Friends of the McKay Memorial Gardens

Next Meeting with the evil RLL

2012-01-24T10:37:00.001+11:00

The Friends next meeting with the Regional Rail Link will be Thursday 2 Feb - in the meantime we are always looking for people who have some time to do some research for us - currently interested in Victorian case law regarding the disability act, modifications to heritage properties and any thing related to appeals against decisions to grant permits (Heritage Victoria).

UPDATE: The RRL have advised that the 2 Feb meeting will be postponed. Stay tuned for the new date.

On My Doorstep

2012-01-08T17:28:00.028+11:00

What is onmydoorstep.com.au?

It's a web service which allows people living in Victoria, Australia, to:

Find out more about their local neighbourhood
Locate services and activities nearby
Post and view upcoming community events (festivals, attractions, fetes, etc.)
Ask questions that will be answered by other users in the local area
View information and history about the community and compare it with other area

And now the HV McKay Memorial Gardens have a listing. Go have a read and if you have any photographs of the gardens, you can add them to the collection.

2011 AGM

2011-12-15T12:54:00.000+11:00

2011 AGM was held on Sat Dec 3rd.
Minutes from Previous AGM confirmed. Treasurer's Report accepted.
Officers of the group elected. (remains unchanged from last year) Meeting Closed.
Discussions moved on the discussion of the effects of the RRL and Group's response.

Has the Regional Rail Link project been hiding the details at its public info sessions??

2011-12-15T12:50:00.001+11:00

Press Release:

On Friday 9 December several Sunshine community groups with an interest in the Heritage listed HV McKay Memorial Gardens met with Regional Rail Link (RRL) representatives at Sunshine.

At that meeting it was revealed that the preferred proposal would result in the following impacts on the Gardens:

Moving the recently restored gates up to 20 metres

Acquiring land along the Anderson Road frontage

Removing the 4.5 metre heritage listed pedestrian footbridge from across the train tracks

Building a new 7 metre pedestrian footbridge with two lifts

Noise increase of at least 5 decibels

Attendees also noted that no investigation has been done into the effects of vibration via the increased train traffic. This is particularly worrying for the recently-underpinned historic Presbyterian Church, situated in the Gardens and probably any residential properties situated close to the tracks.

The community groups present expressed concern that this information was not presented to the broader community as part of the RRL information sessions held in late November 2011 (two weeks ago). Fortunately, for Sunshine residents, the Heritage status of the Gardens means that the public will be given an opportunity to review the finalised proposal and make comment to Heritage Victoria once it receives a permit application from RRL.

Members of the Friends of the HV McKay Memorial Gardens, the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association and the Sunshine Historical Society were boosted by the promise that their input and feedback would be taken back to the design team and hope that the next meeting, in the new year, presents a reconsidered design with no impact on the nationally significant HV McKay Memorial Gardens.

Next event - Planting Day

2011-06-08T22:09:00.000+10:00

Sat 18th June 2011

10am – 12pm

McKay Gardens

120 Anderson Road, Sunshine

Everyone is invited to come and join us for the next planting day. Bring your gardening gloves and kneeling pad. We will provide the plants and the hot drinks and the Brimbank Council will provide a sausage sizzle.

Our aim is to finish planting out the garden along the “straight six” (parallel to the train tracks). The Friends have been cultivating Gazanias that were struck from cuttings and these, as well as other plants, will be going in. There will be reason to celebrate as these plantings should complete the “straight six” section of the gardens.

There may be some weeding to do in the rose gardens for those who are really enthusiastic. We will also hold a brief meeting afterwards in the Church meeting rooms.

Rug up warm and come and join us. Bring friends and family and meet new people from the neighbourhood.

Regional Rail Link

2011-06-05T12:52:00.000+10:00

In April 2011, the Victorian Government announced it will proceed with the $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project. It aims to separate regional trains from metropolitan trains in Western Melbourne giving Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat trains their own dedicated tracks from Sunshine to Southern Cross Station.

Opportunities for residents and concerned citizens to have their say on proposed works are being offered as the designs for key aspects of the project become available.

