April 2016 Outing

image M. Franks - Tozer Garden 

This report has been written by Program Committee Member Pat (with the exception of the Museum segment which Member Marie help contribute to).

The April Outing began in brilliant sunshine as we all gathered at the Botanic Garden to set off for an interesting and exciting day. Arriving at Bailey Avenue we were warmly welcomed by Robyn and Jim who are justly proud of their beautiful prize winning garden.

image M. Franks - Tozer Garden

Morning tea being the first item on the agenda we made our way to the back garden where we could stroll around and choose where we would like to have our 'cuppa' from the various delightful spots available. This cleverly landscaped garden is indeed a garden for all seasons, looking as spectacular in Autumn as it did in Spring when it won the Reserve Champion award in the Spring Garden Competition. There are many colourful foliage plants and beautiful shrubs with just a touch of colour added with the orange and yellow marigolds planted round the pool.

image M. Franks - Tozer Garden

Passing through an archway at the back of the garden we were able to enjoy a garden created by Robyn and Jim on the Nature Reserve behind the house, and this too was filled with many interesting native shrubs, plants and fruit trees.

image M. Franks - Tozer Garden

The front garden is a series of 'rooms' each with a special feature to capture the attention. And finally there was the 'Art Gallery' with a selection of oils and water colours all painted by Jim.... country scenes, some still life and 'trompe l'oeil'. All very tempting to buy.






The Coffs Council Nursery was next on the agenda and this proved to be very interesting and informative with Paul Sullivan the Nursery Manager, showing us around and explaining how they propagate their plants and 'pot' them on for the wholesale market. Although undergoing 'deconstruction' as the nursery is to be relocated at the Council's Tree Farm at Sandy Beach, it was still of interest to learn about the variety of plants propagated, their watering methods, using only recycled and tank water and their mulching and fertilizing regimes. A trip to the Tree Nursery at Sandy Beach is planned for later in the year.

image M. Davey

Our next stop was the Museum - Allamanda, Wisteria and Stephanotis caressed the eastern fence while the Gymea Lily and Agaves stood proudly at the entrance to the Museum. The Silver Lady ferns lined the verandah near the entrance and the flowering Ginger, Bromeliad and Tibochina adorned the front garden along with Roses and Honeysuckle. 

image M. Davey

The members were interested in all the Museum exhibits  - the WWI room, Maritime Room, the George Ellis' 100 year old Flintstones truck and the Media Room with its Tasma Movie Projector.

image M. Davey

The back garden incorporates a garden seat built around a tree. This was constructed by a past volunteer at the Museum (and CHGC member) Graham, who worked last year to prepare the garden for the Spring Garden Competition where it received a prize. All the fruit trees, BBQ and chook shed are original to previous occupants of the building.

image M. Davey

This heritage building was purchased by Coffs Council in late 2010 to replace the purpose-built but flood-prone museum building at 189B Harbour Drive. During the refurbishment period (and post 2009 flood) the city's historic objects and photography were stored in an industrial bay at South Coffs.

Volunteer gardener David is responsible for the gardening this year and it is looking very smart!

We then proceeded to the Hoey Moey for a tasty lunch, where we could get to know each other and chat about the morning. 

image M. Franks - Tozer Garden

As they say in the classics, 

'A good time was had by all.'

Thank you to Pat and Marie for your accounts of the outing and Margaret and Marie for the images.