Months of hard yakka and fund raising by community members who built the garden at The Ascent Group’s (TAG) Walker House in Kirkwood St finally saw the fruits of their labour on Saturday.
Representatives of the Rotary Club of Armidale, the Armidale Women’s Inter-church Group (AWIG), JobLink Plus and individual donors like Roger and Kerry Turner gathered to celebrate the conclusion of the project.
TAG CEO Kevin Mead acknowledged that without their contribution the garden, with its pavilions, raised vegetable beds, gravel paths and special outdoor furniture, would not have happened.
The $1 million facility for five residents with complex disabilities comprises five bedrooms, is north facing with solar panels, solar hot water and hydronic heating, water tanks and a water wise system for the garden.
At the back of the site is the expansive area the Rotarians have transformed, starting with a design by celebrity gardener Brendan Moar, son of Jim Moar, a member of the club.
Project Coordinator Roger Dance spoke of the extraordinary generosity of local businesses who lent equipment and provided materials at discount prices, donors and professionals who gave their time to help.
“It all turned out so well,” he said. “Whenever we wanted something, it just happened.
“It’s been amazing, it seems the whole of Armidale helped out in one way or another.”
The Rotary Club raised more than $30,000 towards the project and members gave their time for months on regular working bees. Donations from AWIG, JobLink Plus and the Turners also helped to fund the project and buy the outdoor furniture.
