Forbes Horticultural Society and Garden Club Inc invite the community and visitors to Forbes Open Gardens event this weekend, come rain, hail or shine on Saturday and Sunday October 14 and 15. There will be eight gardens open to the public from 10am. From small town to large rural gardens, there will be something to inspire visitors to brighten a special space or corner in their own garden.
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The Club is indebted to the members and community gardeners generously sharing their gardens for the benefit of many charities/organisations of their choice, with gate takings divided between each garden's nominated organisation. Come to help celebrate the Club's 70th year by enjoying a weekend of gardens, art, and good food.
Registration is at the Forbes Riverside Community Gardens, 59-71 Reymond Street where you can buy a two-day pass to all 8 gardens for $20, or if you only wish to attend a couple of gardens you can pay $5 for each garden.
This is the place to collect your information flyer with the list of gardens and the map showing their locations. While there, grab a raffle ticket for $1 for your chance to win a $500 Find it in Forbes card. The raffle will be drawn on Sunday afternoon, so you won't have to wait long to hear if you are a winner. You will only be able to buy raffle tickets at Gardens 1 and 5.
Please note: We don't have card facilities, so you'll have to bring along real money for your entry to the gardens, raffle tickets and for lunch, morning/afternoon teas.
The Men's Shed is providing a BBQ lunch at Garden 5, 289 South Lead Road. Lunch will be available from 11am to 2pm. Money the Men's Shed raise will go towards supporting their Shed and community activities. The Men will also be selling morning and afternoon tea treats made with tender loving care by Garden Club members. Don't miss out on these country baked treats!
Art Lovers will discover at Garden 5 a "pop-up" garden gallery of whimsical mixed-media artworks by local creators, supported by Forbes Arts Society. Featured artworks will be available to purchase
Firstly, start at Garden 1 Riverside Community Gardens to collect your wristbands and flyer which includes directions and a mud map. Once you have registered you may visit the gardens in any order you wish, or follow the directions on the flyer
About the Gardens
1. Forbes Riverside Community Gardens, 59-71 Reymond Street, Forbes 9.30am-4pm
Riverside Community Gardens has 30 members & 10 friends, along with private, disabled and community gardens. Lots of help, knowledge if required, providing "friendship through gardening"
The Riverside Community Gardens are open to the public 9am-11am Mon-Fri and 9am-12noon Saturday
2. Red Bend Catholic College, College Road 10am-4pm
The garden is set on acreage and comprises 180 roses and many other plantings. Take time to visit the Diamond Garden under the Chinese Elm and speak to Dean, the Gardener. RBCC is raising funds for Angel Flight
3. John Browne 111 Flint Street- cnr Bathurst & Flint Street 10am-4pm
John moved to this home in December 2017 where Barley Grass and weeds had taken over and all that was present besides that were the Mop Tops. The garden has been tirelessly transformed into the show piece it is today. John is raising funds for Forbes CanAssist
4. Colin & Gail McKay 17 Koala Place 10am-4pm
Following their retirement from farming at Bogan Gate and moving to Forbes they attempted to modernise and colourise the garden. Keeping original lawns and garden shapes but changing many plants, removing some trees and hedges to open up the outlook all around. The garden is their shared hobby and enjoyment and a place they love sharing with family and friends. Colin and Gail are raising funds for Angel Flight
5. Eric & Marian Barrass 289 South Lead Road 10am-4pm
The garden was a bare canvas when property was purchased 2006. A combination of themes- South, Old Fashion Garden, East, formal type garden, Northeast, parkland area, North, a family entertaining area. Throughout many established trees plants of different shape, size & variety. Eric and Marian are raising funds for the Forbes Association of Christian Education
6. Phil & Denise Thurston "Lacou" 10759 Escort Way (Orange Rd) 10am-4pm
This is a large country garden. Hedges of star jasmine, variegated viburnum, teucrium & Elaeagnus have been used to form various garden rooms. Some features of the garden include ponds, fountains, wisteria walks and a balcony overhanging the riverbank. A wide variety of plants are used in the garden with salvias and tall bearded iris being favourites. A large collection of succulents also provide interest. Phil and Denise are raising funds for Forbes CanAssist
7. Father Peter King 3 Wambat Street (side entry Bandon Street) 10am-4pm
The home is quite an age and has had various owners but since being purchased by Father King he has made changes to the garden in planting approximately 100 standard roses with varied underplanting. Father Peter is raising funds for the Forbes Anglican Church Hall
8. David & Michelle Mahlo 14 Lower Morton Street 10am-4pm
This is a large open plan garden with trees, a Palm Island, Veggie Garden with screening, raised garden beds & glasshouse. Recycled items used for landscaping & garden. A Native setting with Rural views. David and Michelle are raising funds for the CWA Forbes Evening Branch
Suggested visitor route
As you drive to the gardens, take notice of all the other great gardens you pass.