Currently, the Regional Rail Link team are seeking feedback on the future plans for the new Maribyrnong River rail bridge and changes to the rail corridor near the Joseph Road Precinct and Railway Place. More details on the information sessions being offered and the ways to give your feedback can be obtained from

Regional Rail Link website

Of particular interest to the Friends are two planned road rail grade separations along Anderson Road, very close to the HV McKay Gardens. The Department of Transport are currently shortlisting bidders to undertake this package of work and have advised that the community will be given opportunity to comment on any proposals developed.

We will let you know here when that opportunity arises.

2011 Art Prize

2011-05-31T20:37:00.002+10:00

In 2010, we ran the Friends of the McKay Memorial Gardens: Schools Art Prize and received over fifty entries from five schools. Cash prizes were donated to the winning entrants’ schools.

At the AGM in March 2011, members voted to hold another art competition - similar to last year's but open to the broader community.

We are now seeking a person interested in helping to organise an art competition, utilizing the Gardens as inspiration.

For more information, please contact Catherine McDonald:

catmcdonald@iprimus.com.au or (03) 9364 7443

AGM 2011

2011-05-31T20:31:00.000+10:00

The annual general meeting (AGM) of the Friends of the McKay Memorial Gardens was held on 26 March 2011:

Catherine McDonald was returned as President
Helen Reed was returned as Treasurer/Secretary
Michelle Edwards joins the Friends as Media Officer

Ordinary Meetings for 2011 were scheduled for:

Saturday 18 Jun 2011 After the planting day activities)
Saturday 27 Aug 2011 10-11am
Saturday 26 Nov 2011 10-11am

Activities planned for next 12 months include planting days, promotional flyers, an art prize and on-going liaison with Brimbank Council.

Annual General Meeting

2011-03-06T11:21:00.004+11:00

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the McKay Memorial Gardens will be held on

Saturday 26th March from 10am-11am

Presbyterian Church Meeting Rooms
HV McKay Memorial Gardens
120 Anderson Rd, Sunshine

All welcome. Light refreshments provided.

Gardens Address

2011-02-20T12:35:00.000+11:00

H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens 120 Anderson Road Sunshine.

Curious fact. Google maps doesn't actually list the HV McKay Memorial Gardens. They are listed under KG Chaplin Reserve. The map is not particularly accurate anyway. It doesn't show the footbridge over the rail line.

Anyone interested in contacting google to get them to list the gardens?

Monthly Meeting

2011-02-20T12:20:00.000+11:00

Next Monthly Meeting
Sat Feb 26th Between 10am-11am
Church Meeting Rooms
H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens
120 Anderson Road Sunshine.

All Welcome. We supply morning tea.

Click Here for Google Image of Church

Plant Propagators Wanted

2011-02-20T11:59:00.000+11:00

Interested in propogating Gazania for the Friends of the McKay Gardens?

We can provide pots, potting mix and plants. These easy to grow plants will be planted out along the 'straight six' as part of a planting day in June. If you have green thumbs we want you!.

Come to our meeting on Sat 26th Feb.

Or contact us at contact@mckaygardens.org

Australia Day Celebrations 2011

2011-01-04T12:52:00.000+11:00

Welcome to the new year ladies and gentlemen. Brimbank Council will be holding their Australia Day Citizenship ceremonies in the McKay Gardens on January 26^th. As part of the celebrations the Friends will be providing a historical image display and a guided walk through the gardens. Everyone is welcome to come along.

Music in the Gardens 2010

2010-10-29T20:16:00.000+11:00

Notice of upcoming event. Music in the Gardens. The Friends will be holding another music in the gardens event on 27^th of November in the McKay Gardens from 1pm. The Maltese Community Band and the Sunshine Pipe Band will be playing. Afternoon Tea will be available. Forget the Election Blues . Come and join us for a relaxing afternoon in the Gardens.

Schools Art Prize

2010-10-29T20:06:00.000+11:00

The Friends of the McKay Gardens Schools Art Prize was awarded on the 17^th of October. First Prize in the Senior Photographic Section went to Julie Ung from Marian College. First Prize in the Junior Section went Seth Buckow from St Bernadette's Primary School. Over fifty entries were submitted from five schools and the art work was displayed for a week in the Sunshine Market Place Shopping Center. The Friends donated $500 to schools of the winning entrants. The local media also covered the event and the winners were published in the Brimbank Leader. (At the time of writing we are still hoping for articles in the Star and the Weekly) Many thanks to the schools who participated and congratulations to all the school children who entered.

