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SENSORY GARDEN

DISTRICT 9640 CENTENNIAL PROJECT
 

Changes at Gold Coast Botanic Gardens, Rosser Park, Benowa pdf
 

The Sensory Garden Design pdf (please click to view)
 

Gold Coast City Council: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens

 

Message from PRIT Brian Knowles AM - December 2005 pdf
(enlarge to 100% for reading)
 

                                  Sod Turning Ceremony for Sensory Garden
The Gold Coast Mayor, Councillor Ron Clarke was present for a sod-turning ceremony for the sensory
Garden on Wednesday, 23 February, 2005, along with members of the Gold Coast's 21 Rotary Clubs.
The sensory garden, sponsored by District 9640 of Rotary International, to celebrate the centenary
of Rotary, will be developed along the border of the main ornamental lake of the new Gold Coast
Botanic Gardens.
It is designed to be user-friendly for those with disabilities, featuring raised garden beds, broad flat paths
with no steps, shelters and shade. Signage, including audio and Braille items, and interpretive devices,
explain and complement the plantings. The area will also showcase unique water and sculpture
displays.
"It's a user friendly facility, with areas specifically designed for those with disabilities," Mayor Ron
Clarke said.  "They can now explore raised sub-tropical gardens and enjoy the amazing fragrance."
"It is heartening to see our local Rotary District become involved in such a challenging project"

The following is a photographic record of the historic event on 23 February 2005:

(please click each photo to enlarge)
  Representatives of Gold Coast Clubs gather near boards displaying plans and artists impressions of the gardens
     
  DG Margaret Hayes with District Public Relations Chairperson, Diana Todd-Banks
     
  PDG Max Wortman. Max is a member of the District Centennial Committee and was responsible for its establishment in 2003/04.

 
     
  PRIT Brian Knowles, Chairman of both the Centennial Committee and the Garden Committee, who served as MC for the Ground Breaking Ceremony.

 
     
  Mayor Ron Clarke, who has been an enthusiastic supporter of the sensory garden project, both personally and in his capacity as Mayor of the Gold Coast
    Gold Coast City Council: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
  Barbara Gardiner who provided some musical entertainment at the function.

 
     
  DG Margaret Hayes addressed the gathering and spoke of Rotary's centenary.

 
     
  DG Margaret and Mayor Ron Clarke, turned the soil at the ground breaking ceremony and planted a firewheel tree - a seedling from one planted in North Sydney in 1935 by Rotary's founder, Paul Harris
     
  Part of the group attending the ceremony.

 
     
  The Firewheel Tree and a plaque depicting its history.

 
     
  DG Margaret with a rose - a sample from the Rose Society. The Society has offered thorn free roses for inclusion in the garden
     
  Garden Committee member PDG Brian Heaton in deep discussion with PDG Ian Yarker. With Ian's nursery background are they discussing plants for the garden?
 
     
  Miss Jean Rosser, whose parents gave portion of the land now known as Rosser Park, site of the new Gold Coast Botanic Gardens.

 
     
  PDGs Dug Graydon, Keith Robson and Bob Baldwin, together with Nan Baldwin enjoying morning tea after the ceremony. Dug is a member of the Centennial Committee.

 
    Gold Coast City Council: Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
    - eNewsletter:    http://rotarnet.com.au/users/9/96452/enews040305.eml
     
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