Vasili Kanidiadis, famous host of the Vasili’s Garden show, was presented with Melbourne Award for Contribution to Sustainability by an Individual. About 10 years ago, Vasili Kanidiadis hit on the idea of visiting gardeners from different migrant backgrounds to learn about their techniques and educate people about growing, harvesting and cooking their own food. Each week, with his show Vasili’s Garden, he visits the private world of backyard gardeners to discover passionate people willing to share their knowledge. Now in its 10th year, Melbourne awards are given to individuals and organisations for their contributions to the city’s profile, community, and sustainability. “I’m honoured to have received such an award, I never expected to receive it. I feel very proud to have been acknowledged for what we love to do and that is to teach and share with the wider community how to live sustainably, from the garden right through to the kitchen. This is something that we will continue to do as long as we physically can,” Vasili tells Neos Kosmos. Aired on Channel 31 and SBS, in the highly popular Vasili’s Garden, Vasili passes on the information he learnt about the benefits of recycling, reducing and reusing products – knowledge often handed down from parents and grandparents who had to garden to survive in their home countries. The show has recently clocked up 500 episodes and is still growing. “Next year in the new series we’re introducing new segments like healthy habits, green living, how to’s in the garden and great kitchen recipes as well,” Vasili said, with more information to be revealed closer to the launch date. In June and July this year, over 20 episodes of Vasili’s Garden were filmed in Greece. The team is hoping to go back to Greece soon, as Vasili said, but like all shows it requires sponsorship support to make it possible. “The audience of Vasili’s Garden absolutely loved the shows that were filmed in Greece and are always asking for more,” Vasili said. Vasili also has regular segments on radio with SBS and 3AW, writes a weekly column for the Herald Sun and edits his own magazine titled Good Organic Gardening. He runs an organic cafe and grocery store as part of his garden centre – at 21 – 25 Munro Street, Coburg, Victoria – with auditorium where he hosts cooking classes and gardening demonstrations. “The classes have gone through the roof, the garden and cafe has out grown the space they have, but we love a packed house every time. “Average class size is 50 with kids and about 35 with adults. Everyone wants to become more environmentally friendly and it’s great to see they believe in us to guide them in the right direction,” Vasili said. Amongst the organic and home-style dishes that this place has to offer, Vasili says that the most popular is definitely mama’s Eleni home-style spanakopita, then the moussaka and galaktoboureko.