Garden club comes to an end

Umina Garden Club has come to an end after 43 years on the Peninsula, following its inability to elect a new president.

Former club president Glad Ryan said she could no longer continue on with her position due to illness.

"Unfortunately we had to end the club, after such a long time, because no one else wanted to take over from me," Ms Ryan said.

"The job of president can be tough and, with me being sick, I just couldn't carry on with my duties".

Ms Ryan said all 24 members were "very sad" about the outcome but understood that, without a president, the club could not continue.

A farewell lunch was held on March 10 at Woy Woy Bowling Club for Umina Garden Club members to celebrate the club's long history on the Peninsula and to discuss the allocation of funds.

"We finished on a very happy note," Ms Ryan said.

"Everybody agreed on where the remaining funds should be donated".

Following the lunch the club decided to donate $1000 to Woy Woy Aged Care Auxiliary, $500 to The Salvation Army, and another $500 to the RSPCA.

Ms Ryan said she was grateful to Charmhaven Garden Club who were "extremely helpful" in collecting all exhibition equipment from them.

"No one knew what to do with all our left over equipment," Ms Ryan said.

"We were lucky Charmhaven were willing to take on the extra gear, otherwise it would have gone to waste".

Clare Graham, 22 March 2007