Volunteering at Parklands

Two Peninsula residents, Shirley and Clarrie Cook, have been recognised for their voluntary service at Mt Penang Parklands.

"Mt Penang Gardens has recognised eight of its team of 20 volunteers for three years' service," corporation chairman Mr David King said.

"The Blue Thumb program, which is what the volunteer garden guide program is called, is invaluable to Mt Penang Gardens."

The Blue Thumbs are involved in many aspects of Mt Penang Gardens, from providing visitors with tour experiences, to participating in events such as weddings and media launches, and providing planning advice to areas for development within Mt Penang Gardens.

"This is an active, lively bunch of people," Mr King said.

"Mt Penang Gardens has been open since November 2003 and although the volunteer program is one of the newest on the Central Coast, over 40 per cent of all Blue Thumbs have been with us since the start.

Mr and Ms Cook take part in the tour guiding aspects of Mt Penang Gardens and are "strongly involved" in a number of research programs to enhance the notes that the Blue Thumbs use for their guided tours.

"Mr and Ms Cook love being part of the program because apart from showing off one part of their 'neighbourhood' to either gardening enthusiasts or ones just out for a pleasant stroll, they are getting gentle exercise and can show how delightful a native garden can be," Mr King said.

"We enjoy the companionship and strong links made with other Blue Thumbs,"

Ms Cook said.

Mr King said: "The garden provides great examples of drought tolerant plants, stunning native flower displays and unusual contemporary landscaping ideas which are suitable for the home garden."

The gardens are open 9:30am until 4:30pm daily.

Anyone wanting to volunteer at the gardens should call Roland Soder on 4340 1002 during business hours.

Press release, 15 March 2007 Margaret Paterson, Mt Penang Parklands