Lake Macquarie Open Gardens 2019 Celebrate Spring – Lynne Turner

Lake Macquarie Garden Club has only 38 members, at the very mature end of the age spectrum, who get together every third Tuesday of the month to explore gardens, expand our knowledge of all things horticultural as well as fulfil our social needs.

This year, the club is planning to open another ten gardens to the public on the weekend of 12^th & 13^th October in celebration of Spring, to show the wider community the beautiful gardens in our area along with exhibitions of artworks, and at the same time raise money for, and awareness of, the medical research undertaken by Hunter Medical Research Institute.

The Club, formed thirty-seven years ago, still has some of those original members who ask the question,” what makes a garden unique?”  Is it a reflection of its creator? Where do the ideas come from? And how do you use this inspiration or knowledge to create a garden or a work of art?  An artwork does have a finite completion; a garden is always a work in progress.

Our area has many talented artists; painters, print makers, sculptors, potters, felt workers and calligraphers.  It seemed the perfect combination; beautiful gardens, big and bold, small and intricate in which to exhibit art works.  Some of the gardens were professionally designed, others the result of hard yakka and dedication by the owners.  The artists exhibiting in the gardens, under a pergola or in a garage, are as varied as the gardens.

Each garden will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th  October.   Entry will be by donation of $5 per garden or $35 for all ten gardens with all money collected going to HMRI-   Hunter Medical Research Institute. All money raised over the weekend stays here in our community for the benefit of the of the community.

HMRI undertakes research into the cure for cancers, pulmonary fibrosis, stroke prevention and treatment, heart attack and arterial disease, the impact of healthy arteries on cognitive function in older members of our community.

This year the 10 unique open gardens & 2 bonus gardens are located on the western side of Lake Macquarie.  From Eraring, Wangi Wangi in the south to Coal Point, Toronto, Blackall’s Park and around the lake to the northern side of Toronto.

The bonus gardens include: 

• A great space/ idea.  What do you do with the longer wanted swimming pool? These owners have young son who has turned the pool into a creative pond environment.  The frogs and fish just love it.
• The Coal Point Public School. The rejuvenated gardens, plantings and the above ground vegetable gardens are a must to see.  A focus of study for the students has been on healthy food production and the garden gives simple practical experience for the young students. The plans for the recently announced Naturescape project will also be on display.  

Owners of the gardens will be on hand to answer your questions and share their passion for gardening, the environment, sustainable gardens and horticulture.  One gardener will share her knowledge about a Japanese method of producing a natural liquid fertiliser.

Morning and/ or afternoon tea/coffee will be available at some of the gardens. 

Details and maps will be available for you to plan your day out.A Facebook page Lake Macquarie Garden Club, will keep you informed. Print your own flyer from the Facebook site or obtain a flyer from all businesses displaying our posters.

Round up friends and family for a wonderful weekend visiting spectacular gardens, lunching in the area at restaurants, cafes or even a picnic in a park-as simple or as sophisticated as you desire.

For more information contact Lynne Turner

Email: artandgardenslakemac@gmail.com

Facebook: Lake Macquarie Garden Club

Can our gardens help save the planet?

The Environmental Trust that funded the Threatened Species Last Stand on the Coal Point peninsula project (TSLS) is calling for expressions of interest for new projects.

The CPPA is wondering is anyone interested in being a part of a new project that would assist landowners; by providing on-ground support to manage weeds, providing plants and garden plans to transition existing garden beds to native garden patches that support biodiversity and help address the climate emergency.

One of the issues that was identified in the TSLS project was how people’s gardens impacted on the adjacent bushland, through exotic grasses and weeds escaping beyond the back fence. The new project would assist to create a buffer garden bed that backs onto the bushland so that this threat is removed.

Another issue that the TSLS project explored was how to maintain a corridor of connectivity for Squirrel Gliders to be able to move along the peninsula, this new project would provide suitable plants and nest boxes for people’s yards to help join the dots of corridor connectivity and provide valuable food for the threatened fauna.

With many places across the world recognising the climate emergency this new project would make a commitment to addressing the emergency at a local level, looking at ways to use vegetation to stabilise foreshores, provide connective hope for the plants and animals that live locally and capture some carbon in the process.

Is there a willingness within the community to take on such a project? If you have a garden or some green space and are interested please contact Suzanne 0438 596 741 or email coalpointprogress@gmail.com by the end of July.