Bellbrae church adds garden

THE Uniting Church at Bellbrae has added a new reflective garden for future enjoyment and contemplation.

The garden at the church in School Road is part of wider works at the site, which include painting the church and upgrading the carpark.

A path winds down the hillside through the garden to a quiet space, which will host outdoor services, musical events, and contemplative retreats, and is planted with indigenous flora.

There is also signage throughout about the use of Indigenous plants, and messages to reflect upon.

 

The works were completed just in time for last weekend’s Surf Coast Arts Trail, and were blessed by Reverend Tina Lyndon-Ng on Sunday.

Maxine Flakemore from the church said the garden could become a destination as part of the Spring Creek Walk between Torquay and Bellbrae.

“We plan to call the garden ‘Toombi Guyon’. Toombi is the Wathaurong word for quiet.

“Guyon is after Jeanne Guyon, who wrote a book on prayer in 1685, which resulted in her being imprisoned in the Bastille in solitary confinement for seven years, accused of inciting ‘quietude’, or meditative prayer. Her simple book on prayer has become a Christian classic and is still in print today.”

The earthworks for the garden were completed by local business Digger Now.