Meeting This Saturday

2010-08-27T11:08:00.000+10:00

Reminder.

Monthly Meeting
This Saturday 28th of August 2010
Meeting Rooms McKay Gardens 10am -11am.
Agenda
Plans for upcoming music event, promotion of the McKay Gardens Art Prize, proposals for next year.
Everyone Welcome. (no charge) Come along and get involved.

Planting Event July

2010-07-16T18:43:00.000+10:00

The Friends in conjunction with the members of the Sunshine Gardening Club will be holding a planting event on Sat July 17 (This Saturday) Between 10am - 12 noon. Feel like getting your hands dirty, want to plant something chosen by the community, got ten minutes to spare. Come along to the garden bed directly behind the church in the McKay Gardens (Anderson Road, Sunshine).

June Planting Day.

2010-07-16T18:30:00.000+10:00

It was a cold Winter's Day but the Gardens are looking better all the time. Marvelous what water will do. Evidence of our work!

The Sage bushes in bloom

Planting Day Event

2010-06-12T18:51:00.000+10:00

For those who like to get their hands dirty
There will be a planting event in the McKay Memorial Gardens on Saturday June 19th from 10am-12 noon. We are planting up a garden bed. Come along and get your hands dirty, everyone welcome.

Schools' Art Prize

2010-05-03T11:25:00.000+10:00

Schools' Art Prize

The Friends of the McKay Memorial Gardens will offer three art prizes for school students in 2010.
1. Junior Art Prize (up to year seven)
2. Senior Art Prize (year seven and above)
3. Senior Photographic Prize (year seven and above)

The winning submission in each section will be awarded $500 for the submitting school and first prize certificate to the submitter. Second and Third prize certificates will also be awarded.

Entries close Firday 15th of October 4:00 pm

Conditions and Entry forms available here.
Conditions

Entry Form

Annual AGM

2010-03-26T18:33:00.000+11:00

Just a reminder to all that the 2010 AGM will be held this Saturday March 27, approx 10am at the Church Meeting Rooms, McKay Gardens, Anderson Road Sunshine. Also a good opportunity to check on the developments in the gardens. Everyone welcome.

Back to Grass Roots

2010-01-01T16:04:00.000+11:00

Age Newspaper article by Denise Gadd.
Back to Grass Roots

Centenary Celebrations

2009-12-03T17:50:00.000+11:00

Well Ladies and Gentlemen the centenary celebrations were a big success. (We had some trouble with the rain – but how can we complain about that!) About 200 people turned up to listen to the bands, view the photographic display and most importantly, stroll through the Gardens. A big rush by Council before the kick off day saw all our interpretive signs installed, the restored wrought-iron gates and Gothic pillars replaced and the garden beds spruced up. In addition we were in the end able to organize a centenary tree planting (a Bunya pine courtesy of the McKay Family) to commemorate our first hundred years and to look forward to the next 100 years.

Our interpretive signs

Restored gates and pillars

Centenary Tree planting of Bunya Pine.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bunya Pine (Araucaria bidwillii) is a large evergreen coniferous tree in the genus Araucaria, family Araucariaceae. It is native to south-east Queensland with two small disjunct populations in northern Queensland's World Heritage listed Wet Tropics, and many fine old specimens planted in New South Wales. It can grow up to 50 m.

The Bunya Pine is the last surviving species of the Section Bunya of the genus Araucaria. This section was diverse and widespread during the Mesozoic with some species having cone morphology similar to A. bidwillii, which appeared during the Jurassic. Fossils of Section Bunya are found in South America and Europe.

And the band played on. The Legless Lizards.

Article in the AGE newspaper

2009-11-15T14:31:00.000+11:00

For those of you who missed it this is the link to last Saturday's AGE article on the gardens:
How the West was won.

http://blogs.theage.com.au/lifestyle/potteringby/

Music in the Gardens

2009-11-09T10:55:00.000+11:00

Music in the Gardens

Sunday 29th of November from 12.30

Celebrating our Centenary

HV McKay Memorial Gardens 120 Anderson Road, Sunshine.

