A new community garden in Launceston is helping new migrants and refugees establish their roots in Australia.
People being resettled under Australia's Humanitarian Settlement Service Program don't often go to regional areas, and the transition from big cities can be difficult for some.
But new migrants say this humble Tasmanian garden has already started to help make Australia feel more like home.
It's a cold and rainy day in Launceston but the water is welcome at the new Heritage Community Garden in the suburb of Mowbray.
It was built by, and for, the locals here - including many new migrants from Afghanistan, Burma, Bhutan, Liberia and Eritrea.
The seasons here are slightly different from their homelands, so sharing tips and farming techniques is essential to its success.
Bhutanese refugee Karna Gurung came to Australia in 2011.
At least 700 people from Bhutan have resettled in northern Tasmania under Australia's humanitarian program.
A vast majority of Bhutan's population are farmers.
But Mr Gurung says he's had to adjust his farming methods and learn about growing produce in the Mowbray garden.
"The system of farming here and in our country is very different. Like, we have to wait for the monsoon to cultivate our farm back in our country, but here you don't have to because water is available everywhere."
Mr Gurung says growing familiar foods and working in the garden will help the community feel more at home.
"Especially our people like hot chili, grow hot chili, yeah."
John Ali arrived in Australia in 2003 from Sudan.
He now works with northern Tasmania's Migrant Resource Centre, and says the garden will also help alleviate financial stress for some.
"The produce will help. It's something that gives you back. You can eat and you can be able to save some money that you would normally use to go to the market."
Job opportunities, cultural ties and few family connections can be a perticular challenge to new migrants and refugees in regional areas.
Head of the Northern Tasmania Migrant Resource Centre, Ella Dixon, says the garden may be a step in the right direction to creating stronger community ties and even employment opportunities.
She hopes they'll eventually grow enough produce to take to the markets and sell.
"Because the garden's fairly new, we're not seeing the fruits of the labour just yet, however there's a lot of talk about what fruits and vegetables they will be growing."
About 74,000 people live in Launceston and Ms Dixon hopes the garden will engage more of them.
"This garden is not exclusively for our clients, its for the broader community and therefore we're keen for the interactions between local people and our newly arrived migrants."
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