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about ceres

CERES is an environmental education centre, community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub spread across four locations, linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm (Melbourne).

Our vision is for people to fall in love with the Earth again and to that end, our work spans environmental, social, economic, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

drone birds-eye view

We receive around half a million visits per year to our original park in Brunswick East, and reach nearly another million through our other locations, school outreach programs and online services.

The CERES School of Nature and Climate is the evolution of our education programs into a focused response to the climate and ecological crisis we are facing.

Our environmental education offerings at Brunswick East, in schools and online, are designed to reconnect people to each other and the Earth, developing the practical skills, knowledge, leadership qualities and community resilience that will be needed in the coming decades.

View a map of our Brunswick East park here.

contact

VISITOR CENTRE

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
9.00am – 12.30pm

Call
(03) 9389 0100

Email
ceres@ceres.org.au

about ceres

CERES is an environmental education centre, community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub spread across four locations, linked by the Merri and Darebin Creeks on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm (Melbourne).

Our vision is for people to fall in love with the Earth again and to that end, our work spans environmental, social, economic, spiritual and cultural dimensions.

drone birds-eye view

We receive around half a million visits per year to our original park in Brunswick East, and reach nearly another million through our other locations, school outreach programs and online services.

The CERES School of Nature and Climate is the evolution of our education programs into a focused response to the climate and ecological crisis we are facing.

Our environmental education offerings at Brunswick East, in schools and online, are designed to reconnect people to each other and the Earth, developing the practical skills, knowledge, leadership qualities and community resilience that will be needed in the coming decades.

View a map of our Brunswick East park here.

contact

VISITOR CENTRE

Opening hours:
Monday – Sunday
9.00am – 12.30pm

Call
(03) 9389 0100

Email
ceres@ceres.org.au

OUR HISTORY +

For thousands of years the Wurundjeri people lived on the land where CERES (pronounced ‘series’) now stands. The Merri Creek was a focus of their lifestyle, a place to swim and play and a vital source of food.

Following the European invasion, the Victorian gold rush and the growth of Melbourne city, the site was quarried for bluestone then turned into a landfill site for household and construction waste. As industry moved in the water became polluted and the trees and wildlife disappeared.

In 1982, a small group of people in the local area approached the then-Brunswick (now Moreland) Council about making use of the land to grow vegetables and make compost as part of a “work-for-the-dole” program. Explorations in alternative technology quickly followed, and shortly afterwards, invitations for school kids to learn about these emerging programs in green technology, recycling and organic farming.

Along with Merri Creek Management Committee and Friends of Merri Creek, CERES and volunteers planted hundreds of trees and shrubs and lobbied governments to clean up the creek. In 1994, after 12 years of remediation work, kingfishers returned to nest along the banks of the creek, having been absent for many years.

Now, CERES is an award-winning community place that is visited by people from around the world who want to understand how this place has come to be, and how they can take some of the ingredients back to their own places. We think the key ingredient is love for each other and the Earth.

Click here to find out more about our history.

Our locations +
drone birds-eye view
CERES Brunswick East

Corner Roberts & Stewart Streets
Brunswick East
VIC 3057

Sustainable wood, firewood
CERES Fair Wood

31-33 Raglan Street
Preston
VIC 3072

wheelbarrow, farm, rows, veggies, greenery
Joe's Market Garden

34 Edna Grove
Coburg
VIC 3058

Fair Food, organic, groceries, delivered
CERES Fair Food

20 Water Road
Preston
VIC 3072

Our Values +
OUR THEORY OF CHANGE +

Our Theory of Change (PDF) explains how we are bringing about the change we wish to see in the world. It is for anyone looking to engage more deeply with CERES, or work with us to make a bigger impact.

Our five Program Areas +
Home Icon
We are a home for nature and people

We care for our places and foster experiences of belonging through our Staff and Volunteers, Members, Board, Site Groups, Places, and Venue Operations.

School Icon
We are a school for discovery and learning

We facilitate discovery and learning for all ages through our School of Nature and Climate, which includes Student Programs, Teacher Programs, and Adult Learning Programs.

Farm Icon
We are a farm with our hands in the earth

We support a more regenerative food system through  Honey Lane Farm, Joe’s Market Garden, Microgreens, Community Garden, and our growers and suppliers.

Market Icon
We are a market for purposeful trade

We are building a market for purposeful trade through our Nursery, Fair Food, Grocery, Bakery, Merri Cafe, Fair Wood, Consulting, and by supporting SENVIC.

Story Icon
We are a story of change and hope

We share stories of change and hope through our Communications, Events, Consulting and Partnerships.

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