​Lunch at the Nagambie Rowing Club was delightful and thoroughly enjoyed by all, with the beautiful statue of Black Caviar on the lake a feature.  

Gwen Turner 

A big welcome to our new group members Cathie and Doc Hair, John Lindsay and Anna Lynch!​

Our recent outing to Mansfield was a wonderful day. We began at Caro’s Concepts, where we admired the steel artwork by Chris Jones—some of which will be coming back to Benalla for our gardens. Next, we visited Tris Thomson’s lovely large garden, filled with beautiful trees and plantings. ​

We then stopped at Snowgum Nursery, where many of us enjoyed more plant shopping! By then, we were ready for a delicious lunch at the Delatite Hotel. Afterward, there was still time for some shopping in Mansfield’s main street.

On Thursday, October 23rd we will be meeting at the U3A Car Park at 9:30 am and visiting Nagambie.   Please bring your own morning tea to enjoy near the Black Caviar statue on the lake. There are beautiful gardens all around the lake.  From there we’ll continue on to Nagambie Ferns Nursery in High Street. Lunch will follow at the Nagambie Rowing Club, right on the lake.

If you would like to join us for the Nagambie outing, please let me know by email at [email protected] or text/call 0438 627 010.

Please note: The November meeting will now be held on 4th December.

Gwen Turner

Shirl and I had a lovely five weeks in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

Our next outing will be on Thursday 25th September to Mansfield, meeting at the U3A car park at 9:30 am.

We’ll visit Snowgum Nursery, Caos Concepts Artwork, and a private garden.

Please bring a small plate to share for morning tea.  Lunch will be at the Delatite Hotel, Mansfield.

If you're interested, please let me know - [email protected] 0438 627 010


Gwen Turner

We are now taking a break for winter. See you all in the spring!

To our members who have been unwell, we hope you are feeling better.

Take care and stay warm.

Gwen Turner

​On June 26, we had a lovely time at our Swap Table morning at the old Court House  — with lots of chatting! It was a very cold morning, so it was great to be in the warm hall enjoying a hot cuppa and some delicious cakes. Plant cuttings found new homes, and some were kindly donated to the Holy Trinity Op Shop.

A big thank you to Shirley and Geraldine for taking everyone around my garden. Afterwards, we headed to the Bowls Club for lunch.
​
Next Gathering:
Lunch Only – Wednesday, July 24

At the Golf Club, 12 noon.
Note: There will be a winter break in August.
Please text or email me if you’re coming to the July lunch:
📱 0438 627 010
📧 [email protected]

Stay warm!

Gwen

Email from Dean Steegstra, BRCC 25th May 2025 Message to U3A Benalla Garden Appreciation Group Information for meeting at the Old Court House, Anglican Church, Arundel Street on Thursday 26th June. "Sorry I can’t make the meeting. You might like to read this quick summary of what we do"...

Our forthcoming programs include annual rose pruning in the Benalla gardens and Bridge St medium strip Lomandra pruning.

Benalla Rural City Council (Council) provides an array of asset maintenance over 8 Townships. These townships are Benalla, Thoona, Winton, Tatong, Baddaginnie, Goorambat, and Devenish.

The Asset & Infrastructure Department Open Spaces team are responsible for the maintenance of over 170 hectares of parks, reserves and open spaces including the Benalla Botanical Gardens, Lake Benalla, Riverine parklands, Playgrounds, Roadside verges and Urban landscapes. Roadside verges or nature strips include the 11,500 recorded street trees assets.

Other specific services provided are:- Committee of Managements – Sport & Recreation; Streetscapes including Town entrances, medium strip and roundabouts, pergolas, streetlights, seats, bins; Lake Benalla including, fish ladder, noxious weed treatment (Cabomba) and Mokoan Biolink Channel.

Council staff delivers majority of its Parks and Gardens services in-house, although some are outsourced to contractors, depending on the type of maintenance work. Contracted works include Powerline clearance, Elm leaf treatment, Roadside slashing, Roadside spraying.

The Open Space team comprises of 7 full time staff including the Coordinator Open Spaces, 2x Botanical Gardens Officers, 2x Parks and Gardens Officer, 1x Mower Operator and 1 x Maintenance Officer.

Staff qualifications include Business Management, Arboriculture and Horticulture.

