This year's Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta Open Gardens event has been deemed a great success, raising awareness and vital funds for the local group and its support for communities in Timor-Leste.
Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta chair Karen Jones said it was a perfect day, with at least 250 people visiting the three gardens, helping to raise over $8000 for its projects and also attracting seven new volunteers to support their work.
“We also had great feedback from people who attended, many noting the variety and distinct character of the three gardens as a highlight," she said.
"Our gardeners were also all very positive, enjoying the interaction with fellow gardeners while supporting a worthy cause."
Ms Jones said the Open Gardens provide about a third of the money the group needs each year to run its programs, so as well as being a lovely day out, it’s an important fundraiser and opportunity to raise awareness about our near neighbours in Timor-Leste.
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She said the group will certainly run the event next year and already have some great gardens in mind.
“On behalf of Friends of Lacluta I want to thank our wonderful garden owners who put in a power of work getting their gardens ship-shape, then being on hand all day as hosts and tour guides," she said.
"I’d also like to thank the band Inisheer who volunteered their time to play at Morrisson's winery, Wangaratta council for lending us equipment, North East Media, ABC Goulburn Murray, OAK FM and STAR FM for publicity and finally our volunteers who baked cakes, made tea and coffee, sold tickets, directed traffic and worked tirelessly to make it a successful day."
Wangaratta Friends of Lacluta now have Christmas cards for sale as part of its fundraising efforts.
Five designs were chosen for the cards, after a competition was run at a local school in Lacluta across classes one to nine.
Students whose designs were selected received a small bag of art supplies, and money raised from card sales will go directly to support the school to purchase musical instruments and establish a music program.
Packs of five cards can be purchased for $15 by sending an email to folwangaratta@gmail.com and they will be sent, with payment to be made by bank transfer to BSB 633 000 Account 236 200 218.
