​We visited many beautiful gardens, large and small, met lovely people and had great time.   Our last outing was to Winton Wetlands café.  The presentation, given by Rine Cooper, was very interesting.   The presentation was followed by lunch and lots of chatting.   

​We miss Ruth & Alan Marquand and Marilyn Fry who are now unable to attend through illness.  To all who are unwell or are caring for ones they love in recovery, you are in our thoughts. 

We look forward to seeing you all next year.    

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!  Stay safe 🥂🍾🎉🌲
​
Gwen Turner

Gwen Turner

The next Garden Appreciation activity will take place on November 24th.    Please meet at U3A Carpark at 11.15am to travel to Mokoan Hub Cafe (Winton Wetlands) for lunch and a presentation on the History of Wetlands Bird Life and Flora. 
  
Please let me know as soon as possible if you are attending this event and if you have any dietary requirements.
 
Thank you for your get well   wishes.  I had Covid and now I have a virus.   I should be OK soon.   A speedy recovery to all the other people who are unwell. 

Gwen

 
Contact Gwen on 0438 627 010 or Email gwenturner243@gmail.com

Garden Appreciation's planned excursion to Caos Concepts and the Snow Gum Nursery in Mansfield on Thursday 27th October ​has been adjourned to 2023 as Gwen is quite unwell.  There have also been quite a number of cancellations.​ Please pass this message on to anyone who may not have an email.

Gwen

September’s bus trip to the Falls in Longwood - what a Fantastic Garden!   We were greeted by Marcel and her Garden team and invited to a lovely morning tea baked by team.  A tour of the Gardens was then undertaken by 55 U3A members, who all had a wonderful day.   Lunch at Seven Creek’s Hotel in Euroa was delicious and Benalla Bus driver Mick just great.

​Thursday October 27 - Caos Concepts in Mansfield

Meet at U3A Carpark at 9.30am to travel to Caos Concepts in Mansfield.   A Steel Garden Art Works, it is located in Crosby’s Lane, Mansfield.   Lunch will be at the Delatite Hotel in Mansfield.  We will also visit Snow Gum Nursery at 120 High Street, Mansfield.
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Gwen Turner – 0438 627 010

A packed bus left Benalla at 9am on Thursday 22 September for U3A Garden Appreciation's trip to THE FALLS Garden at Longwood, via Euroa. What a wonderful setting it enjoys, nestled in a sheltered dip, surrounded by those Granitic Strathbogie Hills.

First developed by the Cameron Family in the 60's, it was bought by the Ball Family in early 2000's. They contracted Landscape Designer Robert Boyle to create the 12-acre Oasis, to complement the existing small Vineyard, comprising the main Lake with Fountain and Pavilion, several little ponds, more fountains, Vegetable Garden, magnificent stonework walls and and bridges, Ornamental Trees, including mature Cork Oaks, and the lovely natural Waterfalls to one side, opposite the main house, trickling down the rocky slope. Four natural springs and Nine Mile Creek feed water into the property, keeping it well watered all year round.

Our group, on arrival, was treated to morning tea in the Lake Pavilion, then sent off to explore the gravel paths, each leading to a "Room". In one Room, Pan the Piper is a "Sitting Duck" for local birds to rest!

After a long ramble, we were bussed to Euroa's Seven Creeks Hotel, which was packed with holiday diners, hence the affable staff were run off their feet! However, once our orders were taken, meals emerged promptly. The Bar Staff naturally did a roaring trade. Many thanks to our convenor Gwen Turner and also Corrie Witlox for your expert organisation, especially the warm weather, and thanks also to Matt from Benalla Bus Lines for driving us safely, even when we had a long wait to turn right onto the busy Hume (with the help of 40+ backseat drivers).
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*N.B.The Falls Open Garden is on the weekend of 19/20 November. $12 entry.

September 22nd:  Meet at 9am at the Rose Garden near the Royal Hotel for our Bus trip to The Falls, Longwood.  The Falls Garden is based at the foot of a unique natural waterfall fed by the Nine Mile Creek.    Centred around a majestic lake and pavilion, the 12-acre garden features expansive laws with large native and a vast selection of ornamental deciduous trees.    Cost of bus, entry and morning tea is $37.00.    Lunch will be at the Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa, at own cost.   Bookings, phone Gwen Turner on 0438 627 010 or email gwenturner243@gmail.com    Payment is due in the 1st week of September and can be left at the RedB4 Bookshop.     Please include your name on the envelope.

October 27th:   Meet at the U3A Carpark at 9.30am for a trip to Mansfield Concepts Garden Art Works (CAOS), Crosby’s Lane, Mansfield.  Lunch at the Delatite Hotel, Mansfield, followed by a visit to Mansfield Nursery.
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Gwen Turner

​This month’s activity was held in the U3A room in the Seniors building.   In a session on flower arranging titled 'From the Garden', Melissa Mounsey demonstrated all her wonderful Floral Art skills using various plants including succulents, small tree branches, various coloured leaves, parsley (yes, parsley), flowers and buds.   Melissa showed how to display all these plants to make the most of their individual lengths, colours and shapes.   

