Buninyong’s bright bikes back in bloom

HAVE you ever spotted red bicycles with colourful flower baskets around Buninyong over the summer period?

They’re an initiative of the Friends of Buninyong Botanic Gardens, embracing the Australian National Road Cycling Championships as the event rides into the village, and delighting visiting spectators.

This month, the group’s volunteers have partnered with Buninyong Primary School students at the Gardens’ Old Police Station to plant petunias, Liberia and red geraniums into baskets and pots which are attached to the front and back of the 30-bike fleet.

FBBG president, Roger Permezel said there would be seven “growing weeks” to see the “welcoming” two-wheeled displays around the town.

“The RoadNats are being held from Wednesday, 3 to Sunday, 7 February, so with good care and good luck, our flowers should be at their blooming colourful peak,” he said.

“Council has provided the garden consumables and seedlings via Bunnings Delacombe, who have been most generous.

“We’re looking forward to there still being a good turn-out for the RoadNats this year. There is usually around 10,000 people in Buninyong, although some may drop-off due to the coronavirus effect.”

FBBG volunteer, Lorraine Powell assisted BPS’ grade 3 pupils to create some potted colour last Monday morning.

“It’s lovely that these kids are going to be able to show their families what they did on the last week of school,” she said. “They’ll be scattered around the village, and one will be up the Mount.”

If Buninyong residents or passers-by think the baskets and pots look a bit dry, volunteer Judy Wilson asks people to please “give them a water,” in the coming weeks.