Lille Fro Wins Gold !

Visitors to the 2012 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show were reminded of how little separates us from those less fortunate in the world, through a unique exhibit entitled Zero Degrees. 

The Rotary Club of Hawthorn provided "services in kind" to design the concept and structure of a mud-brick greenhouse, modeled on structures built in the foothills of the Himalayas, and typical of those built for villages and indigenous communities in the cold climate desert in far north India. The mudbrick design features solid walls on three sides of the greenhouse, acting as heat banks and doors to provide ventilation and access. A sloping polyurethane roof – supported by bamboo poles - is angled to capture maximum sunlight and warmth.

 Lille Fro funds this greenhouse program in remote villages which are cut off for 6-8 months during harsh winters, making it impossible to grow fresh food. Lille Fro teaches communities about gardening and nutrition and is addressing the Millennium Development Goals to cut poverty, hunger and disease and improve health through increased access to fresh vegetables and income generating opportunities.

Visitors to the display were transported to the Himalayan region through a photographic backdrop, and invited to walk the stony path to better view the greenhouse and the nourishing vegetables that grow within – all suited to a high altitude climate including tomatoes, leeks, spinach, carrots and lettuce.

‘Zero Degrees reinforces that zero degrees of separation exists between us here in Australia and the lasting difference we can make to a child and families living in extreme poverty,’ says Lille Fro Founder, Tamara Cannon.

Landscape designer and past MIFGS award winner, Prue Metcalfe also teamed up with Lille Fro to present Zero Degrees. Prue donated her time and creativity to the project, which was also supported with pro bono contributions from Simon McCurdy Landscapes, PMP Contracting and Magnify Media.