013, Walter Steensby (past President of COGS), with Bethany Turner and David Pearson, wrote a short history of the Society that includes transcriptions of interviews with founding members. With permission from Walter, ‘From Bare Earth to Bounty’ is now available for download.
Funded by an ACT Heritage grant, this book explores the organic growing movement in the ACT and surrounding region through the voices of thirteen members of the Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS). We thank these members for their willingness to share their stories with us: Betty Cornhill, David Odell, John Brummell, Arno and Nel Struzina, Traudy and Bob Kalivoda, Peter and Shirley Carden, Joyce Wilkie and Michael Plane, Mary Flowers, and Rasima Kecanovic. We would also like to extend our thanks to the photographer, Michelle McAulay, for capturing such evocative images of our volunteers. The authors are all employed at the University of Canberra. Bethaney Turner’s research focuses on urban agriculture, food-based social movements and food ecologies. Walter Steensby is conducting research into urban agriculture in the ACT region and is currently President of COGS. David Pearson’s research is based around environmentally sustainable and healthy food choices, which includes local food systems, organic food and food waste.
(Excerpt from the Preface of ‘From Bare Earth to Bounty’)
Download the PDF of ‘From Bare Earth to Bounty’.
History Timeline
“The Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc. is a non-profit organisation which was started in 1977 with the aim of providing a forum for organic growers to exchange information and encourage the general public to adopt organic growing methods.
This list is incomplete and I would be grateful to learn of errors and omissions. For instance, I don’t know in which year the Watson garden was established.” – Walter Steensby
Founded in August by organic gardening enthusiasts, including Betty Cornhill as the Organic Gardening and Farming Society (OGFSACT)
OGFSACT became Canberra Organic Growers (COG) – with a membership of 30 the viability of the organisation in question
Original Curtin Community Garden in operation – COG membership up to a more viable 96
A new Constitution adopted with COG becoming the Canberra Organic Growers’ Society Inc. (COGS)
Tuggeranong Garden established (later renamed the Erindale Garden). Watson Garden established and Cotter Garden moved to its current location
Charnwood Garden established
Oaks Estate Garden established.
Theodore Garden established (closed 2011)
Watson Garden closed and Mitchell Garden opened
COGS Backyard commenced as part of ACTEW Xeriscape Garden
COGS 21st Anniversary Dinner (21 November, Olims Hotel)
Cook, Holder and Kambah Gardens established
Dickson Garden on site of Northside Community Centre established. ACTEW Xeriscape Garden destroyed by fires
O’Connor Garden established
Dickson Garden moves to Dickson College
Kaleen Garden established. Membership 430. COGS enters the social media age with its Facebook page created June 2011
Crace Garden established. Membership now up to 480
Cotter Garden renamed Betty Cornhill Garden. COGS 40th Anniversary Celebration (26 November, Crace Community Garden)
Worldwide pandemic COVID 19 – COGS gardens remain open during lockdowns, providing a safe haven for many gardeners. New ten year licence for 9 of the COGS gardens signed with the ACT Government
Gardener and Cook Community Garden member, Julie Gorrell authors the publication, Cook Garden Bush to Bounty to help celebrate Cook’s 20th anniversary (Holder and Kambah also 20 years old)
New, updated Constitution adopted October 2022
Membership reaches 560 driven by a range of factors including increased high density living. 4,300 people follow COGS on Facebook and over 700 on Instagram