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A message from Gwen...

16/9/2023

 
Friday 15 September

Just a reminder to let me know if you are attending our outing on 28th September to Sophie Arendt’s Beautiful Garden.

Sophie has offered to supply morning tea so I need to know numbers, m/ tea and lunch.
 
What a beautiful day we are having!
 
Cheers

Gwen
0438 627 010

Coming up - Sophie Arendt's garden and Sandra's Nursery...

26/8/2023

 
​On September 28th we are meeting at the U3A car park at 9.30am then going to  Sophie  Arendt's  beautiful  garden  in Hagenauer Lane, off Witt St in Benalla. Sophie  has offered  to supply morning tea, after which we will go to Sandra's Nursery in Witt St.  Lunch will be at the Benalla Golf Club.  Please let me know if you will be attending.

I am  writing  this from Caloundra on the  Sunshine Coast.  The beautiful street tree in the photos below is called 
Bauhinid.
​Cheers!

Gwen  
0438627010

June - Violet Town's Southern Memorial Mural Garden

26/6/2023

 
Our trip to Violet Town proved to be a lovely way to spend a cold day, The Southern Aurora Memorial Mural Garden & Jackson's Produce Store & Cafe were well worth a visit, the food & coffee at the cafe great.  27 of us walked around the shops after lunch, with a number definitely contributing to the economy of  Violet Town! 
​
There will be no Garden Appreciation sessions in July and August due to family commitments. Our next outing will be on Thursday 28th September
2023. 

Stay warm and safe!


Gwen Turner

June visit update - Later start 10:30 am; lunch venue change

12/6/2023

 
Our next meeting is on Thursday 22nd June.  We will meet at U3A car park.at 10.30.
Please note the later start time.

We are off to Violet Town, visiting the Garden at the Library as well as the Southern Aurora Memorial Garden by Benalla’s Tim Bowtell.

Lunch is now to be at Jackson’s Produce Store & Café 20 Cowslip Street.  This is a family run business with home cooked meals.
 
If you would like to meet for a coffee at 9.45 some of us will be at R/R.


​Gwen Turner

May - 'Two Town Gardens'

28/5/2023

 
On May 25th we visited ‘Two Town Gardens’ in Benalla.  The first was the garden of Corrie Witlox.  Corrie has many unusual plants in her garden, including an Orange Rhododendron     Beautiful!

​After morning tea, we visited the gardens of Glenice and Bill Broderick in Grant Drive . Large trees and garden beds.  Wonderful!  Their home is on the market - we wish them well in their new home.
Lunch at the Benalla Golf Club concluded a great outing on a beautiful late autumn day with nice people.

On June 22nd we are heading to Violet Town, visiting the garden at the Library and the Southern Aurora Memorial Garden Mural by Benalla’s Tim Bowtell.   Lunch will be at the Violet Town Hotel (formerly the Ellen Frances Hotel).  I will send an email with meeting times beforehand.   If you are interested in attending, please contact me on  gwenturner343@gmail.com or 0438627010.
 

To those who are off on your winter holiday, have an enjoyable time; to those of you who are unwell, take care and get well soon!


​Gwen Turner

Updated details for Thursday 25 May - 'Two Town Gardens'

17/5/2023

 
The details of our Thursday 25 May visit to ‘Two Town Gardens’ have now been finalized.

​Meet at the U3A car park at 9:30am.

The first garden we will visit and morning tea will be at the home of Corrie Witlox, 3 Ibis Court, Benalla.  Corrie has a lovely garden and collection of Bonsai.  Please bring a small plate to share.  Milk, tea, coffee, hot water will be supplied. 

We will then visit the large garden of Glenice and Bill Broderick, 71 Grant Drive, Benalla -  it's a beautiful garden set back off the road.   

Lunch will be at the Benalla Golf Club.  Please let me know if you are planning to attend for hospitality purposes.  If you have already put your name down, that's OK. 

Phone 0438 627 010 or email 
gwenturner243@gmail.com.

​Gwen

April, 'Great Stupa Peace Gardens'; in May, 'Two Town Gardens'

29/4/2023

 
The April Garden Appreciation outing was a bus trip to Bendigo to visit the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.  On arrival at the Visitors' Centre, we were informed that a power outage meant morning tea by candlelight and no coffee!  On a brighter note, the light drizzle cleared in time for a stroll around the extensive Peace Gardens, photographing its many and varied sculptures representing different religions.  Inside the amazing Stupa itself, we received detailed information on Buddhism tenets and the history behind the erection of the Stupa, built with generous donations as well as a Govt. grant. The interior and exterior decorations are a work in progress.  
​After lunching at Bendigo R.S.L., Gwen allocated time to visit Bendigo Pottery on the way home.  Thank you, Gwen Turner and Bendigo Bus Lines for an interesting day out.
​

Bev Thornell
Coming up on Thursday 25 May –‘Two Town Gardens’.  Meet at the U3A Car Park at 9.30am.  The first garden we will visit is at the home of Glenice and Bill Broderick, 71 Grant Drive, Benalla - a beautiful garden set back off the road.  The second garden and morning tea is yet to be arranged.  Lunch will be at the Benalla Golf Club.  Please let me know if you are planning to attend for hospitality purposes - 0438 627 010 or email gwenturner243@gmail.com.