Programmed works and reactive maintenance activities ensure Council assets remain in a condition where they are safe, functional, and fit for community purpose, until such time when they are renewed/replaced, upgraded, or decommissioned.

If you have any concerns or service requests, please contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on 0357 602 600

"Regards Dean Steegstra - Coordinator Open Space Benalla Rural City Council"


Thank you, Dean.

On 26th June we will meet at the old Court House, 67Arundel Street Benalla.
 
We will have a Swap Table, so bring cutting, plants, pots, plant books, etc.  If you don't have anything to swap, just come along for a chat and  a cuppa.
 
Please bring a gold coin donation towards the use of the Hall and a small plate to share for Morning tea.  Tea, coffee, milk and hot water will be available.
 
We have a guest speaker Dean Steegstra.  Dean is the Manager of  Parks, Rose Gardens, Street Trees at Benalla Rural City Council.
 
Before we go to lunch you are welcome to have a walk around my garden and also the 2nd Chance Op Shop.
 
Lunch at the Benalla Bowls Club, Arundel St.
 
Interested in attending? Please email or text me - [email protected] or 0438 627 010.
​
 
Gwen

On Thursday 27th May, twenty-seven members of Garden Appreciation travelled to Shepparton Nursery in Archer Street, then on to Riverside Nursery on Melbourne Road.  Many of us came home with more plants—after saying we weren’t going to buy any. Famous last words! We were lucky to get a lovely drop of rain too.

Lunch at the Pepper Mill Hotel was lovely.  It was a fun day all around.

Next Meeting – June 26th

Meet at the Old Court House, 67 Arundel Street, Benalla at 10am.

We’re having a Swap Table—bring cuttings, plants, pots, plant books, etc.   If you don’t have anything to swap, just come along for a chat and a cuppa!  

Please bring a gold coin donation towards the use of the hall and a small plate to share for morning tea. Tea, coffee, milk, and hot water will be provided.

Lunch will be at the Benalla Bowling Club in Arundel Street. 

Interested in attending?   Please email or text me:  [email protected] 0438 627 010

Happy gardening! 

Gwen

​On 24th April, we enjoyed a lovely morning tea at Sandra’s Nursery — great coffee! Thank you to Sandra and Clive. We also had a wonderful tour of the Benalla Race Club and a lovely lunch at the Golf Club.

Our next outing will be on 22nd May. We will meet at the U3A car park at 9:30am before heading off for a tour of Shepparton’s nurseries. We will begin at the New Echuca Shepparton Plant Farm, located at 535 Archer Street, Kialla. After visiting the nurseries, we will lunch together at the Pepper Mill Hotel.  Please text (0438 627 010) or email me ([email protected]) if you are interested in attending

Gwen Turner

On April 24th, we will meet at the U3A car park at 10 AM. Please note the new time, as we don’t have to travel far. Our first stop is Sandra's Nursery at 141 Witt St, Benalla, where a coffee van with tables and chairs is available. They receive new stock each week. Next, we will tour the Benalla Race Club Grounds and Track, followed by lunch at the Golf Club.

If you’re interested in attending the April outing, please contact me at [email protected] or 0438 627 010.

Gwen Turner

​What a lovely morning we had in late February at Lyn Tanner's Garden, with 53 attendees!

We enjoyed a beautiful morning tea in a peaceful garden setting, surrounded by stunning views over the lake and large, shady trees. It was so cool and relaxing—we could have stayed there all morning!

Next, we visited Tony Smith’s front garden, which featured beautiful trees and plants.

Our third stop was Kathie and Brian Wragg’s garden. This lovely, spacious garden had fantastic views of the lake, plenty of trees, and well-maintained garden beds.

A big thank you to all the Mitchell Street garden owners for sharing their beautiful spaces with us!

We wrapped up the day with an enjoyable lunch at the Royal Hotel, where the conversation continued. It was wonderful to meet our new members and welcome back familiar faces—a great way to start the year with happy company!

27th March – Bus Trip to Blue Lotus Water Gardens

Meet at Benalla Rose Garden (near the Royal Hotel, Benalla) at 7:45 AM.

Cost: $74 (includes bus travel, entry, lunch, tea, and coffee).

Our numbers are a bit low, so if you know anyone who may like to attend, please let me know. Payment is due before March 12th.

Money can be left at RedB4 Bookshop (next to Hide Bakery in Bridge Street). Please place it in an envelope marked "U3A Garden Appreciation" with your name and phone number.
​
Gwen Turner
​
0438 627 010 (Text) or
[email protected].

