Victoria State Rose Garden volunteers were in full bloom last week after receiving a Heritage Council award.
In recognition of the hard work and long hours volunteers have put in to maintain the garden in the past 23 years, the Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters group was presented with a certificate by Heritage Council of Victoria chairman Stuart Macintyre.
The state rose garden was developed between 1986 and 2001 through the state government, with a group of 50 volunteers taking over maintenance in 1993.
About 120 volunteers look after the rose garden each Wednesday and Saturday, putting in more than 10,000 collective hours of gardening a year to keep the blooms in peak condition.
The Heritage Council award is presented to groups that have made a significant contribution to saving, preserving or promoting Victoria’s heritage.
Mr Macintyre said the original volunteers were trained in all aspects of rose culture by some of the foremost rosarians in the country and had passed their knowledge to newcomers.
“The supporters are the only reason we have this wonderful asset – an asset to both the Werribee Park precinct and the state,” he said.
“By creating another attraction to bring visitors to Werribee Park, the rose garden helps introduce many tourists to another slice of our past.”
Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters president Joan Broadstock said it was an absolute thrill to have the volunteers recognised for their hard work.
“This came completely out of the blue … we’re thrilled to bits,” she said. “We do it because we love it.”
To become a volunteer, call Veronica on 9742 4291.
