Sharon Greenaway

Waterwise gardening for next season

Water wise Demonstration Garden still worth a look.

Despite the incredible rain that we are currently experiencing in Central Victoria (the most in 30 years) we shouldn’t become complacent as here in generally-low-rainfall-Bendigo it is not that long ago that we were experiencing severe water restrictions.

As such the Water wise Demonstration Garden, which was established in 1993 by the City of Greater Bendigo, with the help of Coliban Water and the Australian Open Garden Scheme is still a valuable resource for people planning gardens.

Now in the height of summer (admittedly a very mild one compared to the last few years) this garden is a colourful relaxing area that shows just what can be achieved with clever plant selection that takes into account the climatic conditions, soil type et al. The garden even includes some of my favourite plants – roses.

“The garden is not watered at all. During the drought we watered occasionally to maintain some plants but that’s all,” explained Anthony Sheean, Senior Environment Officer, City of Greater Bendigo. “Most of the plants growing in the garden are original plantings. We have done some supplementary planting over the years but the trees and large shrubs are all from the first planting. The water tank [which is attached to the roof of the small picnic shelter in the middle of the garden] is approximately 1000L capacity. It demonstrates the value of installing a rain water tank for a supplementary source of water for the garden.

“The roses are older varieties which tend to be very Water wise.
“The garden is 800 square metres in area, the average size of a residential allotment at the time the garden was constructed. It is maintained by the City of Greater Bendigo Parks and Natural Reserves Department”.
While there doesn’t seem to be any signage as to the names of the plants, advice for Water wise plants can be obtained from the publication ‘Smart Gardens for a Dry Climate’ which is available at council offices.
The Water wise Garden can be found at Strathdale Park (South East of Bendigo), McIvor Highway.

Kookaburra Woodcraft

Kookaburra Woodcraft.

This local business first came to my attention last year when Bill and I organised a quote for a bookcase in our family room.
We were impressed with both the friendliness and professionalism of Chris and Viv, as well as the lovely bookcase we had built to our specifications after we accepted the quote.

I met up recently with Chris and Viv Bortolotto in their home for Our Patch, where every piece of furniture (see photographs) was made by Kookaburra Woodcraft.
The business is all about custom building furniture, kitchens, robes, doors, stairs, shop fronts and so on. One of the current projects Chris is building is a library for a house. (I was so jealous when he told me this!) ‘That’s where the heart and passion is in…[the business] custom building, I guess, one off pieces,’ said Chris.
Prior to starting up the business, Chris worked for other people building kitchens. He is a qualified joiner, shopfitter and stair-builder and his first job was building wooden model aeroplanes, trains and making parts for Spitfire and Tiger Moth vintage warplanes. ‘This is what got me passionate about…customising and building not the norm,’ said Chris.
‘He’s always said that he’d like to plan the job, do the job…and deliver it to the clients and get that satisfaction of them being happy, I think [it is this that] drives us to do what we are doing really,’ added Viv.
Viv, a qualified hairdresser, currently divides her time between looking after their two children, the administrative paperwork of the business and studying interior design.
One of the challenges of running their own business is the hours the couple needs to put in. In the week I interviewed them, Chris was starting his work day at four o’clock in the morning.
The couple would definitely recommend to anyone considering working for themselves to do it, remembering that, ‘‘It is a lot of hard work, you’ve got to stay focussed and you’ve got to keep organised,’ said Viv. ‘The clients are the most important thing, that’s what makes your business.’
‘You’ve really got to believe in yourself,’ said Chris, ’Because if you have doubt, before you know it you will get nowhere, you’ve got to believe in yourself and work hard and always move forward.’
‘You’ve also got to be cautious, in some ways, not to over-commit yourself,’ added Viv.

Kookaburra Woodcraft was established in 2005 and offers a range that can be anything from modern contemporary to heritage styles.
Chris and Viv can be contacted on (03) 5439 4320, or mobile 0407 521 209.
E: kookaburrawoodcraft@bigpond.com

CWA (Axedale Branch).

CWA (Axedale Branch).
When I think of the CWA (Country Women’s Association of Australia) immediately images of gorgeous hand crafted garments displayed at agricultural shows comes to mind.
When I recently asked CWA Axedale Secretary Ann Kerr to give me some information on the group that she belongs to I was surprised at the extent and range of the community involvement of this local branch of the organisation.
‘Axedale CWA is a relatively new branch – began August 2007,’ explained Ann. ‘We currently have 10 members…[and] hold 11 meetings per year, four business meetings and seven social gatherings. We currently hold our meetings at the Axedale Tavern and stay on for dinner. We encourage new members to come and join us!
‘Our group is strongly committed to supporting our local community. For example, we have created a ‘Community Youth Award’ worth $500 which is given to the recipient at the annual Australia Day breakfast.’
This award is funded through a ‘community trading table which allows locals to trade excess fruit and vegetables.’
The CWA (Axedale branch) next trading table will be held on Saturday May 21st at the Axedale Hall (High Street) from 10am until 2pm.
As well other goods such as plants, books, and craft are also traded or sold. The branch encourages people to come and support them.
‘[As well as the youth award] we have provided aid and support to neighbouring victims of fire and flood over the past years,’ added Ann. ‘Some of our members are also involved in a local quilting group and have made numerous quilts to donate to these people.
‘Obviously we need to raise funds for…our projects. We ran a Mother’s Day competition and we are about to do an SPC fruit drive.
‘We also organize social activities, such as garden tours and pottery making, and invite guests to enjoy these experiences with us, thus promoting the fellowship of women.’
Contact Axedale CWA Secretary Ann Kerr for more information: On 54 397 367 or 0439 397 396.