LOCALS in South Lake grew tried of their drab, graffitied alleyway so they decided to tszuj it up themselves.

Sandie Fonseca and her neighbours–some of whom have known each other for 20 years—banded together and beautified the alleyway at the end of Mollerin Place.

“We all have the ability to create a sanctuary where we are,” posted Ms Fonseca on Facebook.

“Don’t wait to be in the perfect street, the best suburb, the dream home….we have all we need because of the connections we make, our neighbours.

• Tszujed-up alleyway at Mollerin Place in South Lake. Photo by Matthew Dwyer

“I feel so grateful for all your positive comments and I wish you all a sanctuary in your neighbourhood.”

The transformation went down a storm on social media, but resident Naomi Cini Ligovich says the secret garden is still a work in progress.

“If anyone has any spare freesia bulbs or others, we would be grateful to put them to use in our street garden,” she posted.

“We have been prettying our path area in our street. Thanks.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK