This winter, we celebrate Material Institute’s fifth birthday!

In July 2021, Material Institute became a registered charity, an exciting stepstone to deepen our place-based work, and grow our impact across Lutruwita/Tasmania. From this charitable status, exciting new partnerships and projects have emerged, with our team heart-count growing alongside our community reach.

Across these five years, 24 Carrot Gardens has put down roots in nine new schools (that’s 24 total) with over 2,000 students now participating weekly to tend, harvest and cook fresh, garden-grown feasts. Growing in the spaces between this practical learning is the mycelial magic of relationships, confidence, a sense of belonging and connection with place.

This spirit of connection ripples out to our wider community programs and events. From hands-on workshops spanning art, beauty, gardening and food — made possible by the development of a new beauty lab and kitchen at our Bridgewater hub — to the hum of regular gatherings at Bond Place and vibrant community celebrations like Springfest.

We hope you enjoy these photos reflecting on our first five years. Thank you to everyone who has participated, followed along and supported us — we look forward to the next five years of abundant gardens, shared feasts, and connecting and creating together!