It was a worth-while activity which was followed by lunch at the Royal.

There will be no activity in August, however on Thursday 22 September Garden Appreciation will be going to ‘The Falls’ Garden’ at Longwood East.  

The Falls Garden is based at the foot of a unique natural waterfall fed by the Nine Mile Creek.    Centred around a majestic lake and pavilion, the 12 acre garden features expansive lawns with large native and a vast selection of ornamental deciduous trees.

The cost of bus, entry and morning tea is $37.00.    Lunch will be at the Seven Creeks Hotel, Euroa, at own cost.  

Bookings, phone Gwen Turner on 0438 627 010 or email gwenturner243@gmail.com    Payment due 1st week of September, and can be left at the RedB4 Bookshop.     Please include your name on the envelope.

On 4th October, Benalla U3A Garden Appreciation members have been invited to visit Wangaratta U3A for an enjoyable gathering and plant swap.    Further details in the September Newsletter.

​Gwen Turner 

What a wonderful outing we had in June, even though it was a rainy and cold day.    Firstly, we visited St. Matthew Anglican Church in Albury which was burnt down in November 1991 and has now been restored to its original beauty.   Apart for some small changes such as using pane glass (for extra light and better connection with the garden outside) instead of stained-glass windows it was a really pleasant experience.

We then paid a visit to Adamshurst Mansion and Gardens in Albury.   What a hidden gem.    Not only the building and gardens, but also the owners of the property, St Matthew’s Father Peter and his mother Sandra MacLeod-Miller.   Following a variety of activities in its life such as Albury High School Girls’ Hostel, a restaurant and function centre, in 1944 it was taken over by the Airforce, a Rehabilitation and Day Care Centre in 1978, the home is once again a residence and now also a concert venue.    The restoration of the gardens has begun, with plantings of crepe myrtle (Indian Lilacs-sometimes called the Pride of India), pryus callryana, magnolias, Wollemia Pine, Bunya Bunya Pine, and other plantings referencing Indian and colonial influences.

Then we entered the house for morning tea and were treated to a ‘history’ lesson of the house by Father Peter and his mother.    This dissertation was highlighted with humor and a light-hearted history lesson.   Since taking possession of the property, Father Peter has had the house renovated back to its original Indian period and furnished with the same influences.    The Ballroom contains a pipe organ from Yorkshire and has hosted some of Australia’s greatest musical talents, including Greta Bradman, Sally-Anne Russell, instrumental soloists and ensembles, organists and pianists.
 
The Library, which has marble flooring and Florentine Blue glass leadlight windows, has recently become home to two harpsicords.   We were very lucky to be able to take time to look through the rooms in the house. There was so much to see, memorabilia of Albury’s musical and cultural past.    Adamshurst as an artistic social and cultural hub has also held musical receptions for the now Governor General, his excellency General David Hurley and Mrs Hurley.  

A new grand piano was installed for a recent concert by an up and coming young Australian pianist, and we were treated to a couple of tunes by Father Peter.    We were also treated to some music by one of the visitors on the day, thank you, Judy.

Lunch was taken at Borella Café, followed by some therapy shopping at Peard’s Nursery.

Thank you so much, Gwen, for researching and organising this wonderful outing to Albury.  It was greatly appreciated, as is the work you put into making all the outings for the Garden Appreciation Group so interesting and informative.  

Heather Wallace


Coming up: 

July 28th Floral Arrangement ‘From The Garden’ By Melissa Mounsey.    If you have anything in the garden that Melissa could use, bring it along, it will be most welcome.  We will meet in U3A Room at 9 .45am.  Please bring a small plate of morning tea to share.   Tea and Coffee available for you, lunch at Royal Hotel

As August will be Garden Appreciation’s winter break there will no activities during that month.

On September 22nd there will be a bus trip to ‘The Falls’ in Longwood East, a stunning garden blooming in between a lake and a Waterfall.    If you find walking around difficult, there is a lovely spot to sit.   Lunch, at own cost, will be at Seven Creeks Hotel Euroa after we have been to the falls.  The cost for the Bus, Entry to The Falls garden and Morning tea is $37.00 per person.  Bookings for Bus Trip - either phone or email me - 0438627010, email gwenturner243@gmail.com.    Money to be in by the first week in September.  I will be away from 30 July to 28th August, however, money can be left at the RedB4 Bookshop next to Hide’s Bakery in Bridge Street.  Please put your name on the envelope.
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Gwen Turner

On Thursday 23rd June we will visit St Matthews Church and Garden in Kiewa Street, Albury followed by a visit to Father Peter ‘s private home and garden for BYO morning tea in the ballroom followed by viewing of the garden.   Lunch will be at the Borella Cafe, Pearce Nursery, Borella Road, Albury.

