All is in readiness for the “Avarest” Open Garden event this weekend. Despite this drought the garden has never looked better with its remarkable range.
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All the entry fees (reduced to $20 a couple, single $15.00) and all the proceeds from the auction will go towards providing a break away to as many deeply distressed families as possible, be they farming or rural business. The focus on this particular drought appeal is to get human beings through!
The name of any such family can be placed in a sealed envelope over the weekend and handed to the Blaze Aid organisation who will do the selecting. If required they can also farm-sit. A representative will be on hand at 3pm to explain how Blaze Aid operates.
Signs will be at the highway and the entrance, with regular parking one way, disabled another. Members of the Uniting Church will be providing refreshments. Prizes are on offer for the most correctly identified flora. There will be various stalls, plants etc.
The response for items donated to be auctioned has been nothing short of amazing! Check out Langlands Hanlon Facebook page where there are more than 60 entries listed. The auction will be at 3.30pm on the Saturday.
The range of goods includes a 3.5m windmill, bales of hay, a new chainsaw, many vehicle accessories including Light Bars, a pot belly stove, a gopher, plants, even a rain gauge!
Also selling will be hundreds of the late Len Unger’s lifetime collection of books, some quite rare.
The garden will also be open for inspection from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday.
Marion and Ian are looking forward to opening their garden up in support of farming and business families who are struggling in the current climate
“I’ve always had a passion for gardening, it’s been my therapy to help get me through the tough times,” Marion said.
“The last couple of years I’ve had more time to be able to spend my days being inspired about making the garden just as bit different from others.
“At the moment it’s the best looking garden I’ve ever had over my 53 years of living in the Parkes district ans starting over with a new patch in 2002.
“I love planting, digging holes etc, and thanks to Ian for being able to smash the rocks to get the holes deep enough and getting extra soil in to make a new start.
“It takes a lot of determination to keep going and trying again when some roses etc come in contact with roundup.
“Ian and I would now like to share our garden with others, plus fund raise to help other hurting people and doing it tough throughout the years and for however many years the good lord has allotted for us.”
