Korean delegation's garden stop

Worms, compost, ladybirds and snakeskins are generally not high on the "must see" list for international visitors to Kiama.

But these were just some of the items to catch the eye of delegates from the Korean Chapter of Healthy Cities at the Kiama Community Garden yesterday.

The delegation of 29 dignitaries, including six mayors, did get a chance to see the world-famous Kiama Blow Hole in action, but it was projects like the community garden they really wanted to see.

Later this week more than 400 delegates from around the world will gather in Brisbane for the fifth Alliance for Healthy Cities Global Conference.

Healthy Cities is a global movement initiated by the World Health Organisation and growing fast in Asia, particularly Korea.

Former Kiama mayor Sandra McCarthy is the chair of the Australian Chapter Alliance for Healthy Cities and yesterday's pre-conference visit to Kiama followed Mrs McCarthy's visit to Korea in June.

Mrs McCarthy said the visit was recognition of the international standing of Kiama's award-winning Public Health Plan.

She said the delegation was particularly interested in visiting the council's Blue Haven facility and neighbouring community garden, which followed excursions to see Kiama's library, outdoor fitness equipment and community centre.

One aim of Kiama's community garden is to encourage greater social connections between older and younger people, with parts of the garden specifically designed to cater for the elderly.

"In many ways Korea is similar to Australia with an ageing population. This visit is a feather in Kiama's cap," Mrs McCarthy said.

Yesterday afternoon the the Korean Chapter of Healthy Cities headed north to Wollongong to learn about Healthy Cities Illawarra and meet with Wollongong City Council representatives.

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