The bus will leave from the Royal Hotel end of the Gardens at 8.30am.  The cost is $22 per person.   

Please ring me on 0438 627 010 if you would like to attend.  Payment of money can be left at the RedB4 Bookshop next to Hide’s Bakery.  Please put your name on envelope and garden application.   

This trip is open to members of U3A to ensure that we have a full bus for the trip.  However, please do not just turn up on the day expecting to join the trip if you have not booked prior.  If you wish to attend, ring or text me 0438 627 010, or email me on gwenturner243@gmail.com


Gwen Turner

On May 26th we visited two town gardens.

Morning tea was delicious - thank you Dawn and friends.  A lovely garden with a wombat or two and lots of fun beautiful things
.
Then we went to Arlene's garden with large camellias, trees and shrubs.   Arlene’s garden had many memories for some of us, following a visit many years ago.
  
This garden visit was followed by lunch at Golf Club.
 
It was such a great day out!

Gwen Turner

Although umbrellas were needed at times, a delightful day was spent with Indigo U3A garden appreciation group members in Beechworth on Thursday 28 April.  From a convivial morning tea at the George Kerferd Café, we strolled through the gardens of the former psychiatric hospital then proceeded to the Community Gardens (pictured below), followed by a long lunch at the Hibernian Hotel.   We also we drove through the old May Day Hills precinct and admired the beautiful autumn colours of the trees all over town. ​

Special thanks go to Indigo U3A’s Kathie Higgins for her role in planning such a successful activity, and to Rosemary Ryan and other garden loving members of Indigo U3A for their company on the day. 

Thursday 26th May - Two town gardens in Benalla.   We have been invited to visit Arlene Van DerMerwe’s Garden at 67 Sydney Rd, Benalla.  Arlene’s Garden has been a show garden in its day, with large Camellias, Azaleas, trees and bulbs - now it's a work in progress with Arlene putting her stamp on it.   Arlene and her husband only purchased their home a year ago.   Hopefully we can help with names of plants.    Next, we will visit the garden of Dawn Shaw at 16 Bond Street, Benalla - a lovely garden with many different plants.   Please bring own morning tea.    Lunch will be at Benalla Golf Club.

Thursday 23rd June - Albury Bus Trip.   Meet at Benalla Rose Garden, Royal Hotel end at 8.30am.   We will visit St. Matthews church in Kiewa Street, Albury then to the private home and garden of Father Peter, for our morning tea in the Ballroom and then to view garden.    Lunch will be at Borella Café,  Pearce Nursery, Borella Road, Albury.     Cost Bus and Donation to Church is $22.00 per person, with money to be paid at our May outing. or by arrangement.     Hope you all had a lovely Easter!

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Gwen Turner

What a wonderful day we had on 24th March.  The weather was  beautiful for our visit to Shepparton’s Botanical Gardens, which feature Australian Native plants set amongst themed Gardens and bushland. 

We then went on to Billabong Gardens and the Ruby Saltbush Café, a Social Enterprise for work experience and supported employees who help grow plants.   Anthony Putt welcomed us, then gave a very interesting talk on the Complex.   
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On April 28th we will meet at U3A car park at 9.30am to travel to   Beechworth, where we will join the Beechworth U3A Group at The George Kerferd Cafe for morning tea (own cost).  After morning tea, we will drive or walk through the grounds-- hopefully the trees will be in colour! 

We’ll then head back into town to visit Beechworth’s Community Garden. Lunch will be at the Hibernian Hotel, again at own cost.   

​I will need to know if you are attending.   Please ring, email or text me at 0438 627 010. 

Gwen Turner
​March 24 2022

Our first outing for 2022 was fantastic.   Firstly, Sophie’s garden and morning tea, followed by Kerri’s garden and lunch - both amazing.    Thank you and your helpers - what a great day! Our money donation to Palliative care was $ 308.30.  

Welcome to our new members! 
  
We will be visiting two beautiful gardens on Thursday 24 February, meeting at the U3A car park at 9.30 am to carpool.   We’ll first visit Sophie Arendt’s garden, Hagenauer Lane, Benalla.  Sophie has offered to supply morning tea.  We’ll then move off to Kerri Straughen’s Farm Garden at 368 Benalla-Yarrawonga Road (Diane’s Retreat) Benalla, to be followed by a Barbecue Luncheon, the cost a donation to Palliative Care, Benalla.    Our grateful thanks to both Sophie and Kerri. 
   
l need to know if you are attending for Catering numbers as well as being able to cater for any Dietary requirements.  Please ring me on 0438 627 010, or Email me at gwenturner243@gmail.com. 
 
Our next activity will be on Thursday 24 March when we’ll visit Billabong Nursery, Shepparton.  Put this in your diaries - more information will be included in the next newsletter.

​Gwen Turner