Feast tempts gardeners

By Tania Martin
The Gardenfest promises to be a spectacular display of colour when five gardens – three in the country, two in town – open their gates to the public.
The organisers, Joyce and Laurie Begg, said Gembrook’s quality soils mean many of the cool-climate plantings will provide a rich display.
“We have gardens in Gembrook that rival anywhere else in Victoria.
“The Open Gardenfest will be showcasing the beautiful area we live in and the environment which generates such magnificent gardens,” Mr Begg said.
The country gardens taking part are the award-winning 2.4-hectare Barrowhurst, owned by John and Joanne Torpy, a four-hectare garden in Blackwood Road owned by Sue Javis and Ian Bennett, and a Livio Drive garden owned by Keith and Glenys Livingston.
The town examples are Cherie Forrester’s garden in Station Road and Alan and Yvonne Bennett’s garden in Gembrook Park Road.
A display of Greg Garratt’s begonias at the Gembrook Fire Station will kick-start the day.
Visitors will also be able to buy their Gardenfest passes at the station. The pass costs $10 for adults, and provides access to all five gardens.
Mr Livingston, a volunteer fire fighter, said all the funds raised from the Open Gardenfest would go towards the Gembrook CFA to help replace a fire tanker.
The CFA has received funding from the State Government of $45,333 and some funding from the CFA towards the purchase, but needs to raise the balance.
For more details, contact Yvonne Bennett on 5968 1080.