Sunshine Brass Band
Sunshine Pipe Band
Legless Lizards

Fee afternoon tea.

Bring your own picnics, blankets, seats etc. If the weather is very warm you might also want to bring umbrellas.

There is limited parking in the street in front of the gardens but parking will be available in the adjacent soccor ground and on the opposite side of the rail line. (take a short walk across the footbridge)

For those who don't know the area well - the McKay Gardens are located between Barlay and Chaplin Reserves.

Finally Irrigation

2009-11-09T10:37:00.000+11:00

Some Good News.
Finally after struggling through the drought and the loss of trees without adequate water, Council has installed a new irrigation system. We are hoping that this will make all the difference (despite the fact we are still reliant on inadequate heritage water excemptions.)

We are also happy to report that we have had 19 new trees planted into the Gardens to replace some of those we have lost. This includes additional magnolias and oaks along with a variety of other species.

Council Draft Budget Submission

2009-06-09T14:34:00.000+10:00

Submission to Brimbank Council on Behalf of the Friends of The HV McKay Memorial Gardens.

Comment on Draft Budget.

Preamble.
The McKay Gardens were established in 1909 and are one of only two known existing examples of an “Industrial Garden” in Australia. (The other is the Fletcher Jones Gardens in Warrnambool which is both younger and smaller) The HV McKay Gardens are listed on the as a place of National as well as State significance and on the Victorian Heritage Register as a place of State significance, they are also
listed with the National Trust of Victoria. They are a core component of the remaining heritage fabric of Sunshine and one of the few remaining elements of the H.V. McKay's social-industrial philosophy. The heritage value of the Gardens cannot be overstated.

Submission.
It is extremely disappointing that Council has failed to provide funding in this year's budget for the full implementation of the HV McKay Memorial Gardens Action Plan prepared for the Council in 2008. The sad demise of these historically significant gardens has been the result of decades of under funding and intermittent (and often misguided) action by successive Councils. Council's funding commitment
to the Gardens last year suggested that attitudes may have changed but its failure to fund this year seems to illustrate that nothing really has changed. In the centenary year of the gardens, the restoration of the gardens will only be partially completed and their on-going maintenance and restoration will once again be left to the vagaries of chance and the over-stretched, good will of council officers.

This is not the way to manage heritage assets. In 2008 the Heritage Council of Australia identified three main defects in heritage management in Australia – the failure to achieve consistency, the failure to provide certainty and the failure to build capacity. Council's approach to the management of the McKay Gardens seems to demonstrate all three defects.

Council has at various times gone to the trouble of commissioning management reports but fails to provide sufficient funding or resources to implement those reports. Council shows only intermittent interest in maintaining its heritage assets with funding appearing for a year (sometimes two) but then disappearing again for decades at a time. Council officers work extremely hard to manage the community's heritage assets but the Council's on-again off-again approach means that they are never able to develop the capacity necessary to provide ongoing high quality management.

Heritage gardens are recognized economic assets. A substantial body of research demonstrates that when managed well, heritage gardens create jobs and grow economies. They create employment for occupations as diverse as stone masons and iron workers and tour guides and food and retail assistants. In 2004 the Victorian Government estimated that heritage tourism generated an estimated $7.8 billion
for the Victorian economy. (Productivity Commission Inquiry into Australia’s Historic Heritage, 2006) Tourism might sound like an unlikely outcome for heritage sites within Sunshine but up until the late 1950s the McKay Gardens attracted thousands of tourists to its annual floral displays. It is also interesting to note that the Warrnambool City Council features the Fletcher Jones Gardens in most of its
promotional literature and the gardens in Warrnambool are reputed to be one of the most photographed historic gardens in the State.

Tourism is of course not the only way in which heritage gardens grow economies. Improvements to the reputation and 'livability' of areas that arise from well maintained heritage gardens also encourages private investment in surrounding areas. (Heritage Counts 2003) In a community like Sunshine that is economically disadvantaged, investment in economic drivers should weigh in the establishment of Council's funding priorities. This does not appear to be the case in this year's budget.

