Members of the Narrandera District Garden Club marked 40 years of ‘Friendship through Gardening’ with a celebratory lunch at the Ex-servicemen’s Club last weekend.
Special guests were President of the Garden Clubs of Australia George Hoad and Riverina Zone Director Velia O’Hare.
Celebrating with the Narrandera Club were members of Finley, Coleambally, Griffith, Leeton and Ardlethan Garden Clubs along with members of Camellias Australia from Helensburgh and Hume Camellia Society at Albury.
Narrandera Can Assist, Soroptimists and Inner Wheel members who work with the club on the annual Camellia Show and Open Garden Day and Narrandera Shire Council representatives also joined in the celebration.
A birthday cake was cut by Joan McLay, Narrandera’s longest continuous member going back around 35 years. After lunch the National President George Hoad presented Betty Bradney with a GCA Ann Williams Clark Award for outstanding service to gardening.
He then gave an overview of the role of the Garden Clubs of Australia followed by a presentation of ‘Inspirational Gardens’ featuring gardens in Europe and the UK including those of his own garden in the Manning Valley.
A singalong led by George rounded out a very enjoyable celebration. Narrandera President Pat Hayllar presented George with a basket of produce from around the area.
Prior to lunch the National President visited the Narrandera Public School student veggie Patch and met with the Principal Sue Ruffles and teachers. Mr Hoad has a particular interest in promoting student gardening especially in connection with the National Gardening Week coming up next October.
He was also taken to view the avenues of trees planted at the Narrandera High School with funds from GCA when the Narrandera Club hosted the 1997 National Garden Convention.
From a modest beginning in 1978 the Narrandera District Garden Club now has a membership of 50 garden enthusiasts with a commitment to fostering gardening.
New members are very welcome. Monthly meetings are held in gardens and funds raised from the annual Camellia Show and Open Garden Day go to help with the work of the local Can Assist.
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