The picnic was a great opportunity to celebrate 20 years for the Moree Plains Garden Club and 10 years for the Friends of Moree Regional Botanic Gardens. Some visitors drove over three hours to come to celebrate this day. Local MP Adam Marshall also made a special effort to congratulate the Moree Garden Clubs at the picnic.

Mrs Carolyn Humphreys, president of the Moree Plains Garden Club opened proceedings at 11am.

It was wonderful to welcome the almost 100 people to Moree, especially as it was such a beautiful day. It is a great opportunity to see the progress being made with the Moree Botanic Gardens, and to see two local gardens too; Mr and Mrs Angus Livingston had their garden “Curratum” open, showcasing some unique examples of beautiful trees, and Mr and Mrs Simon Upton had their garden in town open too,” Mrs Humphreys said.

Guest speakers Mr George Hoad president of Garden Clubs Australia, congratulated the Moree Clubs and cut the cake to make the event. Mr Hoad was followed by Mrs Sarah Caldwell of Mole River Nursery. Mrs Caldwell discussed the incorporation of native species into gardens in the region.

The guest presentations were followed by an introduction to the Moree Botanic Gardens by Mrs Jenni Birch. The Moree Botanic Gardens will over time, run along the southern bank of the Mehi River from Edward Street through to the Heber St, gravel pit site behind the Moree Services Club.

The Heber St design incorporates a series of open garden rooms showcasing ecologically threatened indigenous plant communities from the Moree region. The semi-evergreen vine thicket garden was the first garden to be established with support from the NW Local Land Services and the Federal Government’s Caring for Our Country program.

This was followed by the Carbeen Eucalypts and Local Rock entrance which was supported by Inland Technology in Moree with volcanic boulders donated by Mr and Mrs Hugh Livingston.

“Key species which have been planted as part of the semi-evergreen vine thicket include dominant canopy plantings such as the belah, and associated canopy species like the brigalow, white box and the kurrajong. We have also been able to plant some gargaloo, native jasmine, native grape and wonga vines which are such an important part of the plant community,” said Mrs Birch

“As the gardens grow and more species are added the Moree Botanic Gardens will become a unique example of local indigenous plant species and communities providing education and relaxation for locals and visitors alike.”

The Moree Plains Shire Council funded the designing of the Master Plan for these gardens.

Both Moree Garden Clubs rely on volunteers. New members are always welcome and membership forms can be sourced from Tourism Moree or The Fork and Spade Nursery. Active gardening volunteers are welcomed by the Friends; please contact Joanne Sweedman on 0457 766 505 or Jenni Birch on 0267549481 if you are interested.

Words of Friends of Moree Regional Botanic Gardens Inc.