Activities

Training

We became a Registered Training Organization in 2005 and provide a range of training program catering for young people whose needs cannot be met by mainstream organizations.

Courses provided include Certificates of Attainment in Horticulture, First Aid, Occupational Health and Safety, use of Chainsaws, ride on mowers and other small equipment.

Plant Nursery

Our plant nursery, wholesale and retail provides a range of training opportunities for our participants.

Click here to view Plant Sales...

The sale of plants is our main source of income and provides for our operating costs including wages and our training costs of young people whose participation at MYPE is not government subsidized.

Volunteers

Crucial to our activities are the 30 committed volunteers who contribute more than 400 hours weekly to the service.  Volunteers work in a range of activities supporting participants in our programs including  the nursery, metal and woodwork shed, office administration and on the committee of management. Currently the management of MPYE is responsible for the recruitment and supervision of volunteers.

If you wish to find out more about becoming a volunteer at MPYE Environmental Care:
email   mpyeinc@bigpond.com  
 

Environmental Care

We have a strong commitment to the care of the natural environment.  The plant nursery has increased its locally sourced seed stock and supplies plants to a a range of conservation groups including Balcombe Estuary Rehabilitation Group (B.E.R.G) Land care and coast action.  We sell our plants to local residents and provide advice to them about indigenous plants and weed control.  In its workshop our trainees make possum and parrot boxes for local fauna.

Our plant nursery uses an advanced watering system with 95% of its water sourced from reticulated storm water held in tanks on site.

Our plan is to have our plant nursery focus exclusive on the production of indigenous and native plants, develop a local plant map and seed bank, become a centre for information on indigenous plants and conservation practices and encourage the formation of more local friends groups to preserve and store the natural environment.

Art

Participants are encouraged to develop their creative talents through the art program. Activities include painting Community Murals and making decorative mosaics.

Metal Work

Participants learn welding, through the repair of trailers, the manufacture of solid fuel heaters and display trolleys. 

A local farm machinery retailer contracts MPYE to assemble some of its smaller farm machines.

Wood work

Participants are taught basic woodwork skills and make habitat boxes for indigenous fauna which are purchased by local residents and conservation groups for their back yard and bushland areas.

Farmers Market

The Mornington farmers Market is a very successful partnership between MPYE and the Mornington Community Garden "DIG-IT".  Held on the second Saturday of the month at the Mornington Primary School the market offers fresh local produce, free range eggs, cheeses, organic vegetables, local beers, seasonal fruits the very best the Peninsula has to offer.

Proceeds from gate donations are divided evenly between the two groups to help run programs which in turn benefit the local community.