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Garden centrepiece unveiled

Posted on October 2, 2008, 3:03pm

A giant mother, father and infant sculpted from limestone now gaze over the more than 300 roses planted at the new community garden on Penola’s southern entrance.

Installation of the one tonne sculpture “Love Forgets Not”, which stands more than two metres high, marked a major step forward in the project this week.

Built by Mount Gambier artist Ivo Tadic, the statue forms the centrepiece of the garden, which was developed through more than a year of work by a diverse group of contributors.

Rose garden statueThousands of dollars raised from sales of a year 2000 calendar created by Lois Hodge and Jill Eckermann to mark the 150th anniversary of Penola had been set aside for use when a suitable project was put forward.

This week, Mrs Hodge watched with pride as the statue was lifted into place with a crane after she had encouraged the Penola and District Business and Tourism Association to use $8000, largely from the calendar proceeds, to fund the project.

“We were looking for something suitable to commemorate the anniversary and thought it was very appropriate,” she said, adding she was moved by the garden’s theme as a place to reflect on lost children.

“The early settlers would have lost a lot of children as infants.

“The garden will create a new tourist attraction with the roses and whole concept that enhances the southern entrance to the town.”

The garden was planned by the Proud of Penola Committee, with Vivian Reschke, Brian Wagner, Geoff and Jill Eckermann and Barry and Glenys Mulligan among key drivers of the project.

Levelling of the site and addition of soil outside the hospital was undertaken in January before stone was chosen from a local quarry and builder Ian Tregenza began developing the stonework.

“Once he starts building with free stone he becomes an artist with his offsider Charlie Dickens,” Mrs Mulligan said.

“Charlie also installed drip irrigation, so it will be easy to look after.”

Planting of roses donated by Mr Wagner was undertaken in August by a team of South East Rose Society and Penola Vegie Group members.

Mrs Mulligan said other contributors to the project included the Penola Caledonian Society, which donated $1000, and Wattle Range Council, among others.

She said the garden would be a place for the entire community, including hospital patients and residents of Pinchunga, who could walk through the area.

Mrs Mulligan said an official opening may be held in autumn, once the roses had become established, and work would continue with mulching, further planting, completion of paths and development of beds around the gazebo, which was funded by Penola Lions Club.

Mrs Mulligan said the Proud of Penola committee would continue to maintain the garden.

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