Lifestyle & Entertainment
21 October, 2025
Beautiful gardens go on show in November
FIVE of Ararat’s most beautiful gardens will go on show in November to raise money for Ararat Retirement Village. Three private gardens as well as the Ararat Cemetery Garden and Ararat Community Garden will open their gates on Sunday the 2nd of November. The Open Garden program is an initiative of the Ararat Retirement Village Ladies Auxiliary which funds items to benefit elderly residents.
Dawn and John Turner will open their garden at 83 Banfield Street which has been a labour of love since they moved to Ararat from the Hunter Vally three and a half years ago.
“There was nothing much here then, just large rocks and small stone in the front yard with some native grasses and a few not so good natives. In the backyard it was mainly dead grass and a retaining wall garden with just a few plants.
“It’s not a cottage or native garden, it’s a bit of everything I like,” said Dawn.
Ferelise and Allan Bonollo have proven a beautiful garden can fit into a small space.
Their property at 59 Viewpoint Street was a big change for the couple who had previously lived on a farm at Pomonal.
“After completing the house renovations, we relandscaped with raised garden beds, paths, drip irrigation and water tanks. There is organic vegetable gardens, fruit trees (some espaliered), berries and herbs. Some native trees, shrubs, creepers and ornamentals are all suited for small spaces and we have significantly reduced the number of pot plants,” Ferelise said.
The third private garden to go on show belongs to Leesa and Peter Waterman at 728 Moyston – Rocky Point Road, Rocky Point.
The couple relocated a house to the property in 1993, but were burnt out in 2015 forcing them to start again.
“By 2016 we had rebuilt an energy efficient house for two, with room for visitors. The garden came next with natives. It was meant to be simple and require no or minimal water,” Leesa said.
All five gardens will be open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday the 2nd of November, with Devonshire Tea served at the Rocky Point garden.
Admission is $20 per person with tickets on sale at the Viewpoint Street and Banfield Street gardens.