After countless hours of hard work and dedication to complete the initial stage of the revitalisation, we were thrilled to have hundreds of community members visit the stunning space at their first major event in over 5 years.
The event on Saturday, November 11th was a testament to the rich history and beauty that had been restored to the once-abandoned quarry.
Rob Lowe Senior, Peek Whurrong Elder shared a deeply moving Welcome to Country which highlighted the sad history of the site and the transformation of the garden. He guided the development of the Indigenous acknowledgement area in the garden and expressed his ongoing support for the garden and its work to create a culturally inclusive place.
The glorious weather provided the perfect backdrop for the gathering of nearly 500 attendees. Talented local musicians and vendors added to the relaxing style of the event, creating an atmosphere filled with joy and warmth.
Laughter, song, and dancing echoed through the air, creating a magical setting for families with many young children getting up for local talent Flynn Gurry. Kids were also entertained with seven different activities on offer.
Dreams of repurposing the old quarry, a vision that dated back to the start of the garden in 2007, finally materialised. Concept plans were completed in 2016, and the work on the amphitheater began in 2019, with funding support from the Fletcher Jones Family Foundations, Warrnambool City Council's small infrastructure fund, and state government Pick My Project funding.
This is a truly incredible space, so we are grateful to be able to say thank you to everyone who helped get us to this stage. We can't wait to start work on the next part of the redevelopment, the rainforest gully, next year and host an even bigger event.
The project garnered recognition at both the state and national levels through the Premier’s Sustainability Awards and the Banksia Sustainability Awards in 2022.
This event was made possible through the generous support of the Warrnambool City Council's event grants program. The generosity of volunteers played a crucial role in making the event a success.
We're planning to open the garden up for anyone who missed seeing the site on Sunday 26 November with a free tour at 2pm. This tour celebrates the end of Urban Agriculture Month with the first-ever National Community Gardening Day being marked accross the country.