It was standing room only at the Walcha Golf Club last Friday for the Walcha Garden Club’s annual spring luncheon.
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For the third year, the lunch was sold out with clubs from Ebor, Ogunbil, Dungowan Valley, Guyra, Tamworth and Gloucester attending the 113 strong events.
Celebrity green thumb Meredith Kirton spoke about her gardening experiences in life and the huge job of transforming an old family property, home and garden at John's River, south of Port Macquarie.
George Hoad, the president of Garden Clubs of Australia Inc, also addressed the gathering before lunch was served by Walcha Central students.
The prestigious Ann Williams Clark Medal was presented to a stunned Walcha Garden Club stalwart – Hep Tozer.
“Mrs Tozer has been an outstanding member of the Walcha Garden Club for over thirty years,” president Julie Ireland said.
“She has regularly attended meeting days and any functions involving the garden club. Hep has been Secretary of the Walcha Garden Club for six years, and has been a member of the Walcha Garden Festival Committee since its inception in 2002. Hep is also a member of the Walcha Botanical Designers Group.”
Mrs Ireland said Mrs Tozer is always happy to share her knowledge of gardening and encourage new members whenever she can.
“Hep also assists with the coordination of the plant stalls at our annual luncheon and the biennial Walcha Garden Festival. Many plants have been potted up to sell from her garden in support of our club.”
Mrs Ireland said floral art was certainly one of Mrs Tozer’s great pleasures.
“There are many brides in Walcha who have been fortunate to have Hep arrange their flowers on their special day,” she said.
“Many other floral arrangements have been created by Hep for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and debutante balls.”
Mrs Tozer has been entering her floral art creations at the Walcha Show for many years.
“She has won many prizes with her creative arrangements,” Mrs Ireland said.
“Hep also had the honour of winning the Olga Lisle Memorial Trophy for best floral art exhibit in memory of her cousin.”
Mr and Mrs Tozer have opened their garden on numerous occasions to help raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service in Tamworth and many local charities.
“She has hosted garden visits by visiting garden clubs and interested groups,” said Mrs Ireland.
“In conclusion, Hep is a valued and dedicated member of Walcha Garden Club and a very worthy recipient of this award.”