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Biennial gardens event returns next month

October 4, 2024 BY

L-R: St Leonards Garden Club members George McLaren, Wendy Kerr, Kaye Kelly, Karen Ritchens, Wilma McLaren, Lynda Lette, Frank Gaylard, Wayne Lette and Cherry the Labrador. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

MORE than a dozen gardens will open up to the Northern Bellarine community next month for the biennial St Leonards Open Garden Day.

15 gardens will feature in St Leonards Garden Club’s Open Garden Day, spread out across the towns of St Leonards, Indented Head and Drysdale.

Held on November 2 over the Melbourne Cup Weekend, it will be the second time the Open Gardens Day will be held.

Club president Kaye Kelly said the sheer number of gardens to be opened to the public meant this year’s event will be slightly larger in terms of scope.

 

L-R: St Leonards Garden Club members Karen Ritchens, Kaye Kelly, George McLaren (standing) and Wilma McLaren are excited for next month’s St Leonards Open Gardens Day.

 

“It’s a great chance for everyone to get out and about and enjoy each other’s company.

“Our inaugural event in 2022 was very successful, particularly on the back of COVID-19, so we’re hoping to recreate that.

“We had over 400 people attend two years ago, so this year we’re expecting more, and the club is excited for that.”

Four presentations will be held throughout the day by plant experts and authors Kerry and Craig Castree, who will go in-depth on the benefits of one’s mental health through gardening and edible gardening.

 

St Leonards Garden Club president Kaye Kelly says this year’s St Leonards Open Gardens Day will be bigger than the inaugural event held in 2022.

 

Garden club member Wayne Long will also provide a talk on the role birds can play in gardens.

All proceeds raised through the $10 entry fee for all gardens and raffle prizes will go towards costs inherited from the day and the ongoing operations of the St Leonards Garden Club, which has been running for more than 40 years in the area.

The gardens will be open from 10am to 4pm on the day. Here’s the full list of garden sites which will be open:

  • St Leonards Primary School
  • 25 Dudley Street, St Leonards
  • 3 Blanche Street, St Leonards
  • 15 Harvey Road, St Leonards
  • 39 Leviens Road, St Leonards
  • 64 Leviens Road, St Leonards
  • 27 Miranda Count, St Leonards
  • 110 Thornton Avenue, St Leonards
  • 2 Gallant Street, St Leonards
  • 125 Ibbotson Road, Indented Head
  • 14-16 Sand Close, Indented Head
  • 85 Calhoun Road, Indented Head
  • 24-26 Cemetary Road, Drysdale
  • 106 Princess Street, Drysdale, and
  • 10 Lake Street, Drysdale