Fourth Eremophila Festival 2004 - Opening Remarks | |||||||||
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The suggestion to hold an Eremophila Festival came from Gwen Leane, a former Friends Secretary several years ago. I am sure Gwen is pleased as we all are to see how her suggestion has grown into such a significant event for the Garden. This years Festival has been co-ordinated by Chris Nayda (who is also a volunteer guide at the Garden) and her team of volunteers and it promises to be the best yet. My thanks to all who have worked so hard to organise this biennial festival which is the major public event promoting the Garden. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Back in 1981 when I proposed the development of the Garden interest was low, but a dedicated group which became the Friends Group kept the proposal alive and promoted it at every opportunity. By 1989 the Port Augusta Council took real interest in the proposal and WMC Resources became the major corporate sponsor for the Garden. This was followed by some state and federal tourism funding and Stage One of the Garden was officially opened in September 1996. It is wonderful to see how the Garden has progressed and developed. The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden is a very significant undertaking for Port Augusta and indeed for Australia, and has done much to improve the image and perception of the city, along with other positive developments in recent years. The Garden has become an important tourist drawcard as well as fulfilling a valuable scientific, research and educational role. I commend the City of Port Augusta for making the commitment to The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. I am certain that this commitment will be acclaimed and recognised far and wide as a very positive development by the City Council. This year the Eremophila Festival is combined with a new event Arid a sculptural collaboration, with twenty sculptures on display. They are located in various parts of the Garden so be sure to visit the sculptures made by artists from the wider region. They can be seen here at the Garden for the next month. Holding the two events together here at the Garden seems very appropriate. Children, we hope you enjoy yourselves today, especially the story telling with Frozzled. Be sure to join one of their sessions today. I invite you all to inspect the Garden, either by walking or by bus, see the sculpture exhibition, look at displays and attend talks and presentations. Enjoy the entertainment during the day and food from the Bluebush Café or from stalls. Most importantly, dont forget to inspect the plant stalls and be tempted by the wide selection of arid zone plants, some of which are uncommon in cultivation. This could be the opportunity to buy something very special! It is wonderful to see how the Garden and the Eremophila Festival has popularised many arid zone plants, eremophilas in particular. Thank you all for attending and I wish you all a very enjoyable and informative day at the Eremophila Festival here in our wonderful Garden. Make sure that with all this activity you take time to see the Garden, or perhaps return at a quieter time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and seasonal differences. It is my pleasure now to declare this, the Fourth Eremophila Festival officially open! | ||||||||
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© The Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden
Good morning and a very warm welcome to all visitors, stall holders, people mounting displays, entertainers and musicians, volunteers, presenters and helpers to this the 4th Eremophila Festival organised by The Friends of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. It certainly does not seem two years since the last one!
