Page 14 - PR Mag Aug18

SENIORS WEEK

Gardening Club Sowing the

Seeds of Friendship

The small group of dedicated members of Seasons Kallangur’s gardening club reveal that it’s not just
the community’s beautiful gardens that they’ve nurtured over the years, but friendships too.

Walking through Seasons Kallangur’s gates and through to “We go from garden to garden – wherever Karen thinks that
reception, the first thing that catches your eye are the beautiful Wayne (Kallangur’s maintenance man) hasn’t been able to get
flowers in the front garden beds. to weed or whatever. Although all of us are finding it hard to
This work, as well as the rest of the garden beds that form get down to weed but we’re pretty good at lopping! As long as
the beautiful views from the lowset apartments and out someone can pick up the bits!”
to the newly landscaped Tranquility Trail, is the work of Nell also brought a love of gardening to the team but the weekly
the Seasons Kallangur’s Garden Club, who meet up each meetups have given her so much more.
Wednesday afternoon. “I love the garden because I’ve had a garden all my life. I’ve
The club was the brainchild of Kallangur’s receptionist Karen been here 12 months next month and I needed to be out in the
Houchin who decided to start up the club to get some of the garden – as soon as I heard about the garden club I was really
residents who loved gardening together. pleased. I’m not able to do as much as I’d like these days, but it
“The gardens were getting out of hand so Karen decided we’d is my favourite hobby,” says Nell.
try a gardening club so that’s how we “I think it’s the friendship and being
got started,” says club member Ellen. able to get out and connect with each
While they all came together for a “ As soon as I heard about the other over our love of gardens and
common cause, their gardening skills garden club I was really pleased. flowers that I enjoy most. That’s my main
and experience varied. I’m not able to do as much as reason anyway – the friendships that
“I’m not a gardener – never was! Even in I’d like these days, but it is my I’ve developed since I’ve been here – it’s
my own home that I had in Townsville, favourite hobby, ” been really very good.”
all the plants got Victor disease … the Muriel agrees, saying that although
Victor mower went through everything! keeping on top of the gardens can seem
But my father was a beautiful gardener and I just like to get like an endless task it’s great to be out in the outdoors and enjoy
outside for a little while and potter around the gardens,” says the like-minded company.
Ellen. “It’s a never-ending job and the more people we can get into
Others had more experience, with Frank bringing his experience the garden the better. I’ve always had garden and vegetable
in horticulture to the team. gardens so it’s just something that I knew I would enjoy,” says
“I’ve loved gardening all my life, I’ve always had a garden. At one Muriel.
stage after I retired from my job I had a mowing and gardening “It’s enjoyable to get out and about – especially when it’s sunny.
business and I also studied horticulture so that’s one thing that It’s good company with everybody. Anyone who’s in the garden
I love doing,” says Frank. club enjoys it because of the friendship that’s there and if
Each week’s gardening tasks vary and Jenny, who has been a you like gardening you can see something for your efforts for
member since she joined the community three years ago, says getting out of your unit and enjoying other people’s company.”
that she also enjoys getting out in the great outdoors and To learn more about Seasons, visit -
getting her hands dirty, even if it’s getting harder these days. www.seasonsagedcare.com.au