Last Wednesday the Orbost Garden Club was the host of the East Gippsland Garden Clubs Conference, which attracted more than 150 keen gardening enthusiasts.
All who attended were satisfied that although the weather was not kind during the garden walk at Peter and Lorraine van den Oever’s property, the Orbost Garden Club still gave its best shot to promote our lovely town.
Michael Pritchard had put together a screen presentation of a couple of members’ gardens and very colourful photos of flowers grown in local gardens.
The two guest speakers from Snowy River Black Garlic and Meristem Edible Botanicals were well received and gave highly informative presentations, while the Orbost Club did the town proud coping with catering for a large number of guests from as far as Traralgon and Tyers.
Member, Jan Kelly, produced flower arrangements and artwork adding a special touch to the table decorations.
The groups were welcomed in the morning at St James Hall with a really well presented morning tea. All guests being keen gardeners could appreciate the rain but it did wreck plans for that leisurely stroll around sensory gardens and resting on garden seating at the Van den Oever’s beautifully landscaped garden.
However, their verandahs were very crowded so all angles of the garden could be viewed.
After lunch was held at the Orbost Club, three members of the Orbost Garden Club were inducted with life memberships - Rae Wilkinson, Rita Baker and Beryl Macalister.
Orbost Garden Club celebrated its 50th birthday last year and a celebratory cake was cut by founding members Ella White, Joyce Trewin, Marg Kleinitz and Jill Shanahan.

IMAGE: Orbost Garden Club founding members Ella White, Joyce Trewin, Marg Kleinitz and Jill Shanahan cut the 50th birthday celebratory cake.