In the heart of South Hobart, a vibrant garden has become a source of joy, connection and purpose for resident Ros and her volunteer gardening mate, Rita, through the City of Hobart’s Still Gardening program.
"I've been with the Still Gardening program coming up to two years so I'm really a newbie," Rita said.
"But I got involved because I wanted to do some volunteering… I love gardening and my sister found this program accidentally and she said, 'This is your program, this is it.' And it is, and it's absolutely fabulous."
Ros, who has lived in her home for 35 years, was matched with Rita after an assessment.
"I've got problems with my back and I've got two knee replacements and can't get down the ground anymore and the garden was just getting out of hand and I couldn't manage it," Ros said.
"Monique (Still Gardening Program Coordinator) came out and assessed me and assessed my garden… and matched me with Rita which was a match made in heaven because we just get on so well together."
Every fortnight, the two spend time gardening, learning from each other and enjoying easy conversation.
"We do things together and just chat away the whole time," Ros said. "The garden hasn't looked this good for many years."
"Ros has had such an interesting life and does such interesting things that there's always something to talk about," Rita added.
The pair have tackled everything from repotting to planting natives and vegetables.
"Ros even won a competition in our summer gathering with her tomatoes… it was the taste of them," Rita said.
"She got a third prize!"
For Ros, the garden is deeply personal.
"I've said to Rita that if I have to move on from here, as sometime I eventually might, I will actually miss the garden more than the house."
Program Coordinator Monique Brumby said it was a "feel-good program".
"It's about supporting people in the community to stay in their homes for as long as possible… getting exercise, fresh air, great company," Monique said.
"I'll go out to the garden, meet the people and hopefully bring them on board the program and match them with a wonderful volunteer," Monique said.
"It's opened my life up to beautiful people in the Hobart community as well."