8000 boxes and still counting

By Nicola Ceccato

Nov 9, 2023

A milestone: (Left) Shepparton Access participants Melinda Bohun, Geoff Morris and Nathanael Jessup present Graeme Thomson (centre) with the 8000th hamper box. Photo by Nicola Ceccato

To build 8000 wooden boxes is a lot of work.

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But that’s exactly what Kensington Gardens residents have done, thanks to Graeme Thomson.

Since 2017, Mr Thomson has coordinated the production of 8000 wooden hamper boxes at Kensington Gardens Residents Workshop, which are then donated to Shepparton Access’ Eco Store.

Though the initiative started in 2016, it wasn’t until 2017 that the group began counting their production line, so the number is undoubtedly higher, but in terms of what has been counted, it’s 8000.

On Friday, November 3, the men of the workshop, alongside Shepparton Access participants and staff, celebrated the milestone with balloons and various baked goods.

Team effort: The Resident Workshop men with Shepparton Access participants and staff celebrating 8000 boxes made. Photo by Nicola Ceccato

There, Mr Thomson was awarded the 8000th box filled with hamper goods.

The original idea was to celebrate 10,000 boxes, but Mr Thomson joked how 8000 seemed like a more achievable celebration for him.

“I might have gone off in smoke by the time we get to 10,000,” he said.

The beauty of these boxes is they provide a home for the homemade creations of Shepparton Access’ Eco Store as a hamper.

From growing the produce in their Eco Park to making the jams and sauces to putting the hamper together, every step involves the Shepparton Access participants.

Homemade effort: The boxes are used for a variety of items, from hampers to planters. Photo by Nicola Ceccato

Shepparton Access chief executive Bridgette Herring-Neumann said the impressive effort made by Mr Thomson and the residents was well-commended.

“It really is a huge effort by the men here,” Ms Herring-Neumann said.

“As we’re building as a business, we’re needing more and more boxes, of course, because our hampers are fabulous.

“So it’s a real community partnership that starts from having that opportunity to create something together but also giving back to the community.”

The Residents Workshop provides a space for residents of Kensington Gardens to get creative behind the workbench or even just chat with others over a coffee and a biscuit.

Every day, residents come in and lend a hand in building the boxes.

Over the years, production has ramped up with the popularity of the hampers increasing, especially around the festive season.

“Our original orders were probably about 25 boxes, but as it’s grown, the orders have got bigger and bigger,” Mr Thomson said.

“We just got an order for 120, which we’re in the process of doing now, so it’s a fantastic effort.”

To purchase one of the hampers, visit the Eco Store at 225 Wyndham St, Shepparton.