‘Lost & Found’ - Left at my place at the February ‘Small Gardens’ visit -  1 white dinner  plate. Contact me on the number above and I will get back to you.
 

Cheers!  

Gwen Turner

March -   Concepts Garden Art Work,  Mansfield

30/3/2023

 
A day trip to Mansfield saw our group visit Concepts Garden Art Work with quite a few interesting `garden’ pieces making their way to cars, we then visited the town garden of Helen Hookey where we were in awe of the stone work landscaped into a beautiful garden with a view to surrounding hills and Mt. Battery.  Just as the rain arrived we headed for lunch at the Delatite Hotel and as the rain stopped a browse through the shops in Mansfield completed a very sociable and enjoyable day.
​We are headed by bus to Bendigo on April 27th.  The cost of $68 covers travel, entry to The Great Stupa Gardens peace park, morning tea and a 2 course lunch at the Bendigo R.S.L.   Please let Gwen know if you have any dietary requirements.  It will be necessary to book and pay by the end of March or early April.  Please ring Gwen’s Mobile 0438627010 if you are intending to come.  Payment can be left at the Redb4 Bookshop with your name on the envelope.  Don’t miss this great trip.

Gwen Turner, Geraldine McCorkell and Corrie Witlox

Bus Trip to Great Stupa Gardens, Bendigo Thursday 27 April

16/3/2023

 
Picture
Great Stupa Gardens Bus Trip - Download Flier

February - Trinity Close, St Joseph's Village and Lin's garden

28/2/2023

 
Our first meeting of the year was a lovely day, meeting our new members and welcoming back 2022 members. Morning tea and Gwen's beautiful garden and fernery at the back of her Trinity Close unit were enjoyed by all.  Thank you, Lin Ryan, your Garden is lovely with a number of rare plants.    Our walk through St Joseph's Village was very pleasant, it was interesting to see all different court yards.   Thank you, Shirley Kearney for arranging the visit.

March 23rd - Mansfield.
Meet at U3A carpark at 9.30am.    BYO Morning tea.    We are going to Mansfield to visit Concepts Garden Art Work, Crosby Lane, Mansfield and the lovely town garden of Helen Hookey.   This will be followed by lunch at Delatite Hotel, Mansfield.   Following lunch, you may like to visit the Mansfield Nursery. 

April 27th - Bus Trip to Bendigo
Meet at Rose Garden, Benalla Royal Hotel, no later than 8.00am, to board the bus to visit The Great Stupa Gardens (12) peace park, and wander in this unique space. Accessibility: A Buggy is available if required for people with mobility issues.

The cost of the tour is $68 which includes travel, entry, morning tea with cakes and slices, a 2 Course Lunch (main and sweets), at the Bendigo R.S.L.  Drinks at own cost. The $68 is to be paid by the end of March or early April.   Please let me know if you have any Dietary requirements.  

If you are attending any of our outings, Gwen needs to know numbers for the bus and catering. Contact Gwen on her Mobile 0438627010 or her email gwenturner243@gmail.com if you are planning to attend.

Gwen Turner

Coming up - Holy Trinity Close, 31 Crofton St & St Joseph's Village

29/1/2023

 
A warm welcome to our members new and old. 

On February 23rd we will meet at the U3A car park 9.30am to car pool to go to the first garden which is at my place, 2/67 Arundel Street, Holy Trinity Close.
Picture
Gwen's beautiful garden, Holy Trinity Close, Arundel Street
After morning tea and a walk around the garden we will visit the garden of Lin Ryan at 31 Crofton Street; then visit St. Joseph’s Village, Bridge Street, Benalla West, for a walk through some of the court-yard gardens open to us, including the court-yard garden of Shirley and Dan Kearney.   

Morning tea will be at my place.   Please bring small plate to share - tea, coffee, milk and hot water will be available. Please bring your own cups.   

Lunch will be at the 
Royal Hotel Benalla.

On March 23rd we will visit Concepts Garden Works (CAOS), Crosby Lane, Mansfield. Lunch will be at the Delatite Hotel, Mansfield followed by a visit to Mansfield Nursery.  Morning tea details later.   

Please let me know if you are attending the February outing as I need numbers for hospitality, etc.  Phone or text me on 0438 627 010 or email me at gwenturner243@gmail.com.   

Looking forward to seeing you all.
​


Gwen Turner

Celebrating a wonderful year of garden visits!

26/11/2022

 
​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

Coming up in November - lunch & speaker at Mokoan Hub Cafe

30/10/2022

 
Picture
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

October's excursion to Mansfield adjourned to 2023

22/10/2022

 
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 - 'The Falls Garden, Longwood'

1/10/2022

 
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.
​
Gwen Turner – 0438 627 010
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    About the Garden Appreciation Group

    We meet once a month to visit gardens in our area and sometimes further afield.  Gardens range from private gardens to Botanic Gardens such as Melbourne and Albury.  We have also visited Ripponlea, the Victorian Rose Garden at Werribee Park and other special gardens.

    Meeting Times

    4th Thursday.  All day (approx 9.30 - 3.00). Meet at the Seniors Car Park at 9.30 unless otherwise advised by Gwen - check Newsletter for further details.

    Convenor and contact Details

    Picture
    Gwen Turner 0438 627 010

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