In this sponsored post, “CityNews” speaks with experts who have established businesses in Weston Creek and Molonglo.

TO Canberra’s west is a district with a strong sense of community and a variety of friendly businesses, Weston Creek.

The district is home to a population of 24,630 across its eight suburbs – Waramanga, Fisher, Weston, Rivett, Duffy, Holder, Chapman and Stirling – with Molonglo Valley linking Weston Creek to the south, and Belconnen to the north.

Gardening with a positive impact

BFG & Sun is a small landscaping business offering gardening maintenance and design, says head gardener of Big Friendly Gardener, Marty Moss.

“Our gardeners value the positive impact on people, communities and our environment that organic gardening provides,” he says.

“We offer everything from lawn mowing and clearing, to garden mentoring, design and gardening projects, and maintenance.”

Helen is the senior horticulturist and garden mentor. She has qualifications in horticulture and permaculture backed up with health education.

“Cecilija has a bachelor of visual arts, with first-class honours, and she is a horticulturist and designer,” he says.

“Cecilija loves to emphasise the natural beauty of plants through a thoughtful, collaborative design process.

“Helen and Cecilija can work with you to create a garden design that works for your lifestyle.”

Marty says BFG & Sun is an inclusive employer, and an LGBTQI+ ally, with neurodiverse staff.

“We have 13 staff, two trucks and three trailers,” he says.

“Social justice is what we’re passionate about.

“As well as looking after people’s gardens and giving people self-confidence, or helping to look after their mental health, so they are better able to look after their own gardens.

BFG & Sun. Call 0438 338552, or visit bfgandsun.com.au

Catholic school brings tradition and wisdom

THE construction of St Jude’s School began in 1974, with the first pupil intake in January 1975, says principal Cameron Reed.

Almost 50 years on, Cameron says the students still love learning.

“They are a joy to be around and they are supportive of each other,” he says.

“Unlike some other schools in the same area, we are reasonably old. With that comes tradition, wisdom and an openness to purposeful growth in everything we do.

“We are a high-quality, community-oriented Catholic educational environment, where students thrive, staff are happy and parents are engaged.”

Cameron says the St Jude’s community believes in educating spirit, mind and body to embrace today and meet the challenges of the future.

“The scroll and the Holy Spirit in our logo symbolise that St Jude wrote one of the Epistles found in the ‘New Testament’. The club and axe are the implements of his death symbolising his martyrdom. The motto ‘growth in truth and love’ is a realistic goal for all St Jude’s students to strive towards.

St Jude’s has an education support dog, named Judy, to help with student anxiety.

“She is calm, caring and loving, a fantastic addition to our school community,” he says.

Cameron says with Molonglo continuing to grow, they are always open for new enrolments.

St Jude’s Primary School, Mulley Street, Holder. Call 6288 7688, or visit stjudesps.act.edu.au

Growing together for children’s education

DENMAN Village Early Learning Centre has been open for a year with five children’s rooms and outdoor and indoor play areas, says owner Lise Percival.

“I wanted to cater for the community,” she says.

“I have been an early childhood teacher for more than 20 years, and I wanted to create my own space and environment.”

Lise says the state-of-the-art centre not only provides high-quality education, but also feels like an extension of family.

“It takes a (Denman) village to raise a child, and everyone grows here together, both children and staff,” she says.

Lise says she enjoys children and has been told she has a natural ability with them.

“I enjoy seeing the children develop,” she says.

“Developing essential relationships and shaping the growth of your child drives our core philosophies.

“Our values are open communication, learning community, children’s rights and evolving needs.

“It’s been great, really rewarding, although sometimes a bit of a rollercoaster, experience to see Denman Village Early Learning Centre come together,” she says.

“We have some vacancies in the three and four-year-olds’ age range, and we’re looking for educators, both part time and full time.”

Denman Village Early Learning Centre, 7 Felstead Vista, Denman Prospect. Call 6287 3648, or visit denmanvillagechildcare.com.au