Look out for striped flags/balloons/signs outside the gardens
Firstly, start at Garden 1 Riverside Community Gardens to collect your wristbands and flyer which includes directions and a mud map. Once you have registered you may visit the gardens in any order you wish, but here is a suggested route to follow over the weekend of our Open Gardens
If you need a whistle stop, public loos are available below the Town Tennis Courts (Bandon Street), Apex Park (Aeroplane park), Lions Park (Junction St), Victoria Park (between Sherriff St, Court St, Harold St and Victoria Lane), and the Forbes Handicraft Centre 81-83 Lachlan St
1. Forbes Riverside Community Gardens, 59-71 Reymond Street, Forbes 9.30am - 4pm
(Register here from 9.30am to collect your wristband and flyer including your directions)
From McDonalds Newell Highway from Parkes: turn left at lights on bypass, continue then take left at Oxford Street (McFeeters Museum) continue to Flint Street turn right, follow, turn left to Reymond Street just before the Iron Bridge to Cowra.
From West Wyalong: (Newell Highway) turn right into Oxford Street then right at Flint Street to Reymond Street as above
2. Red Bend Catholic College, College Road 10am-4pm
From Riverside Gardens come back turn left into College Road and continue down until you enter the gates of the College
3. John Browne 111 Flint Street- corner Bathurst & Flint Street 10am-4pm
From Red Bend College come back up College Road straight ahead into Flint Street (look for flag) Cnr Bathurst & Flint Street on the left
4. Colin & Gail McKay 17 Koala Place 10am-4pm
From Cnr Flint & Bathurst Street continue down Bathurst Street turn left into Wambat Street then turn left into Koala Place drive to almost end of Cul de Sac (watch for flags) on your right
5. Eric & Marian Barrass 289 South Lead Road 10am-4pm (Lunch served 11am - 2pm)
From Koala Place turn right onto Wambat Street continue to Roundabout turn left onto Oxford Street, then turn left onto Newell Highway continue over bridge and take first turn left onto Wirrinya Road continue to fork in road turn left onto South Lead Road and follow road around until you see the flag on the left
6. Phil & Denise Thurston "Lacou" 10759 Escort Way (Orange Rd) 10am-4pm
From No 5-garden come back via Newell Highway to Camp Street (Opposite Victoria Park) turn right onto Camp Street proceed over bridge through roundabout continue over Rail Crossing for approx. 10 kilometres. Watch for flag on right
7. Father Peter King 3 Wambat Street (side entry Bandon Street) 10am-4pm
From No 6-garden come back into town to T intersection turn left onto Newell Highway (Sherriff Street) then take second left over Lake Forbes take second turn right into Bandon Street, White house on left
8. David & Michelle Mahlo 14 Lower Morton Street 10am-4pm
From No 7-garden turn right onto Wambat Street, right at roundabout onto Oxford Street, right onto Newell Highway, over bridge past school turn left onto Browne Street, through the next two roundabouts, continue and turn right at Edward Street follow along to Bogan Gate Road, turn left onto Bogan Gate Road, then right into Edward Street follow along to Morton Street and turn right
Forbes Horticultural Society & Garden Club Inc would like to take the opportunity to thank all the Community Garden owners and members of our Club for their generous help. Very much appreciated. We would like to take the opportunity of thanking each and every one for their support and their chosen charity. Helping us to help others.
Our Club is run by Volunteers, a great achievement. Thank you for visiting our gardens. Further information President Elvy Quirk 0428540272 Events Co-ordinator Janette Thomas 0428593536
