Gardens and service club mutually supportive

NATURE and nurture go hand-in-hand for the Rotary Club of Ballarat West.

The group is a long-term supporter of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, having donated $5000 to the Gatekeeper’s Cottage and $2500 to the BotaniKIDS program for educational resources.

Past president of the Rotary Club of Ballarat West, Lidia Aitken said the park recently took some time to give back.

“Rotary Club members had a tour and talk given by Friend of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, Julie Bradby, the convenor of the Gatekeeper’s Cottage,” she said.

“It’s one of the oldest buildings in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, first erected in the late 19th century.

“They were updated on its fascinating history and how the cottage is used for the BotaniKIDS Program, involving Ballarat primary schools…and giving children the opportunity to learn in and with the natural world.”

Ninth biennial Rotary fundraising event, Garden DesignFest will showcase professionally designed outdoor spaces throughout the state in November, and current work-in-progress, the Ballarat Fernery, is to be supported by the festival.

“Peter Marquand, curator parks and nursery from the City of Ballarat, gave a very informative and interesting update to our members on the future of the fernery, supported by our mayor, Cr Ben Taylor,” Ms Aitken said.

The signature garden at Lal Lal Estate will be open during Garden DesignFest, with a further five acres of landscaping since it was last shown in 2018.

Visit gardendesignfest.com.au for more information on the event which will support Youth Suicide Awareness this year. Garden DesignFest has raised over $600,000 in the last 16 years.