Shirley Gordon is well known in the nursery and gardening trade. For many years she held her own as a popular female business owner on Wycheproof’s Broadway streetscape.  

These days, Shirley is often spotted in her picturesque garden on Corack Road.  Now in her late 80s, Shirley’s love of gardening keeps her fit and young-at-heart! 

On Wednesday morning in the sunshine, Shirley was at home preparing buckets of flowers and greenery to create bespoke bunches of blooms for Mother’s Day. 

Fundraiser

An active contributor to the Wycheproof Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, Shirley works alongside other volunteers to host an annual “Mother’s Day Flower Sale”, this year occurring on Friday morning at the forefront of Peter Dillon’s Killarney Nursery on Broadway. There is always a queue, and anyone interested in purchasing is encouraged to arrive early. The fundraiser for a very significant community cause is a well-supported occasion.

When pressed for exactly how many years the fundraising initiative has been going, Shirley replied “…oh it’s been quite a while, and there have always been so many good helpers. It’s incredible to think all the flowers, paper, ribbon, rubber bands and other bits and pieces are donated. These flowers are all local. We have some very good gardeners around.” 

The Wycheproof Hospital Ladies Auxiliary has been a long-term supporter of the East Wimmera Health Service. The volunteers extend a very Happy Mother’s Day to all those across Buloke and beyond.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 12 May 2023.