Parkes East School Hall was the venue and a team of workers was there early to decorate the hall and set up the tables with fine china. 

Two magnificent flower arrangements were made by Val Boyd and Barbara Magill. 

Some 62 members and guests attended and enjoyed the day.

Events commenced with a very short monthly meeting which was followed by the AGM.

This was followed by a powerpoint presentation which covered a range of club activities including the inaugural meeting held in the Crypt of the Anglican Church in November 1994. 

Pixie Tom was the first President and she was ably assisted by a committee which included Vice President Coral Barber, Secretary Dina White, and Treasurer Henry Dawson. 

There were plenty of stories and photos which told the history of the club and its many activities. 

The initial membership of 40 has grown over the 21 years to more than 100 members. 

Monthly newsletters have been a feature throughout the club’s history, with some old examples still showing the 45 cent postage stamp which was applicable back in the 1990s. 

The format of club activities must be regarded as a ‘winning formula’ as many of the traditions started in 1994 are still popular. 

Members meet in each other’s gardens once a month and enjoy lots of fun and friendship as well as useful garden tips.

There is always a magnificent afternoon tea of home cooked goodies. 

At each meeting, there is a cut flower competition and a trading table which has lots of garden produce supplied by members and allows the club to make a few dollars to help with administrative costs. 

At several meetings, guest speakers enlighten all with their gardening expertise and experiences.

A particular highlight of the powerpoint presentation were the photos taken on many of the yearly trips that members enjoy. 

From one-day to seven-day trips away, there is always plenty of interest in visiting other towns and gardens and of course, much fun and enjoyment along the way. 

The popular Christmas parties also featured in the photographs, with plenty of evidence of happy times.

Although organising open gardens is a lot of work, history shows these are very popular days in Parkes. 

The local community supports them well and buses travel into town to see what Parkes has to offer in the way of gardens. 

An important offshoot of the open gardens is that the club is able to donate money to local charities. 

Just in the past few years, some recipients of those funds have been Western Care Lodge ($8000); Currajong Disabilities ($4500); Companions Through Cancer ($1500); Relay for Life, and many others. 

Just this year, the club has been active in the community by planting a section of the new gardens on Memorial Hill; and donating two Gallipoli Centenary roses – one has been planted at the Cenotaph in Cooke Park and the other in a garden at Middleton Public School.

It was with great delight and hilarity that a hat parade was part of the  birthday celebrations.

Ann Olson was invited judge and her engaging commentary about the hats on parade added to the interest and fun.  

There were several categories and the winners were Pat McCallum (elegant); Leah Douglas and Daphney Hutchings (humorous); Elsie Mahon (most floral); Barbara Magill (typical gardener); Zilda Watts (best female) and Bill Skinner (best male). 

A small gift was presented to Ann as appreciation to her as judge. 

Elsie Mahon very cleverly encapsulated all that the club does in a poem which she wrote and read to the gathering. 

- - - - - 

Elected at the AGM for the next 12 months were:

President - Elsie Mahon.

Vice-President - Gail Rosewarn.

Secretary - Pat McCallum.

Treasurer - Lyn Winter

Committee members - Robyn Morrissey, John Job, Leah Douglas, Daphney Hutchings, Wayne Rogers, Dianne Sondermeyer.

The next meeting will be the Christmas party on Saturday, December 12, in the Parkes Services Club.

The Garden Club then takes a break during the hot months of January and February, resuming on the second Saturday in March, 2016.

The club can be contacted by mail, PO Box 326 Parkes, or by email to the Secretary, badger47@bigpond.net.au.