Volunteer Voices - "It's one of my happy places." - Leigh Dumpleton

February 2025

Leigh Dumpleton (she/her) was looking for connection when she came to make Wānaka home in September last year. She found it in spades when she began volunteering with Grow Wānaka Community Garden.

Leigh says “I looked for meaningful volunteer work and a way to connect into the community when I came to Wānaka. I’m a social worker by trade and a herbalist. I wanted to use my skills and engage with the community and environment in ways that sat comfortably with my principles.”

With its vision of educating the community around food waste and promoting food resilience Grow Wānaka Community Garden fitted the bill.

A charitable trust, Grow Wānaka’s picturesque garden is located off Outlet Road on land in partnership with the Outlet Campground. Started in 2020 the once bare site boasts greenhouses, hot composting, worm farms, a compost drop off facility and a garden bursting at the seams with produce and herbs.

Every week an enthusiastic group of volunteers meet there to garden, exchange knowledge and connect. Leigh says “We have a fantastic team of volunteers in the garden and right now we are looking for people who can help in governance, marketing and fundraising.”

Leigh has two roles at the garden one as a garden volunteer helping others to do weeding, planting, preparing soil and managing compost amongst other things. “I’ve always gardened in one form or another and it’s one of my happy places.”

A key goal of the garden is community education and Leigh has recently taken on her second role at the garden as Education and Workshop Coordinator. She’s found the role has enhanced her connection with, and understanding of the community. “I’ve discovered that Wānaka is a very special place when it comes to volunteering. There’s a lot more collaboration between organisations here than I’ve ever seen before. That willingness to cooperate is a real asset.”

Leigh was born and educated in New South Wales, Australia. Living in both rural and urban areas she always wanted to live in the country in a place that spoke to all the values she holds dear.

Why Wānaka?

“I don’t want to sound too ethereal but it was the energy here. I was drawn by the beautiful environment and the hiking and biking but it is the people and the community that have kept me here.”

Leigh’s commitment to local ecology extends further to volunteering work with Friends of Bullock Creek and Te Kākano.“Yes, there’s an ecology theme to my volunteering. For me its about the connection between people and the environment.”

She will continue to volunteer and encourages anyone considering it to go for it. “When you get the right fit you will find meaning, and rewards, beyond what you ever thought possible.”

For more information about Grow Wānaka Community Garden go to www.growwanaka.com and for information about the roles available there go to https://volunteersouth.org.nz/organisation-profile/1540-grow-wanaka

Thinking of volunteering? At Volunteer South - Central Lakes, we can discuss your skills and goals for volunteering and help make the perfect match. For more information visit www.volunteersouth.org.nz

Volunteer South is a charitable trust that engages and supports both tūao volunteers and volunteers involving organisations and community groups in the Southern region of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Written by Juliette Hicks