THINGS got a bit rosier for local charity Uniting Ballarat recently, when it found itself on the receiving end of a $3000 donation from the Ballarat Floral Art Group.<\/p>\n
Back in October the floral art group had held its annual display at the Robert Clark Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and while inclement weather had impacted attendance, the event still raised money to donate to the cause.<\/p>\n
Ballarat Floral Art Group president Anita Hinton said the group’s members were unanimous in their decision to present the donation to Uniting Ballarat to assist it in delivering its ongoing community welfare work, particularly after learning that the charity organisation’s budget had been slashed in recent months.<\/p>\n
During the group’s Christmas function on 16 December, Ms Hinton presented the cheque to Uniting Ballarat’s Faith Thompson who oversees distribution of essential support to individuals and families experiencing hardship.<\/p>\n
“From our annual floral display and during our monthly meetings we raise money to give to a local charity each year,” the floral art group’s vice president Susie Stroud said.<\/p>\n
Besides relishing the camaraderie of like-minded others, and the chance to continually hone their floral art knowhow, group members enjoy supporting community causes.<\/p>\n
Instead of exchanging Kris Kringle gifts, members opted to each make a donation to support the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.<\/p>\n
Ms Hinton said the group has been running for over 30 years and has about 25 members who meet at the Robert Clark Centre on the third Tuesday of the month at 10am, with potential new members always welcome.<\/p>\n
“People who are interested can just pop in and check us out,” she said.<\/p>\n
“We just share a love of flowers and gardens, and the fellowship that we get from being part of the group.”<\/p>\n
Meetings feature regular floral art demonstrations and members participate in workshops and also in major events including the annual Ballarat Begonia Festival when their floral flair goes on exhibition in the Town Hall, and also at the annual Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THINGS got a bit rosier for local charity Uniting Ballarat recently, when it found itself on the receiving end of a $3000 donation from the Ballarat Floral Art Group. Back in October the floral art group had held its annual display at the Robert Clark Centre in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, and while inclement weather […]<\/p>\n