History of COGS

The Canberra Organic Growers Society Inc. is a non-profit organisation which was started in 1977 with the aim of providing a forum for organic growers to exchange information and encourage the general public to adopt organic growing methods.

This list is incomplete and I would be grateful to learn of errors and omissions. For instance, I don’t know in which year the Watson garden was established.

– Walter Steensby

1977

Founded in August by the enthusiasm of Betty Cornhill. Named the ‘Organic Gardening and Farming Society of the A.C.T.’ or O.G.F.S.A.C.T.

Ran a single ‘guerilla’ (unofficial) garden for three years in Watson.

1981

Name changed to Canberra Organic Growers (C.O.G.).

Membership sinks to 30; extinction of C.O.G. looking likely.

1980s

Watson garden moved to Mitchell owing to housing developments.

1982

Membership built up to 96; extinction averted.

1985

Adopted a Constitution.

Changed name to Canberra Organic Growers Society (COGS).

1989

Erindale garden established.

Cotter garden moved owning to proposed earthworks (still proposed).

1991

Membership almost 300.

1992

Oaks Estate garden established.

2001-2005

Cook, Dickson, Holder, Kambah, O’Connor and Queanbeyan gardens established.

2009

Kaleen garden established

2011

Membership grows to 430.

2013

Queanbeyan garden transferred to NSW management.

Crace garden established.

Membership reaches 480.