Open Gardens Celebrating Spring

Lake Macquarie Garden Club was formed 35 years ago and has only 38 members – with some of the founding members still amongst them. On the third Tuesday of every month, the group gets together to explore their own and other gardens.

This year, the club is planning to open ten such gardens to the public for a weekend, that will not only be a celebration of Spring but provide the group with an opportunity to show the wider community the beauty of a garden along with artworks and raise money for medical research undertaken by Hunter Medical Research Institute.

“Our area has many talented artists; painters, printmakers, sculptors, potters, felt workers and calligraphers. It seemed the perfect combination; beautiful gardens, big and bold, small and intricate in which to exhibit artworks. 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,” said Club Coordinator, Lynne Turner.

Each garden will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th of October. Entry will be by donation of $5 per garden or $35 for all ten gardens, with all money collected going to HMRI. HMRI also has its annual open day this month – on the Friday 12th October from 10am -3pm. The research centre will welcome the community with a Health and Medical Research Expo, laboratory tours, kids interactive science activities, and a Science Meets Fiction talk by Dr Luke Hesson.

Take the kids along for a fun and educational day out during the school holidays. “Last year we raised $25K over the two days, and with Council support for the printing and marketing, I am sure that we can do even better this year. Even more importantly, community fundraising attracts further significant funds from the federal government to assist in further research projects,” said Lynne.

The open gardens are located on both eastern and western sides of Lake Macquarie. From the Marks Point in the south to Jewells, Mt Hutton, Speers Point, Bolton Point, to Toronto and Coal Point on the western side of the Lake. All the gardens are unique gardens that haven’t been shown to the public previously.

Owners of the properties will be on hand to answer your questions and share their passion for gardening and morning and/or afternoon tea/coffee will be available at some of the gardens. Why not get a group together to have a day out with lunch in the area at restaurants, cafés or even a picnic in a park – as simple or as sophisticated as you desire.

Details and maps are available for you to plan your day out – check out some of the posters around the community or visit the clubs Facebook page. Businesses displaying the posters will also be able to provide you with a flyer and map. Round up friends and family for a wonderful weekend of spectacular gardens. For more information you can email artandgardenslakemac@gmail.com