We would like to thank the following for their sponsorship of our very successful Open Day 09:

Bruce & Jocelyn Wolfe - Australian Voices

Rosemary & John Anderson - Hebel workshop & nest building, sculpture donation

Glenmorgan SS, Hannaford SS, Condamine Seeds and the Blue Light Disco. Group - Tents .

Ian Venables - Bird walks

Miles Regional Arts Council - Bus, sound equipment, radio play

Glenmorgan State School - data projector

OPEN DAY 2009

OPEN DAY visitors, despite the blusterings of wind, heat and dust, enjoyed a day of world class choral singing by the Australian Voices under the direction of renowned composer, conductor, Stephen Leek. Three of the songs were created for the Garden; one celebrated the Gordon grevilleas, another the names of grevilleas growing in the Garden while another was based on the names and sounds of the cicadas.


	Australian Voices choir

The wonderful musicality of the Clocked Out Duo playing a variety of ‘unusual’ instruments and the light hearted radio play performed by the Qld Arts Council Miles Branch players added to the entertainment.

The radio play - read Ann's face, she plays the new Australian head of state, horrifying her political minders

Rosemary Anderson ran a successful hebel workshop prior to Open Day and was present with her sculptures and nest building. We are delighted with Rosemary's donation of a piece of sandstone sculpted into the form of an eagle. Rosemary's husband John wrote the dedication below.


dancing with grevilleas	Rosemary Anderson gives advice at the hebel workshop


happy sculptors show the results of the hebel workshop

The gardens impress with rare beauty,

A truly natural setting

That hides its charm.

You have to search,

You have to make effort

For the greater reward

This precious place provides.

This sandstone eagle

A gift in appreciation,

Wishing it will add

For those serious seekers

Another magical moment.

John & Rosemary Anderson

August 2009

Bus tours of the Garden were popular and despite the heat of the previous week, there were many delights. Bird walks were led by Ian Venables at dusk and dawn the next morning and a Jabiru (now called a Black-necked stork) was sighted on the Lake. Nita Lester gave a presentation on birds from the Americas. Thanks to the Hall Committee for food and bar, to the various ones who lent tents and other items, to all who contributed in any way to the success of the day.

The day was a celebration of 21 years of being run as a community Garden and a roll call of all Board members was made. The first committee comprised

President – Nita Lester, Vice President – Sandra Neill, Secretary – Joan Schwennesen, Treasurer – Peter Gordon and Committee members – Dave Gordon, Merinda Warner, Jane Bridle, Bob Harslett, Keith Kerr, Rob Lethbridge, Carol McCormack and Dorinda Schwennesen.


Carol McCormack & Joan Schwennesen	Merinda Warner and Sandra Neill

Over the years, Lorraine Barnes, Stephen and Penelope Comino, Mim Hirst, Ann Henning, Phillip Lester, Elaine Lyons, Donna O’Brien, Ian Russell, Peter Voller and Kate Whittall have followed on as Board members. The current Board comprises Trevor Bacon, Ann and Ted Gibbons, Gill Kidd, Nita Lester, Carol McCormack, Megan McNicholl, Priscilla Mundell, Lyn and Peter Reilly, Sue Reilly, Betty Salter, Dorinda Schwennesen and Garth Shaw. (Those in italics were present on the day)


Roderick Gilmour and Ray Brown	Betty and David Salter at the smoko stall

The ‘sense of arrival’ panels bordering a new grid were admired and congratulations went to designer, Jenny Cameron (grand daughter of Dave & Dorothy Gordon) and husband Andy who constructed them. Jenny, Andy and children, Curtis and Lucy were present on the day. Thanks to Western Downs Regional Council for the grid and a Qld Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant for the grevillea panels.

Andy and Jenny Cameron who designed and engineered our new entrance panels

Q150 banners flew in recognition of the Garden’s Q150 grant for providing more plant labels and signage, relating the Garden’s history for visitors.

Dorinda Schwennesen