After the wintery “wash-out” of the 2022 Garden Walk, the Nhill Lions Club members were ever hopeful for a fine sunny day this year for their Annual Garden Walk. Their wishes were certainly granted as the sunshine and magnificent blue skies greeted everyone from early morning, last Sunday, right throughout the day.
This year, the Lions had decided to add something extra to the day by offering a free bus tour of all the “farm gardens” in the community bus.
Lion Ian Meek was kept busy all day as many folk availed themselves of this innovative treat. Due to the spread of the farm gardens on show and travel time, the bus was only able to make two trips [the first tour leaving at about 10am and the second just after lunch – approximately 1:30pm]. There is no doubt that this creative initiative will continue next year as well as into the future. People returning to the Lion’s Den for their Devonshire tea were appreciative of the service and praised the beauty of every garden.
This year many folk had taken advantage of the remarkable weather and travelled from several surrounding towns. Dressed for the occasion and enjoying a day out with friends they came from Kaniva, Goroke, Jeparit, as well as other outlying areas.
Rupanyup Garden Centre was once again in attendance, set up on the western end of the car park they were in a great position to attract not only Garden Walk ticket holders but passing traffic as well. The owners of the Garden Centre generously donated two fantastic plants for lucky tickets during the day which the recipients were thrilled to receive.
Lions Club Garden Walk Co-ordinator, Rhonda Farmers, had also organised a lucky number board with prizes of various sized pottery donated from Nhill’s very talented Peter Colbert collection. Winners of this creative initiative were: Rodney, Lesley, Corralie, Matilda, Marie, Dave, Julie and Sherin.
Other Lucky Tickets were won by Neriley Carew [$50 Fuel Voucher], Jan Cole and Rosemary Carter from Goroke won the $25 Fuel Vouchers.
The Nhill Lions were kept running all day serving up delicious scones, jam and cream or savoury fare with cups of tea and coffee. Lion Phyllis Pye and her hard-working team are to be congratulated on the excellence of their service. There would definitely be some very tired feet that night.
Ruby Phyllis and Rhonda, Janet Hausler & Rosemary Carter from Goroke, The Voight family.
Photos: Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times
Nhill Lions President Wayno Myers was full of thanks to everyone who made the day a huge success…. “As per usual, the community has supported our endeavours. We are extremely grateful to all those who opened their gardens for viewing this year, to the many people who donated scones, to Rupanyup Garden Centre, to Peter Colbert for his fantastic pottery, to Lowana and Jennifer Meek’s shop for selling Garden Walk tickets prior to today, the Nhill Free Press for supporting and featuring the Garden Walk over the past few weeks, to anyone who helped in any way and most especially to all those people who attended this year. People can be assured that all profits raised will be given to Lions Childhood Cancer Research. At this early stage, it looks like it is a considerable amount–this will be published in the Nhill Free Press.”
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 1 November 2023.
