Jacquelyn Wong received a Community Builder Award at the 2025 North Sydney Community Awards. This award was presented to Jacquelyn in recognition of her leadership in creating a welcoming and inclusive space at the Coal Loader Community Garden.
Since joining the Community Garden in 2009, Jacquelyn has helped it grow into a thriving community space where people of all backgrounds can connect, learn and share knowledge about sustainability practices. Jacquelyn has helped nurture a strong sense of belonging and shared responsibility by mentoring and encouraging others to become involved with hands-on gardening. She's also been instrumental in inspiring others to take steps towards caring for the environment and each other.
Q&A with Jacquelyn
Tell us about your connection to North Sydney:
My family moved to Australia in 2002 and chose to settle in North Sydney, because we had liked it from previous visits. We had lived in Bali for 14 years and decided to move when our eldest child was of school age. I am Chinese by ancestry, raised in California, French by marriage and Australian for over 20 years.
I have held many volunteer roles, starting with being a “candy striper" at a hospital during high school. In Bali, I did not qualify for a work permit but was allowed to do volunteer work. I volunteered at orphanages, for raising funds for medical expenses, and for language assistance. Shortly after we arrived in North Sydney, my husband and I were able to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, as well as provide transport for medical appointments. Over the years , I have continued volunteer work by providing assistance at school, girl guides, teaching English and providing support to refugees and migrants.
I joined the Coal Loader Community Garden in 2009 shortly after it opened. It has grown exponentially in membership and in area. We now create all of our own compost to use in the gardens and focus more on variety of crops than quantity of harvest. We want to show the hundreds of visitors that stroll through our garden the many options available to them.
What are you working towards at the moment that you’re excited about?
Planning and reorganising things with our gardening group so more of the knowledge, skills and responsibilities are shared. Continue to encourage more sustainability by small steps to help others spread their knowledge.
What are you most proud of?
That I am able to continue to use my time to assist and volunteer. A bit of attention, conversation makes a difference to everyone.
It was a struggle, but I went back to uni to study sustainability, 35 years after my degree in Economics.
That I have been able to encourage people to try their hand in the garden and be more sustainable. I want them to learn and gain confidence, without worrying about terminology or doing it perfectly. There is no failure, because there is another season coming up and every little action can make a difference and set an example. The Coal Loader has been a wonderful platform because so many people walk through. If I can help demystify food growing , then it is a win for everyone.
What or who inspires you?
All the Immigrant /refugee women who have left their homes and forged a new life for themselves. My Mother, who had an arranged marriage, left China at the age of 17. Despite only a basic education and all the differences (language, culture, isolation), she managed to create a new life. I am also technically a "migrant" to Australia, but I have done nothing in comparison to the hardships and changes these women had to overcome.
Tell us about another notable woman that you admire?
Maggie Beer. She didn't have formal training as a chef, but she has had such an influence. appreciate that she is fuss free and simplifies cooking. And in recent years she has influenced retirement home meals. An example to all of us that a person can continue to contribute , no matter our age, education or experience. One doesn't need to be an expert to succeed.