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Murwillumbah Seed Library Celebrates 10 Years of Growing Community
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10 years ago! Richmond Tweed Library technician Linda Bell, St Joseph's Primary School student Tom Gresham and Julia Hancock, horticulturalist and botanical artist at the launch of the Seed Library.
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Today. Richmond Tweed Library Assistant Linda Bell, Tom Gresham and Julia Hancock, horticulturalist and botanical artist.
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Murwillumbah Library is celebrating a major milestone — the 10th anniversary of its beloved Seed Library, a community-driven initiative that has distributed more than 90,000 free packets of seeds since its launch in October 2015.
As the region’s first seed-lending library, the Murwillumbah Seed Library pioneered a new model of sharing and stewardship in the Northern Rivers. What began as a modest collection of donated seeds has grown into a flourishing resource that now supports hundreds of local households each year.
The idea for a seed library in Murwillumbah began with a visit by local community member Therese Krix. After attending a talk by celebrity gardener Costa Georgiadis in Murwillumbah, where he highlighted the success of the Port Macquarie seed library, Therese approached the library with a vision: a place where locals could “borrow” seeds, grow plants at home, and return seeds from successful plants.
With support from the library and local gardening community, the vision came to life, and the Murwillumbah Seed Library was officially launched on 8 October 2015. Among those in attendance were gardening advocates Julia Hancock and then Mayor Katie Milne, alongside students from St Joseph’s Primary School.
At the launch, the concept was clear: library users could “borrow” seed packets, grow plants, and then, if possible, return seeds from their harvest. This allowed the seed library to replenish itself and become a living cycle of sharing and learning.
In its first 9 months, the Murwillumbah Seed Library issued over 4,000 packets of seeds. Over the ensuing years, community interest and participation has soared. The program has now distributed more than 90,000 seed packets — a strong measure of the community’s commitment to growing, sharing and regenerating locally adapted plants.
These seeds span vegetables, herbs and flowers, reflecting both seasonal variety and local suitability. Many of them return to the seed library through donations from gardeners who let their plants go to seed and contribute back to the collection.
Acting Tweed Area librarian, Kym Thompson, says that the Seed Library has become more than just a place to pick up seeds.
“We love having the Seed Library here because it’s become a place for knowledge exchange and community bond-building. It celebrates the idea of sharing, sustainability and resilience,” Kym says.
“We’re proud of what it has become and excited to celebrate 10 years of growing together.”
Therese Krix, the community member who first encouraged the library to implement the Seed Library, is thrilled with how it has grown over the past decade.
“To me, it’s become a growing expression of community connection and resilience — especially in terms of local food security,” she says.
“I’ve been able to grow a diverse variety of plants, including popcorn and loofahs, from free, donated seeds, and I’ve donated literally thousands of seeds back to the library. I encourage everyone to get growing and share your spare seeds!”
Community members are welcome to use the Seed Library by joining Richmond Tweed Regional Library. Each family may take up to 5 seed packets per visit.
To learn more or get started, simply visit Murwillumbah Library or call on 02 6670 2427.
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The Seed Library at Murwillumbah Library, 10 years and 90,000 seed packets later.
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Downloads
Photo 1: Seed library launch 2015
Caption: 10 years ago! Richmond Tweed Library technician Linda Bell, St Joseph's Primary School student Tom Gresham and Julia Hancock, horticulturalist and botanical artist at the launch of the Seed Library.
Photo 2: 10 year seed library image remake
Caption: Today. Richmond Tweed Library Assistant Linda Bell, Tom Gresham and Julia Hancock, horticulturalist and botanical artist.
Photo 3: Seed library
Caption: The Seed Library at Murwillumbah Library, 10 years and 90,000 seed packets later.
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Tweed Shire Council wishes to acknowledge the Ngandowal and Minyungbal speaking people of the Bundjalung Country, in particular the Goodjinburra, Tul-gi-gin and Moorung – Moobah clans, as being the traditional owners and custodians of the land and waters within the Tweed Shire boundaries. Council also acknowledges and respects the Tweed Aboriginal community’s right to speak for its Country and to care for its traditional Country in accordance with its lore, customs and traditions.
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