By Deanne Jeffers
WHEN the Heinz tomato sauce factory in Girgarre closed in 2012, it took with it 146 jobs and transformed the small town. On Wednesday, May 10, the community celebrated the culmination of more than a decade of “planning and planting,” and the tireless work of volunteers, to reinvigorate Girgarre, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Gargarro Botanic Gardens.
Heinz offered the community a cash donation when it closed, but instead, they requested the water entitlements and the land where the Gardens are located – a generous investment volunteers and local people have, “multiplied,” according to director of the Gargarro Botanic Gardens, Adrian Westen.
‘Doc’, the chair of the Gargarro Botanic Gardens and convenor of the Gargarro Project, said the community has embraced the project, regardless of challenges, from day one and thanked everyone who had contributed from design, funding, execution and ongoing maintenance.
“Almost $3M has been spent on the project in the last 12 months,” Doc said. The project has received funding from state, federal and local government grants, as well as donations of money and labour.
“This project has reached this stage because we’ve been successful in building partnerships with people and individuals.”
Over 20,000 plants were sourced for the Garden from 36 different nurseries, to create a design that reflects the region’s arid landscape, celebrating our native flora and precious water resources. The eucalyptus plantation feeds local koala populations in Campaspe, made possible by a partnership with the Friends of Gargarro Gardens group and Kyabram Fauna Park, now Zoos Victoria.
The recent opening of Gargarro Garden Café, owned and operated by Joel Raglus and Leon McAsey, has lifted the trajectory of the project, which is only stage one of a five-stage plan and currently includes the café and restaurant, eucalypt plantation, botanic gardens and nursery, and the soundshell.
With a large crowd in attendance from all over the region and beyond, the investment in Gigarre has transformed the small town for the better, for generations to come, and it is something the whole region can be proud of.
Gargarro Botanic Garden is located on the corner of Curr Road and Winter Road, Girgarre, just over 30 minutes from Shepparton. For more information, go to www.gargarrobotanicgarden.com.au
