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.
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.
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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.
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dancing with
grevilleas |
Rosemary
Anderson gives advice at the hebel workshop |
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happy
sculptors show the results of the hebel workshop |
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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
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