Members of the community have celebrated five years of toil to restore and rejuvenate Mrs York's Garden in Port Macquarie.
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The community garden on the northern side of Stewart Street and Clarence Street was originally beautified by passed Port Macquarie resident Bertha York in 1963.
After her death the area was not maintained and fell into disarray. Community group, Friends of Mrs York's Garden (FMYG) applied to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to reinvigorate the area in 2015.
Di Davison, president of Friends of Mrs York's Garden, said the garden is an important and highly valued asset for both visitors and the Hastings community.
"We started the restoration in one corner and it was the base of the garden," she said.
"They (Council) originally said you have six months and we'll see what you can do. Well in two weeks we had it all done and were pushing out to the next thing.
"We put the shelter together in 2016, we made the entry sign and added seating. Our latest completion is the second shelter and it looks great, there is always someone in it.
"We have contributed around $400,000 worth of volunteer labour and added huge assets to the area.
"We truly have achieved an amazing amount in the five years. There's lots we can look back on and the challenges overcome."
Mrs Davison recalled the thrill of members uncovering a stone seat at the garden on the first day of cleaning the garden.
"When we think back we remember that our main aim was to respect Bertha and the work she had done," she said.
"The effort she had put into making a beautiful garden and for it to be left to rack and ruin for 30 years. It was quite disrespecting to her honour and her name.
"It was hard in the beginning because we were a small group and we didn't have any money. We missed out on grants but we had support from the community and that gave us an incentive to keep going.
"We have been able to set an example for the rest of the community. Bringing the nature, plants and animals back but also allowing it to be a safe space for people to come back to.
"I feel happy with what we've achieved."
Special guests Carol Smallman and Malcolm McNeil attended the five year anniversary. Both are long term volunteers. A copy of the first official volunteer sign-in sheet was also presented.
Mrs Smallman is one of two original members who petitioned the Council to start repairing the garden.
"I remember five years ago when Di McDonald and I were talking about how terrible the land had become. It was horrible," she said.
"I'm so proud of you all. I watch with wonder and sometimes I come up to sit and see the beauty of it.
"I'm so proud of you all and I'm proud that members have taken up the banner. On behalf of Bertha, thank you very much."
FMYG members started the morning by planting, weeding and whipper snipping the garden before celebrating the five year anniversary with an official cake cutting.
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