Heritage gardens also serve numerous other strategic needs within communities. They provide environmental, social and health benefits. For example, when the mean temperature in Melbourne rises above 30 degrees C, the mortality among over 70 year olds increases by 15 percent. Parks and Gardens with extensive mature tree canopies have been shown to reduce ambient temperature. Since not everyone can afford air-conditioning it is safe to say that gardens such as the McKay Gardens reduce death rates. (A Heat alert system 2008)

They also improve health profiles. The majority of Australians do not play organized sport. Nor is there any evidence that percentage of people playing organized sport is likely to increase with the provision of increased sporting facilities. Rather the majority of people gain their exercise through non-structured activities such as walking, cycling etc. (ABN 2008) High quality parks and gardens is crucial to facilitating this activity. We submit therefore, that it is strategically flawed for the Council to continue to give funding priority to the development of sporting facilities such as soccer grounds at the expense of investment in open space such as the McKay Gardens.

Sporting organizations, while admirable in themselves, serve the interests of only a minority of the community. Heritage gardens serve the entire community's interests. This view is supported by the Council's own community consultations that have consistently reported that the community views the availability and standard of its parks and open spaces as its most important priority. We are greatly disappointed therefore that Council has not continued to prioritize open space in this year's budget. The benefits accruing from heritage gardens only occur where such gardens are well managed and maintained. Half developed gardens that must constantly struggle for resources are not an indication of good management, they are an indication of a lack of commitment and ultimately result in ongoing expense to the community rather than being an economic and social gain. Council has already
expended considerable amount on the development of plans and proposals for the restoration and improvement of the McKay Gardens. If Council does not enact these proposals and bring the strategic plans to full fruition, it will have wasted the excellent efforts of its officers and undertaken expenditure without any effective outcome. In other words, it will have wasted rate-payer's money.

We therefore respectfully request the Council reconsider it failure to provide funding for the McKay Gardens in this year's budget and call upon Council to implement the HV McKay Memorial Gardens Action Plan in its entirety. We also call upon Council to develop a more strategic approach to its funding priorities and recognize its heritage assets for their cultural and economic value.

Friends of the McKay Gardens Inc. 2009

June Working Bee

2009-05-25T13:06:00.000+10:00

Friends of the McKay Gardens will be holding a working bee/planting day in conjunction with the Brimbank Council on

20th June 2009 10am - 12 noon.
Free Barbecue and Lunch afterwards.
(McKay Gardens, Anderson Rd Sunshine)

Everyone Welcome

Horticultural News.

2009-01-25T13:38:00.000+11:00

Horticultural News.

Our Magnolia tree, that struggles to survive, is now in flower. This has to be one of nature's most glorious perfumed flowers and the Grandiflora is a truly beautiful tree when kept well.

Magnolia grandiflora. Common Names: southern magnolia, bull bay, Family: Magnoliaceae (magnolia Family) Southern magnolia is a large, broad-leafed evergreen tree that can grow 60-90 ft (18-27 m) in height with a trunk up to 2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m) in diameter. It's trunk is typically straight and erect with spreading branches that form a dense, broadly pyramidal crown. The evergreen leaves are large 5-8 in (13-20 cm) long, leathery and dark glossy green above with rusty, velveteen undersides. Southern magnolia has large, showy white flowers that are 8-12 in (20-30 cm) in diameter. These have a pleasant fragrance and appear throughout the spring and summer. The fruits are reddish-brown conelike structures, 2-4 in (5-10 cm) long, with bright red kidney shaped seeds that hang from little threads when fully mature in autumn.

Happy Birthday McKay Gardens

2009-01-25T13:34:00.000+11:00

Happy Birthday McKay Gardens.

Yes ladies and gentlemen this year is the Garden's 100th birthday, a time to celebrate and make a splash!

The Friends will hold their first monthly meeting on Saturday 31st of January between 9 and 10am in the church meeting rooms in the Gardens.

On the agenda:
The Friends of the McKay Gardens have been successful in receiving a grant under the Federal Volunteer Grants Program to assist us in our activities. Congratulations to Helen for her application writing abilities. Now to discuss how to make best use of the funds.