Welcome to our new and current members! I'm looking forward to seeing you at our first outing on 27th February.   Please meet at the U3A car park at 9:30 AM. We will be visiting three beautiful gardens on Mitchell Street, Benalla. Mitchell Street is a small street with lovely plane trees.

Our first garden is at 14 Mitchell Street (Lakeside), the home of Lyn Tanner. We will have morning tea there, so please bring a small plate to share.

The second garden is at Tony Smith’s. We will only be viewing the front garden, as the back is currently being renovated.

The third garden is at the home of Kathie and Brian Wragg (Lakeview), located at 8 Mitchell Street.

Afterward, we will have lunch at the Royal Hotel, Benalla.

On March 27th, we will have a bus trip to the Blue Lotus Water Gardens. The bus will leave Benalla at 7:45 AM from the Benalla Rose Garden, next to the Royal Hotel. The cost is $64 per person, which covers entry, lunch, and bus travel. Please make payment by the end of February, at our next meeting. Alternatively, you can pay at Red4 Book Shop next to Hide’s Bakery. Please leave the money in an envelope with your name and Garden Appreciation on the form.
​
It is very important to let me know if you are attending, as I need to confirm numbers. Please also inform me of any food allergies.

Gwen
0438 627 010
Email: [email protected]

Hard to believe this is our final newsletter for the year! What a great year it has been. We’ve visited fantastic nurseries and beautiful private gardens, both large and small.

Looking ahead to 2025, mark your calendars for March 27th, 2025—we have a bus trip planned to the Blue Lotus Water Garden in Yarra Junction. More information will be available in January.

I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Heather Wallace, Len Jeffree, Corrie Witlox, Geraldine McCorkell, and Bev Lee. Your help throughout the year has been invaluable.

To our Garden Appreciation members—you are such a lovely group and wonderful company.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Stay safe!

Gwen Turner

​On October 24th we visited Sable Park Garden, the beautiful garden of Les and Rosemary Bolitho. We had a lovely morning exploring five acres of gardens, including a pond lined with yellow irises, 700 roses, and various sculptures. After two hours in this enjoyable setting, we headed to the Pinsent Hotel for lunch and a chat.

On November 28th, we will meet at Benalla Rose Garden at 10:15 am for morning tea. Please bring a cup and a small plate to share. Hot water, tea, coffee, and milk will be provided. The Rose Garden is looking stunning, with vibrant roses in full bloom. Lunch will follow at the Royal Hotel Benalla. This will be our final meeting for the year, and I hope to see you there.   Happy gardening!

Gwen Turner  
​0438 627 010  [email protected]

This is just reminder about our outing on 26th September to Arthur & George’s private Garden 16 Steane Street Wangaratta and Parkland Nursery.
 
Lunch at R.S.L Wangaratta.
B.Y.O Morning Tea
 
Also, we have been invited to the Wangaratta U3A meeting at Wangaratta Race Club 10 am to 12 noon on 10th October.  They have a guest coming to display and sell Garden Art.
 
If you wish to attend either event please email text or phone me on 0438 627 010
[email protected]
 
Gwen

On Thursday 26 September we will visit the private garden of Arthur and George at 16 Steane Street. Wangaratta, followed by a visit to Park Lane Nursery, Wangaratta.  Meet at the U3A car park at 9.30.  BYO Morning as well as tea, coffee and milk.  Lunch will be at the Wangaratta R.S.L. 

I’m looking forward to our lovely Spring weather and the joy of new growth, flowers and blossoms.   

Please contact me if you are attending our outing - email [email protected] or mobile 0438627010

Gwen Turner 

​Our July outing to the Royal Hotel was a nice way to spend a Cold Winters Day.   You are a great group; you all love a bit of a chat and a beautiful lunch!

​A reminder that there will be no outing in August as we are having our annual winter break. On Thursday 26th September we will visit the private garden of Arthur Hill and George at 16 Steane St. Wangaratta, followed by a visit to Parklane Nursery, Wangaratta. Meet at the U3A car park at 9.30.  Lunch to be arranged - details in next newsletter. BYO morning tea. 

We have some members who aren’t well - a speedy recovery to you.  To those of you who are away, we hope it is nice and warm where you are!  Stay warm!

