Echuca Horticultural Society is a home for local green thumbs to share in all things gardening. Pictured are members Nancye Smith, Lesley Steele and Jill Banch at the group’s AGM in July. Photo: Supplied.
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of.
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To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to members of Echuca Horticultural Society.
Being the longest continually running gardening club in Victoria does not happen by chance. It is a testament to the hard work and passion of the Echuca Horticultural Society members.
Since their first meeting on September 18, 1879, the group has fostered a love of all things plants, creating a dedicated space for local gardeners to share and learn.
The group has around 60 members, with many regularly attending their monthly meetings, member-only open gardens and day trips around north-central Victoria.
“A couple of weeks ago we went to Castlemaine open gardens,” web administrator Sherril Francis said.
“That was really lovely because they had 23 gardens.”
Members regularly contribute to the wider community, including playing a key role at the Echuca Moama Show.
The group assisted with the horticulture section of the pavilion; the many entries and categories organised by volunteers.
“Part of our club is to help in our community,” Mrs Francis said.
“We’ve also done a flood relief plant giveaway for the Rochester, Barmah, Echuca people. Anyone in the district could pick up as many plants as they’d like for free.
“That was really successful, and a feel-good thing to do.”
Echuca Horticultural Society’s setup at the Echuca Moama Show. Photo: Supplied.
Mrs Francis joined the group after retiring, having an interest in gardening and more spare time to dedicate to it.
She is now the web administrator, or as she calls herself, the ‘PR lady’, running all things digital for the group.
“They had open gardens for the public,” Mrs Francis said.
“One of the ladies that I knew said, ‘why don’t you join?’ and I said, ‘yes, I would like to’, that was one of the reasons why I went as well.
“So I joined and I’ve really enjoyed it. Now I’m on the committee.”
Echuca Horticultural Society has an active Facebook group, managed by Mrs Francis, where members share images of their gardens and plants they come across.
“It’s created a bit of interest in the community,” Mrs Francis said.
“We’ve got followers who can’t come to a meeting ... they can see what we’re doing and all the lovely photos of the gardens.”
Echuca Horticultural Society members Caroline Arrowsmith, Anne Dryden, longest-serving member Esma Dwyer and Sally Cuttriss at the group’s 145th birthday celebration in September. Photo: Aidan Briggs.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Each meeting, members bring something to ‘show and tell’, such as a beautiful rose or camellia, hanging basket or pot plant.
There is a $2 meeting entry fee that goes towards a raffle organised by long-time member Lois Dixon, with gardening-related prizes.
They can be assigned homework, too, such as creating a Christmas decoration or floral art, which is then judged by the group.
Every second meeting, they also invite a guest speaker, who shares wisdom about different areas of horticulture or running workshops.
“Last meeting we had someone from Neutrog, which was all about soil, what they do at Neutrog, how they make soil, the good bacteria,” Mrs Francis said.
“It was really interesting.”
Monthly meetings are held at the Moama Football Netball Club rooms on Kirchhofer St, Moama on the second Wednesday of the month at 2pm.
The group has no January meeting, and in December, members host their Christmas breakup lunch.
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