ONE hundred and sixty new trees will be planted by the Ballarat Horticultural Society this coming year in celebration of a special milestone.<\/p>\n
The group is turning 160 this month, having begun on 18 October 1859 when a group of prominent men met at Bath\u2019s Hotel, all with the common interest of forming a horticultural association.<\/p>\n
Started initially by serious horticulturalists, in 2019 the club is a community-based organisation for anyone interested in gardening. It boasts around 100 members of varying abilities, ranging from 25 to 90 years old, and everyone is welcome.<\/p>\n
President, Kelly Kerr said the society has experienced 16 decades of inspiration, planning, implementation and determination to \u201cplant and grow\u201d Ballarat. She\u2019s \u201cawestruck\u201d to be part of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took men of vision to start this journey, and men and women of dedication and stamina to ensure the continuation and fulfilment of their dream,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just a garden club, it\u2019s about growing, the environment, sustainability and keeping our planet alive. Every one of us is part of this wonderful achievement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having grown up in the Goulburn Valley, Ms Kerr finds all things Ballarat wonderful, from the statues to the trees.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s passionate about keeping the iconic green traditions of the city strong, has learnt so much from fellow society members, and is excited by their next project, planting 160 celebratory trees.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to seeing our wonderful members, head down, bum up, planting the parks and gardens of the future.<\/p>\n
We won\u2019t stop there. If we are to survive, continue and grow, we must stay active and relevant,\u201d Ms Kerr said.<\/p>\n
The society\u2019s long-term success and action is evident in the city\u2019s key green spaces, like Lake Wendouree, the Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park, the planted avenues on Victoria and Sturt Streets, and the Avenue of Honour.<\/p>\n
Even the established trees locals enjoy in precincts like Webster and Frank Streets are to be attributed to the Ballarat Horticultural Society.<\/p>\n
Although the group has been ever-changing with advancing times, Vice-President Joy Jones said some things have stayed the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all interested in promoting gardening, and keeping gardening going because we are the \u2018Garden City\u2019 and sometimes that gets forgotten,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ONE hundred and sixty new trees will be planted by the Ballarat Horticultural Society this coming year in celebration of a special milestone. The group is turning 160 this month, having begun on 18 October 1859 when a group of prominent men met at Bath\u2019s Hotel, all with the common interest of forming a horticultural […]<\/p>\n