Sonnets for sing gardens

PULL out the prose, write down some rhymes and bring on the ballads to enter this year’s C. J. Dennis Poetry Festival.
Toolangi’s Singing Gardens will host the bush poets of Australia past and present in the fourth year of the competition.
Australian poet C. J. Dennis and his wife Olive bought the property in 1915 and laid out the magnificent cool-climate garden where Dennis lived until his death in 1938.
The gardens provided a sanctuary away from the distractions of the city and it was at Arden that Dennis wrote his most famous books, including the iconic The Sentimental Bloke.
His last book published in 1935 and titled The Singing Gardens inspired Vic and Jan Williams to resurrect the gardens after years of neglect, and build tea rooms and a restaurant on the site of the old garage and cottage.
Jan and Vic have owned Arden for more than 40 years now, and enjoy sharing the gardens and Jan’s homemade cooking with visitors from far and wide.
Mother’s Day is the ideal day to experience The Singing Gardens Tea Rooms.
The gardens are bursting with autumn colour and the atmosphere is ideal for a relaxed family day.
For older families there is the opportunity to just sit, enjoy and chat over a wine, coffee or tea.
If children are part of the party, there are great expanses of lawn and secret gardens to explore.
Jan’s scrumptious, homemade meals, particularly her renowned Devonshire teas, have brought their own fame to Arden and are well worth the drive to beautiful Toolangi.
Special Mother’s Day meals will be on offer with two courses plus drinks and a slice of cake for mothers costing $30 a head.
For bookings or further information phone 5962 9282.
Arden is open from Thursday to Monday at 1694 Main Road, Toolangi.
It is closed during August, Christmas Day and Good Friday. The restaurant is BYO and cash only.
To download the rules and entry forms for this year’s C. J. Dennis poetry competition, log on to www.toolangi.net, which includes categories and prizes for children, youth and adults.