By Ethan Benedicto
As members gathered to recount their past and put the pieces of their extensive history together, the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park Berwick’s high tea on Wednesday 24 April was a huge success.
Held at the visitor’s centre at Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick, the event gave members both past and present the opportunity to share and reminisce about their experiences at the park and also have them recorded as a contribution to the Friends’ history project.
Paula Taylor, coordinator of the history group project and a member for over 18 years, said that “everyone enjoyed looking at the display of photographs and posters, reflecting on how much the park and they themselves had changed over the past 30 years”.
“Fond memories of members who have passed away were shared and their legacy was applauded,” she said.
A broad range of entertaining stories were gathered on the day, with Ms Taylor keen on many more to be collected from other members who were unable to attend the event.
“When asked about the state of the park when they first joined the Friends, Margaret and Jim Knowles recalled that the park was bare and muddy but there was plenty of parking.
“Their immediate response when asked about the biggest changes they noticed over the years was ‘the parking’, which brought a peal of laughter from everyone,” Ms Taylor said.
A highlight of the event was the attendance of Mrs Neloo Kreltszheim, the artist who painted the prize-winning autumnal watercolour of the Visitor’s Centre which hangs in the centre’s foyer.
The Friends’ current president, Mrs Jenny Duncan commented during the closing event how significant the history project was, saying that “it is important that all users of the park, now and into the future, realise that this park was built largely by volunteers”.
“That the park would not be what it is today without their efforts; I hope the Friends’ story is an inspiration to all – working together with the City of Casey – volunteers can and do make a huge difference in the community,” she said.