Further discussion to develop our joint project with the Sunshine and District Historical society. So far free plant give aways are proposed, possibly along with Friends Badge sales. If you are interesting in propagating plants for this or other purposes please contact the Friends. Other suggestions welcome.

Discussion of lobbying the Council for full watering strategy for the gardens. Due to restrictions on the use of potable water, the Gardens are still being under watered. We need a more sustainable watering solution.

Afterwards: Tea and coffee for those would like it. A stroll through the Gardens and rubbish clean up.

More News:
You may have noticed that the wrought iron gates on Anderson Road have been missing for a while. These have been removed by Council for repair. The good news is that Council has received funding for the restoration of the gates and gate posts.

Two new seats have been installed around the “Green” including the one to replace the Dorothy McNeil memorial seat.

The flower beds around the “Green” are now in full bloom and worth a look. Unfortunately, grass on the Green hasn't survived lack of water although I'm told it may sprout with Autumn rains.

Monthly Meetings

2009-01-25T11:48:00.000+11:00

Monthly meetings are held on the last Saturday of each month from 9 -10am at the church meeting rooms. Church Meeting Rooms McKay Gardens, Anderson Rd Sunshine.

If you are interesting in growing plants, getting some exercise, writing grant applications, newsletters, media releases, gaining experience in administration, doing historic research or just socializing with like minded people then...

Come along and help us restore these historic gardens.

Annual membership fee of $5.00 or $2.00 concession.

Members receive a monthly newsletter.

Every one welcome.

AGM

2008-11-02T11:41:00.000+11:00

The Friends of the MCKAY Gardens will be holding their AGM on Sat 29th November between 2-3pm. Church Meeting rooms in the McKay Gardens Sunshine. (Anderson Road) New Members are welcome.

Please attend and get active.

Planting Bee

2008-09-04T17:38:00.000+10:00

Do you have an urge to put things in the ground!

The Friends are holding a Planting Bee on Saturday 27th of Sept. From 9:00 -11:00 (We promise you will be home before the big match).

You only need to bring yourselves and maybe some gardening gloves.

Western end McKay Gardens.

Fund Raising Stall

2008-09-04T17:37:00.000+10:00

Fund raising stall Thursday 18th Sept - Harvester Road Sunshine Thursday Market.

Organizing Meeting

2008-09-04T17:33:00.000+10:00

The Friends are holding a brief organizing meeting on:

Saturday Sept 13th 10:00 am at the meeting rooms McKay Gardens

to organize the fund raising stall. Please come along and get involved we can't do this without help. We are also still accepting donations (particularly books) for the stall.

Effects of Drought and Neglect

2008-08-25T11:30:00.000+10:00

The redevelopment has of the Gardens has been wonderful unfortunately it has been too late for many of the trees. We have lost another one just recently, a Norfolk Pine. A project for next year might include replacing some of these - any suggestions for type?

Development of old Bowling Green Site

2008-08-25T11:11:00.000+10:00

The Old Bowling Green site has finally been reclaimed and landscaped. This has involved the construction of new paths (concrete unfortunately, gravel would have been nicer) new plant beds, new seating, new lighting (council is using the lights from the old bowling club) and yes finally irrigation! So far, most of the plants have survived and we expect it to look great in spring. It has really opened up the gardens and will provide a great venue for music and festival events. If any one is interesting in using the site for these purposes let us know.

Take a walk through the new development and let us know your thoughts.

Podcast

2008-05-03T18:54:00.000+10:00

People might be interested to know that the history of the McKay Gardens got a spot on a Podcast produced by the Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers site. Check it out.

http://www.sunshine.asn.au

Working Bee

2008-05-03T17:47:00.000+10:00

Friends of the McKay Gardens

Report on Working Bee 12 April.

In perfect gardening weather, the Friends’ first working bee got off to a great start. Eight people attended and were able to remove a considerable amount of dead plant material and weed species from the top of the ‘straight six’. We also scraped back and dug over the dry mulch in this section and in the process discovered many Iris bulbs coming up. Three bags of rubbish were also removed from the vicinity. We were also very pleased by the positive reaction from members of the public to our work. A surprising number of people still remember the glory days of the Gardens. All in all a great deal was achieved in just two hours (although many thanks must go to Helen and Bill who started work before every one else and were still pottering when others had left). Of course this is just the beginning and the Friends of the Gardens look forward to our next working bee in May.

