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Tough for gardens



By Kath Gannaway
IT’S BEEN a tough summer for firefighters and gardeners.
Gruyere CFA captain Matt Sartori and first lieutenant Andrea Bigham would rather forget the summer and Coldstream neighbours, Paulette and Warwick Bisley are equally disenchanted with the long, hot, dry which has tested the resilience of their magnificent garden.
The 2.5 acre garden at Ridgefield has raised thousands of dollars for the brigade as part of Australia’s Open Garden Scheme in recent years and, despite the drought, it will open again this coming weekend.
The Bisley’s hard work to keep the garden looking its best has certainly paid off. The garden looks magnificent.
Courtyards and colonnaded terraces, rose-covered pergolas, brilliant dahlias, penstemons, lavenders, roses and exotic trees which are glowing with autumn colour, are just some of the features of the garden.
Drought-tolerant plants such as succulents, echiums and salvias also feature.
The pavilion, with its magnificent views to the mountains, will become a cafe for the day with Gruyere’s CFA volunteers turning their hand to delicious Devonshire teas and sausage sizzling.
A display of classic vehicles including Ferraris, Morgans, Lotus and Porches, is an added attraction.
Mr Sartori said the open garden provided the brigade with a rare opportunity to raise funds.
“I can’t say how valuable this fund raiser is to us,” Mr Sartori said. “We don’t have a town centre to draw from which makes fund raising a real challenge so Paulette and Warwick’s generosity and hard work is really appreciated.”
The brigade is raising money to replace its truck.
Ridgefield at 58 Boundary Road, Coldstream, will be open from 10am to 4.30pm on 28 and 29 April. Entry is $6 and children are free.

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