The Barooga Botanical Gardens have become a beautiful part of town thanks to years of dedication from local volunteers.
This week I continue the story on the volunteers who created the Barooga Botanical Gardens, a unique, peaceful sensory garden where visitors can connect with nature and enjoy special times with friends and family.
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A magnificent project, it has been driven by motivated community-minded people and transformed from a barren area into a spectacular green oasis — an Egyptian word meaning ‘dwelling place’.
An oasis a fertile green area sustained by an underground water supply in the middle of a desert or wilderness.
If one looks back to 1992 when the site was no longer used nor cared for, it was six acres of dry, unattractive land.
But thanks to the generosity of the community, it has enjoyed a total transformation.
Over the years substantial improvements have been made.
The Barooga Botanical Gardens committee — secretary Jan Cullen, president Lyn Knight and treasurer Vanessa Ranken.
Photo by
Barb Love
In 1994 a pergola covered walk-way off Brooks Ave was built by John Hyde and Norm Wright, planted with wisteria and Virginia creepers. This offers a magnificent entry to the gardens, particularly for a bride and groom who have planned their marriage in the charming rotunda, nearby, which was built in 2013.
Beautification of the gardens included four seats placed in various locations for visitors to relax and enjoy the ambiance of the park, which were donated by Roly and Kath Guscott in 1994.
While some years later a wooden sculpture crafted by Mark Rosenbrook was installed at a cost of $8000.
Additionally, two concrete pipes were installed, and the local mosaic group designed and transformed them into totem poles. This was made possible with assistance from volunteers.
In 2019, a water fountain sculpture of the Bullanginya Bunyip was designed and sculptured by local artist Tom Ranken together with a disc fountain feature.
Over the years appreciation has grown for what the gardens offer.
They are a magnificent venue for weddings and funerals, and the very first Christmas Carols event held there saw a crowd of abut 1000 people attend in what was described as a brilliant success, which continues each year.
A stone circular quay was built in 2020 and decorated by local artist Cathy Rilley.
To honour founding members who contributed many years to establish the gardens, the committee named different parts after Norm Wright, Daryl Yeaman, Harry Oldman and Geoff Brentnall.
By 2025, official archway entrances were installed at both the Nangunia and Banker St entrances, created by Tom Ranken. A worthy entry to this amazing piece of work by volunteers that continues to develop year by year.
Since 1992, the committee has driven the development with thousands of hours generously offered by numerous passionate volunteers.
They have raised all the funds through their community and today operate their own plant nursery, which opens each Tuesday from 9am to 11am where all plants are donated, and the proceeds go to funding other projects within the gardens.
The current office bearers, president Lyn Knight, secretary Jan Cullen and treasurer Vanessa Ranken, have collectively played a significant role in the improvements of the Barooga Botanical Gardens.
They are enormously proud of the achievements made and of the legacy that enables future generations to enjoy with their families.
It offers a sanctuary, a peaceful green space that is rare to find in a small country town where people feel safe and can look around and understand that their community cares.
