Pat Makes Richmond Open Gardens A Bloomin’ Success
Richmond village residents opened their gardens in November to raise funds for the Ten Lives Building Project. The event was organised by superstar Op Shop Volunteer, Pat Giles, whose garden was one of five exhibited on the day.
ARTICLE BY: Rich East, Ten Lives
The crowds were blessed with a blue skied spring day and were lining up from 10am at Pat’s in Commercial Rd where the event was coordinated. The day also included plant sales, and an op shop & cupcake stall. Ten Lives Community and Education Manager, Rose Bray, set up a table to discuss cat welfare with the public.
Pat began working the overgrown garden and adjacent paddock in 2017 with husband Graham. It now features a cottage garden, woodland shaded garden, native borders, lawn with perennial borders, and the most exquisite daphne hedge. All these elements are brought together with a gravel path and drystone walls. A sandstone paved circle edged with crocosmia now stands where the paddock once was below a vegetable terrace with raised beds and trellis.
Pat and Graham’s garden also features a great example of cat containment. They have built two outdoor enclosures separated by a 20 metre cat run giving their kitties the opportunity to enjoy the garden safely.
Visitors to Lorraine and John Headlam’s backyard were welcomed through a series of garden rooms Lorraine has been developing for over 20 years. A magnificent elm tree stands as the centrepiece of the garden. A path takes you through the rooms to a feature fountain encircled by a box hedge, the area bordered by catnip and yellow and violet irises. The garden retains glimpses of Butchers Hill.
Many visitors chose to enjoy the walk between the gardens and soon found themselves on the other side of town at Bev and Geoff Reid’s garden.
Rebuilt in 2003, they created a conventional English style garden of lawns and arbours with perennial borders. Plantings include clematis, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and succulents.
On the next street over Susan and Andrew Finney delighted visitors with their enchanting property. Described as a private haven away from the hustle and bustle outside the front gate, the circled pavers lead visitors under shady trees and past playful topiary. Extensive hedging and perennials bring the elements together.
A mystery garden announced on the day charmed the public with its contemporary design. Tara & David Edmondson developed the garden and filled it with dry tolerant perennials including succulents and delightful flowering cacti. It features a productive kitchen garden with structural feature plants bringing the garden together.
The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all with over 400 visitors attending the event. A total of $8000 was raised from tickets, plant & stall sales, and donations on the day. Pat planned and developed the event all on her own accord, including rounding up the 20 volunteers who helped out on the day.
The staff and kitties at Ten Lives would like to thank Pat for not only her ongoing volunteer work at the Argyle St Op Shop and her key involvement in the Richmond Project, but also for so generously applying her time and skills in raising this significant donation.
We would also like to thank volunteers on the day Angela Swan, Minella Rivera, Vaiva Ikanevice, Jon Harvey, and Preben Sørensen who ran the gate sales. Richard Bullough and Phyllis Sorour who ran the Covid check in. Bronywn Limbrick, Leanne Cook, and Jeanette Gartlan who ran the Op Shop stall. Grace, Eve, & Lily for running the cupcake stall. Ashmore’s apprentice chef, Zoe Taylor, who baked the 100 cupcakes. Christine Clifford and Anne Lewis who also assisted on the day. And of course, the wonderful garden owners Pat & Graham Giles, Lorraine & John Headlam, Tara & David Edmondson, Susan & Andrew Finney, and Bev & Geoff Reid.
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