A good crowd of 58 members and two visitors attended the Lakes Entrance Garden Club April meeting.
Show bench judge for April was Diana Wolter.
In the photography section, first place went to Dearne Albert for her garden image featuring a large arch covered in roses. Second place was awarded to Sheryl McCubbin for her photograph of a white butterfly on a purple flower.
The colours of the rainbow section featured a vibrant display including scented pink luculia, autumn roses, dahlia, a butterfly orchid and alstroemeria.
The miniature arrangement section was once again well received, with first place awarded to Diane McStay for her small and highly colour-coordinated entry. Ann Barker placed second. Members noted that miniature arrangements can be particularly challenging to compose.
In the cactus and succulent garden section, first place went to Sheryl McCubbin for a “succulent village” display. Second place was awarded to Shirley Bardwell for an entry well matched to its container.
The three cuts section saw Ann Barker take first place with a striking arrangement of golden persoonia, lemon grevillea and bright red rose, drawing enthusiastic reaction from members. Second place went to Diane McStay with a display of gold banksia, pink grevillea and white magnolia in a decorative vase.
In the vegetable above ground section, Sheryl McCubbin won first place with a colourful corn display, noted as being for decoration only. Second place went to Ron Howells for a plate of bright yellow butter beans.
The floral art ANZAC theme section featured four entries, with first place and best exhibit of the day awarded to Dearne Albert for an ANZAC tribute incorporating red poppies, rosemary, wattle, gum leaves and an Australian bugler figurine.
Second place went to Truus Adams for a wreath in bright pinks, yellows and greens with a blue centrepiece under the theme “Lest We Forget.”
Guest speaker Wendy Lewis from the Friends of Nyerimilang Park presented a history of Nyerimilang, tracing its development from early selection in the 1880s through to its present status as a public reserve.
Ms Lewis outlined the property’s early ownership by Frank Stuart, a wealthy Melbourne businessman and politician, who built the current homestead and developed the grounds into an English-style parkland featuring plane trees and European plantings. She also described the elaborate travel arrangements of the period, with the family arriving via private train carriage, steamer and horse-drawn transport to reach the property.
Later owners included William Buckland in 1942 and conservationist Jack Ramsdell in 1964. In the 1970s, proposals to develop the site into an international hunting and shooting resort were ultimately opposed following a community petition led by Marion Le Cheminant, resulting in the property being acquired for conservation and public use under the State Government.
Today, Parks Victoria and the Friends of Nyerimilang continue to maintain the site with limited resources. Ms Lewis encouraged visitors to explore the walking tracks, rose garden and homestead, and to support the on-site shop featuring Gippsland-sourced products. Devonshire tea is also available at the homestead on the last Sunday of each month.
The next Lakes Entrance Garden Club meeting will be held on Monday, May 18 at 1.30pm at Mechanics Hall, Mechanics Street, near the library. Visitors are welcome.
