By Jessica Anstice
Two very significant women in Pakenham’s gardening community received life memberships with the Pakenham Garden Club on Tuesday 3 December.
Meryl Waterhouse started the Pakenham Garden Club is 1998 and has been president and coordinator ever since – only stepping down now due to her health.
After 19 years of passionate and dedicated service as secretary and treasurer to the Pakenham Garden Club, Margaret Macdonald was the other recipient presented with life membership.
Ms Macdonald was recognised in front of more than 50 people at the club’s annual general meeting which was held at Outlook Community Centre in Pakenham. Unfortunately Ms Waterhouse was unable to attend.
“After 19 years of being a member of the club I wasn’t expecting it – it’s dumbfounding actually. I can’t believe I have life membership,” she said.
“I like gardens but I’m not a true gardener who can remember all the plants. I just love looking at all the various gardens and all the work that goes into them.
“We go to beautiful gardens that I probably would never get to see if I was by myself.”
Laraine Takle was nominated as club president, while Pauline Smith will lead as vice president, Ms Macdonald secretary and treasurer and Richard Prestt vice treasurer.
The rest of the committee consists of Chris Potteous, Tup Scadden, and Meryl Waterhouse.
At the AGM, guest speaker Helen Lovell from Nuetrog talked about the ins and outs gardening, particularly caring for fertiliser and mulch.
