The event was collaboration between Phillip Nielson and Aaron Nicholls from Regional Design Service and the Corowa ‘Tree of Life’ community garden. The aim was to host an inclusive film event about Piet Oudolf – an influential landscape garden architect from the Netherlands, in order to celebrate garden design and start a conversation about gardens in our community.
To give the elderly in our community access to this opportunity, Phillip and Aaron decided to bring the film right to the Southern Cross Care Karinya Residential Aged Care home.
This idea was enthusiastically embraced by Donna Craig, Spiritual Well-Being Co-ordinator at Karinya.
“The result was an enjoyable afternoon that kicked off with floral arranging with flowers sourced from the community garden and from Karinya’s rose garden,” community garden president,” Sally Hughes said.
Following a welcome the film was shown and ice-cream was enjoyed by all.
Afterwards there was much discussion about people’s memories of gardens they had nurtured, favourite flowers and the joy of gardening.
“It got everyone talking about all things gardening and started many conversations between residents, carers and volunteers,” Ms Hughes said.
“Thank you to Donna from Karinya and the staff who assisted and to Lisa Ginns and David Sloane from the community garden for helping on the day.
“Thanks to Aaron and Phillip from Regional Design Services who partnered with the ‘Tree of Life’ community garden to host this event.”