Gwen Turner 0438 627 010

​What a lovely morning we had at the garden of Petra & Barry Poole in late June.  
​  
Morning tea (pictured) was beautiful, many thanks, Petra and friends!  

It may have been cold but after a cuppa and lots of chatting we warmed up.

Lunch was at Golf Club, with more eating and chatting taking place.  What a great way to spend a cold winter’s day.

Please note that on July 25th we are only having lunch, meeting at the Royal Hotel, Benalla at 12 noon.   Please let me know if you are attending.
 
To our members who are unwell, we are thinking of you.  Get well soon!

Finally, a reminder that there will be no outing in August as we are having our annual winter break.

Gwen Turner 0438 627 010

We left Benalla at 8am on Thursday 23 May to go to the Echuca Plant Farm and Nursery, stopping at a lovely park in Echuca for morning tea featuring yummy cakes made by Geraldine.  Thank you, Geraldine! 

Then on to one of the best nurseries I’ve ever been to.  Everything was so well grown and presented, the plants just beautiful, the staff so helpful.  Lots of plants went into the undercarriage compartment of the bus, which was almost groaning with the load.

We then went to the Moama RSL for an excellent lunch where we were looked after superbly by the staff.    Wayne the bus driver took us for a drive around Echuca after lunch, dropping us at the wharf. 

​The bus, full of beautiful plants and 49 happy travellers, arrived back at Benalla at about 5 pm. I had so many plants Wayne drove me home and helped me to take them in! 

​All in all, it was such an enjoyable day, and the weather was so kind to us.  Thanks must go to Wayne for looking after us so well.

​To those who have gone north for the winter – good luck – and to those who have been unwell and were unable to go on the bus trip, we hope you have recovered.

​Gwen Turner
​0438 627 010

At our Anzac Day  visit to  Brookfield Maze Garden and Cafe, we welcomed  three new  members.  The weather was beautiful, the garden lovely to walk in, and our lunch most enjoyable.  Some of our members become lost in the  maze, resulting in lots of  laughter when they came back!. ​

We had a wonderful day at the garden of Carolyn and Garry Smith 46 Murray Rd Benalla on 'Easter Thursday'. It is a fabulous and quirky large garden with Garden Rooms and fun Art work made with recycled materials. Great scones made by Garry - thank you!   We had a very relaxing morning. ​

Coming up 

Thursday 25 April (Anzac Day) Brookfield Gardens, Maze and Cafe
​There has been a change of venue for the Anzac Day, 25th April Gathering from listed in the first edition of the newsletter.  Instead of going to the Cafe at Winton Wetlands as previously advertised, the group is now going to Brookfield Gardens (Maze) and Café, 1121 Benalla-Whitfield Rd. Myrrhee.  We will still meet at MITRE 10 car park at 11:30am.

Thursday May 23rd - Bus Trip to Echuca Plant Farm and Nursery

Our visit to Echuca Plant Farm and Nursery, Northern Highway Echuca West on Thursday 23rd May includes a Bus Tour around Echuca Township

The cost is $32 pp to be paid by 30th April, or by other arrangement with Gwen.  Money can be left in an envelope at RedB4 Books, next to Hide's Bakery.  Please put your name and 'Garden Appreciation Echuca Bus Trip' on the front of an Envelope with your money. 

Meet at Benalla Rose Garden, Royal Hotel End, at 8 am. Morning tea in Gardens. Lunch at own cost.

Please ring, text or email me if you would like to attend April's visit to Brookfield Gardens and Cafe and/or May's Bus Trip to Echuca Plant Farm and Nursery - 0438627010,  or  [email protected] 

To all who have been unwell, I hope you are now on the mend and had a very happy Easter.

Gwen 

Welcome back to Garden Appreciation for 2024.   It was great to meet new members and catch up with previous members of the group. 
  
What a start to this year’s activities! On Thursday 22 February, 56 members and 4 guests were welcomed to My Little Potting Shed in Samaria Road, Moorngag, by Melissa and Guy Mounsey, Melissa’s Mum and two very friendly dogs.   It was lovely weather, and the flowers beds were full of brightly coloured Dahlias.  Melissa gave a talk on how they started their business, followed by morning tea, then a walk around the gardens.   Thank you, Melissa and Guy, for making your garden available to our members to view.    

Lunch, at the Tatong Tavern, was attended by 53 members.   The service and food were excellent.