The best-kept secret garden

By Vicki Christie, Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens secretary

The Illawarra’s best-kept secret is the Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens, located below and within the magnificent Illawarra Escarpment in Parrish Ave, Mt Pleasant.

The gardens were established in the late 1960s by Donald Stanton and William Mearns and a group of volunteers in the Illawarra Rhododendron Society. Today they are run by a small group of volunteers. We are not funded by government, council or National Parks, we rely on your $5 entry fee (via an honour system) and function fees.

The lower garden has a large lake, huge grassed areas, pavilions, a sunken garden and a large unique collection of rhododendrons, vireyas, camellias, magnolias and many companion plants. Our regular volunteers gather on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 9.30am and welcome newcomers.

Another day, another wander around Darkes Forest. It’s one of those places where we know we’ll see something interesting but just never know what that’s going to be. That alone has been good for my brain, which needs reminding, especially once December rolls around, to switch off every now and then and just be in the moment.

I noticed the stocky bird up ahead, on the dirt track, pecking at the seeds that had fallen from the banksias. Even in shadow, I recognised it as a Common Bronzewing and it did exactly as expected, and dashed straight up into the nearest tree with a loud clapping of its wings. They’re skittish birds at the best of times and I didn’t even bother to pull my camera out. Instead, I bent down to look amongst the leaf litter and after a minute or two zoning out, I was startled by a short ruckus in the tree directly in front.

Turns out the Bronzewing had decided we were worth a closer inspection and flew into the gum, peering down at the humans below. The name ‘Common Bronzewing’ is not used lightly, with the bird being found in pretty much every habitat, right around the country. We stood there a while watching it watching us, waiting. And then finally our quiet determination was rewarded and the bird moved into the sun and its wings exploded with metallic highlights, the feathers shimmering with golds, greens and purples.

I hope you get a moment or two this Christmas period, to enjoy the beauty in the most common of things.

The upper rainforest area (behind the deer fence) houses huge figs, red cedars, native orchids and other significant rainforest vegetation. We have established a monthly bush regen working bee on a Saturday and Tuesday. Walking tracks have been created in the rainforest area for hikers.

The gardens are open Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday and all public holidays, 10am-5pm. To volunteer, contact Vicki, Rhododendron.Illawarra@gmail. com or 0418 164 646.

Book functions via 0490 069 360

Most health funds do not roll over your optical benefit rebates. Why not use your rebate for a spare pair of glasses or maybe you may want to update to a pair of designer prescription sunglasses in time for summer.

*Conditions apply.