Deniliquin Garden Club president Sandra Cooke and life member Pat O'Brien cut the birthday cake.
It was through an advertisement in the Pastoral Times in 1978 that the Deniliquin Garden Club was established.
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Jean Strang placed that initial advert, and in doing so found a group of like-minded individuals who were more than happy to come together and discuss all things plants and flowers.
The first president was Pam Wettenhall.
Still running today, the current members of the Deniliquin Garden Club came together on Monday to mark the 45th birthday of the club.
Combined with the AGM and a small internal flower competition, guests finished the Monday afternoon meeting with afternoon tea and an obligatory birthday cake.
Current president and longtime member Sandra Cooke said it was a lovely way to mark the occasion.
In a history she compiled on the local group, Mrs Cooke said at its peak the Deniliquin Garden Club had 120 members.
Rosemary Burn and Pam Sefton.
While today there are far fewer members, they still gather on the first Monday of each month, except January.
over the years, members have enjoyed many fun times together.
Mrs Cooke lists bus trips away and flower shows among the highlights, but said the Garden Club has also had a hand in a number of local projects and initiatives.
“We ran a garden competition for the town, ending with dinner at the RSL and presentation of prizes,” she said.
“Another project we undertook was to compile a small book on gardening with hints and suggestions.
“Our major undertaking was to help beautify the entrance to north Deniliquin.
Judy Doddridge and Carol Tresize.
“We made a garden around a big rock (adjacent the north roundabout) and maintained the garden and weeding for many years, until council took over from our senior members.
“We would meet once a month for a working bee, and eventually we donated and planted 100 rose bushes as well and paid for the tables and coverings at Yarralong Park.”
As a not-for-profit group, any proceeds raised by the Garden Club has been used to support numerous organisations and charities, including Navorina, Orana, St Vincent de Paul and Deniliquin Salvation Army.
If you would like to know more about the Deniliquin Garden Club, please contact president Sandra Cooke on 5881 4244.
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