Other news: After considerable delay the Council has finally received exemptions from watering restrictions from City West Water, and will now water the Gardens twice a week via the in-ground sprinkler system. Unfortunately this has been too late for a number of the mature trees that have died but with luck we should lose no more.

Sunshine and District Historical Society has contacted us and is very keen to become involved in some joint projects with us. We look forward to working with them. They will soon be conducting an historical walk (possibly June) that will take in the McKay Gardens.

Web site: http://www.sunshinehistoricalsociety.org.au/index.html

Finally, the Djerriwarrh Employment and Education Services has offered to produce a newsletter for us. If anyone is interested in writing a short article on any matter related to the Gardens, including anecdotes, historical information, horticultural information etc, please contact us.

Postscript. We have now organized to conduct a working bee on the last Saturday of each month (except September, which will be the third Saturday). See our calendar for details.

Meeting with Brimbank Council Staff

2007-12-11T18:43:00.000+11:00

Two Friends of the McKay Gardens met with Council Staff today at the Brimbank Council Offices in Sunshine. We discussed registering the group as an official Council "friends" group for organizing working bees and co-operation with Council Parks staff.

The Council plans for redeveloping the former bowling club site and re-integrating it into the Historic park were presented. These plans will be discussed at the next Friends meeting on Saturday February 2nd 2008.

The proposed Friend's social event and working bee were also discussed. This will probably be held in early Autumn.

Friends of the McKay Gardens Meeting

2007-12-01T16:32:00.000+11:00

A meeting of the Friends was held today, Saturday 1 December 2007. About ten people were in attendance. Discussion mainly centred around the Brimbank Council resolution to redevelop areas of the Gardens previously occupied by bowling greens and return them to use as parkland and open space.

Other topics of discussion included ratification of the appointment of a Web/IT media person, water use and irrigation in the Gardens, and plans for a social/fund raising event.

Council to undertake works in HV McKay Memorial Gardens

2007-12-01T16:17:00.000+11:00

Brimbank City Council voted last meeting to adopt the following recommendations

That:

a) The open space within the HV McKay Memorial gardens, which becomes available after the demolition of the bowling club facilities, be developed in accordance with the 1994 Conservation Analysis and Management Guidelines report modified to suit current conditions and a landscape concept plan prepared for public consultation.

b) A detailed Action Plan be developed for the restoration of the entire gardens in accordance with the 1994 Conservation Analysis and Management Guidelines, modified to suit current and future conditions, and presented to the Council in time for 2008/9 budget considerations.

c) Capital Works bids be developed to support recommendations in the action plan, including development of the new garden beds, installation of new furniture and reinstatements of the former path network.

d) Management practices in the gardens and associated operations budgets be reviews to assist in the upgrading of the vegetation in the gardens.

e) A Friends Group be formed with the assistance of Council officers that will encourage resident interest in the gardens.

f) Security patrols be undertaken in the gardens as part of Council’s trial security program this summer.

In addition, $203,750 has been allocated as part of the 2007/08 operational budget to demolish the bowling green facilities and reinstate gardens in its place. This will include, the development of a level grass rectangular area to reference the original 1912 bowling green, the restoration of part of the 1909-1952 path system and reinstatement of some of the original garden beds. Works are scheduled to commence in February, 2008.

Friends of the McKay Gardens

2007-11-21T07:57:00.001+11:00

The H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens are an important historical feature of the Sunshine area of Melbourne, Australia. Begun in 1909 by H.V.McKay, the gardens are listed with the National Trust and the National Heritage Register as a site of national historical significance. The Friends of the McKay Gardens are dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of the gardens.

This Blog has been created to record the events and activities of the Friends group - their meetings, social events and work in the Gardens. It is also intended to document the history, condition and development of the Gardens over time.

The Friends website can be found here:

http://www.mckaygardens.org/index.html

You can join the McKay Gardens mailing list here in order to keep in touch with regular updates:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mckaygardens/

You can find details of the next meeting and forthcoming events here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mckaygardens/cal