Volunteers, public representatives and sponsors have gathered to officially open the waterfall and windmill at Mrs York's Garden in Port Macquarie
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The commemorative ribbon was cut by long term sponsor and friend of the garden, Bob Lynch. Bob and his wife Evelyne first donated $5000 for general gardening in 2015 and have continued to support the project.
Also present at the opening of the pathways surrounding the waterfall were Friends of Mrs York's Garden volunteers, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council representatives and Bertha York's granddaughter Glenys Pearson.
Port Macquarie resident Ron Palin, who played in the garden as a child said his family had sponsored the restoration by buying two commemorative rocks.
"On behalf of the average person it is a really special place and I just think it's fantastic what everyone has done to restore it," Mr Palin said.
"It really does give someone a place to go to for some quiet time to have a think.
"I holidayed in Port Macquarie often as a kid, stayed at the beachfront hotel and this garden was my backyard.
"Even as a teenager I returned to the garden every January. It's a place I grew up and the gardens were central to that.
"It was the sort of place where you could throw coins into the waterfall and you'd come back the next year to find the same coins. It was considered sacrosanct."
The original waterfall and windmill were the final wishes of Mrs Bertha York, who began the floral reserve in 1961 and saw their completion in 1970. She would pass away in March 1971, leaving the care of the garden to council.
It fell into disuse and was later revived in 2015 by community group, Friends of Mrs York's Garden.
The official opening event was preceded by a soft opening with volunteers before pathway and rock works were completed. Following the opening work will now begin on a wooden lookout platform above the garden.
Uncle Bill O'Brien, who made a traditional welcome to country at the opening, said he remembered playing in the garden as a child.
"We used to play down here as kids and it was good fun," he said.
"It has changed and they have cleaned it up a lot. It was really bad for a while.
"It has always been a special place to sit and think on your problems. You're overlooking Town Beach and the surrounding area."
The $50,000 project has been supported by Friends of Mrs York's Garden community fundraising. Works were completed by BNJ Landscaping with assistance from garden volunteers.
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