A makeover project for a special garden

Published: 24 Jul 2020 12:54pm

Families visiting the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Section at Wagga City Council’s Lawn Cemetery & Crematorium now have a new garden and play area as the result of a special project undertaken by staff.

The eight-month project involved the eastern side of the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Section being transformed from a row of old photinias to a colourful and interactive garden space.

Team Leader Cemetery, Mick Gleeson, said the aim of the improvements was to make it a more attractive and functional area for everyone.

“When we removed the photinias, which were all straggly and past their used-by-date, it gave us a blank slate to start afresh and do something nice,” Mr Gleeson said.

“We put in a fence and garden bed, as well as a new concrete path, a hopscotch court and somewhere to sit for the families who come and visit.

“The fence also underwent a make-over from local artist Luke Vineberg. The team sat down and came up with some ideas of what might look pretty, and once they’d voted on a design, Luke did a proof for us and came and spray-painted the fence.”

Forget-me-not seeds have been planted in one of the garden beds, reflecting the name of the Children’s Section and the poem which graces the monument near its main entry.

Another new feature is a chalkboard which the team built themselves and put on the fence near the seating. Cemetery & Crematorium Assistant, Gary Glen, came up with the idea.

“I thought it would be good to create something interactive for the kids because often the parent will come here with another child or children, so it gives those youngsters something to do,” Mr Glen said. “It’s been very popular with everyone writing or drawing on it when they visit.”

The improvements have been well-received, much to the joy of the team.

“Everyone had input into the design or carried out the works. We all wanted to be able to give the families a place that was full of colour and beauty, and would brighten things and cheers them up,” Mr Gleeson said.

The project team included Mick Gleeson, Gary Glen, Paul Wilson, Scott Malsem, Susan Dolphin, Amanda Jones, Jake Milnes and the late Richard Edwards.