Open Gardens returns over two big weekends in support of Albany Community Hospice

Gates to the impressive gardens across Albany will be thrown open over the next two weekends in support of Albany Community Hospice. This year’s event will see eight gardens from Kalgan to Lowlands welcome members of the public for a $5 cash donation to ACH. Four of the gardens will be open all four days, while two will be only open on October 28-29 and two will only be open on November 4-5. A shortfall of funding for ACH is made up each year by the community’s support of fundraising events. Open Gardens has been held every two years since 2013 through the continued support of volunteers, gardeners and entertainers. Organiser Lyn Lutley said the community’s continued support of events fundraising for ACH was “an amazing effort”. “It’s important because anyone who goes into community hospice is not expected to pay anything other than for their medication,” she said. “This financial year the operational gap that ACH has to cover is about $500,000. “This Albany community, through all the fundraising efforts throughout the year . . . raise that every year, which is an amazing effort.” A number of the venues will provide refreshments for morning or afternoon tea or lunch. Entertainment will also be on offer at a number of the gardens to help patrons. Zazzies Jazz Band will play from midday to 2pm each day Sherwood Cottage is open, while Lelebirds and Bird on the Wire will play from 11am to 1pm on October 28 and 29 respectively at Alawa on Barfleur. The following weekend, Simone Kean will perform from 1pm to 3pm at Haven on Neilson on November 5. Ms Lutley said the eight gardens all offered something different to cater to different interests. “They all have something about them that is absolutely stunning,” she said. “If someone said to me ‘I’m looking to do a rose garden’ I could point them to this one, or if someone said ‘I’ve got a large block of land I want to make a bit of parkland’ well we’ve got one like that as well. “They are all lovely, people should read the descriptions of the gardens and go to the ones that are attractive to them or are offering the right entertainment or amenity.” Further details about the event and full garden descriptions can be found via the event section on the ACH website. October 28-29 All gardens are open from 10am to 4pm. November 4, 5 All gardens are open from 10am to 4pm.