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Bob and Dot first met at High School
and after both going to Teachers' College started teaching careers.
They have four grown up children and five grandchildren.
In 1975 they purchased their present
property as a cherry and plum orchard and farmed it commercially for
about 14 years whilst both teaching and bringing up their family.
Meanwhile they established about one acre of garden around the house.
In 1989 a tough decision was reached
and the orchard was bulldozed. At this point they started planting a
few gum trees but it wasn't long before the gum trees had "friends'
around them and thus started the native garden. Bob and Dot both love
the Australian native plants and the birds and butterflies they
attract.
The gardens were started completely by
Bob and Dot and the property was named by them. The only original trees
are two cherry trees near the house, a row of cypress trees along the
boundary (planted by early settlers in the area as a wind-break) and a
large pine tree. As Bob says, "You can blame us for any mistakes here
as it is all our work."
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Dot took up counselling training
after retiring from teaching at the end of 1982 and spent some time
counselling and being involved in "Care" ministry. At present she is
involved in "Kairos Outside" a ministry to women whose loved ones are
in gaol, and also corrects Bible Study notes for prisoners in gaols.
Bob also retired from teaching
at the end of 1982 and enthusiastically started propagating plants. He
now spends time giving talks to interested Probus and Gardening groups.
Bob's deep care for the
environment and amazing energy and enthusiasm in gardening was
recognized by ABC Gardening Australia when he was awarded the "Gardener
of the Year 2005."
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Bob and Dot both have
lots of energy and tackle whatever they do with enthusiasm and
determination. Whenever they meet a challenge they like to meet it
head-on.
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Yarra
Valley,
Dandenongs and the Ranges, Wandin, Melbourne, Australia
