In November 2014 we received the news that we had been successful in our application for a $5000 grant from the Bellingen Council's Environmental Levy Community Fund. The grant was to fund planting and landscaping the hospital grounds adjacent to the new sub-scute wing. Keen as mustard, we commenced work immediately ...

After 44 working bees involving volunteer gardeners, local businesses, Lions and Rotary, that $5000 grant resulted in a project valued at $90,597.

Barbara Moore was the project manager and it was due to her energy and determination that the project was completed on time and on budget. Without her dedication it is doubtful that we could have successfully completed it.

On four separate days, Barb put in a mammoth solo effort to finish our project by the December 31 deadline ...

December 23 - Barb delivered and installed the six new chairs for the gazebo and then went on to plant 107 more propagated plants in Zones 3 and 6.

December 26 - She returned to touch up the paint on the Hebel sculpture bases, and planted a further 63 propagated plants including orchids donated by Violet Preston in trees in Zones 3,4,6 and 8. Barb also moved excess mulch from Zone 3 to Zone 6.

December 27 - Barb backfilled mulch around the sculptures, finished the double brick edging along the edge of the pedestrian path in Zone 4, and of course planted yet another 178 plants.

December 28 - A final photographic record of the project, and a huge watering session completed Barb's work for the year!

Five years on, our team is still weeding, planting and maintaining the gardens at the hospital. We'd love a few more volunteers, so please contact us if you would like to help - we garden alternate Mondays for about one and a half hours, followed by morning tea and a chat. Please email Fenella at bellohospitalrescue@gmail.com