Garden volunteers get the (green) thumbs up

Dedicated community volunteers are putting the finishing touches on an all-weather shelter for visitors to enjoy at the Stony Range Regional Botanic Garden to commemorate its sixtieth anniversary.

What was once a rock quarry, Stony Range Garden has been transformed into a 3.3-hectare tranquil oasis tucked away in a green pocket adjacent to the bustling intersection of Pittwater and Warringah roads.

To mark National Volunteer Week, Mayor Michael Regan congratulated the volunteers for their six decades of devotion in converting and caring for the popular community green space.

“Volunteers are the main custodians of the garden, with a dedicated group of 25 keen helpers continuing their nurturing and fundraising from public donations, with Council support.

“Over six decades, garden volunteers have done a fantastic job of transforming an industrial eyesore into a lush sanctuary that is enjoyed by thousands of people,” Cr Regan said.

“Volunteers do an amazing job of making our communities more liveable and better places to live – I acknowledge and thank every one of them for their contribution.”

Volunteer Chairman, Bob Aitken, joined the Stony Range team in 2000 after an initial visit to see the wonderful piece of nature hidden in the urban landscape.

“It made an impression on me knowing about Australian native bushland as I was a keen bushwalker,” Mr Aitken said.

“I am mainly interested in its preservation as a piece of bushland to remind people that cities and towns are surrounded by fauna and flora.

“Stony Range is a haven for birds and animals that should be preserved for generations to come.”

The 6.3 x7 metre all-weather shelter will be inaugurated at the garden’s Diamond Jubilee Spring Festival birthday celebration in September.