The opening of the private gardens, located in Denver, is a rare opportunity for people to go behind-the-scenes of one of Australia’s most celebrated gardens, while raising funds for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. 

Mr Bangay purchased the property as a cow paddock 12 years ago and has since transformed it into the mesmerising seven acres of gardens it is today.

Mr Bangay, who sits on the board of the foundation and is a good friend of Stephanie Alexander, will donate all proceeds from the event to the foundation to help it achieve its vision that children form positive food habits for life. 

He said he was proud to be contributing to this vision to assist more children to learn how to grow, harvest, prepare and share fresh, seasonal food. 

“It is vital for children to eat fresh produce and the best way to help them do this is to show them how to grow it. Planting seeds and watching them bear fruit encourages enthusiasm and understanding,” he said.

He said teaching kids how to grow healthy food by getting them involved in the entire process of food production was an innovative idea that was now implemented in hundreds, more than 10 per cent, of primary schools across the nation.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is hoping for the program to become part of the primary school curriculum to further spread the benefits of what the program offers.

Mr Bangay said teaching kids what was healthy, and not so healthy for them, was something that was especially important today given that childhood obesity was on the rise. 

“We have found that the program sees the kids taking recipes home, meaning they are influencing what their parents cook,” he said.

Mr Bangay and Stephanie Alexander will be signing books on site during the open garden event, while a selection of fine food and drink and a vibrant community market will also be on offer.

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/stonefields