Comboyne residents have turned the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic into opportunity by using the lockdown stay-at-home-orders as a way to hone their artistic skills.
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Community members including Tim Connell, Robyn Lyon, Marion Lawrence and Nola Stumm have banded together, to create an event called Gardenista and celebrate the diversity of Comboyne's creative talents.
As part of Gardenista, it's hoped community members will be able to come together for a botanical art and couture fashion parade and display at the Comboyne War Memorial Hall in December.
Private garden walks were part of the Gardenista event and were due to run in October but have since been postponed.
Creative Comboyne president Robyn Lyon has an extensive background in botanical design and was a finalist at the renowned Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.
Mrs Lyon said Comboyne residents have been through some tough times recently through hailstorms, wet weather events, drought and the coronavirus pandemic.
"We all need something fun now to look forward to," she said.
The NSW roadmap out of lockdown is looking at how to keep communities COVID-safe into the future when the entire state opens back up.
Freedoms will apply for fully vaccinated adults only. This will happen from the first Monday after the state reaches a 70 per cent double dose vaccination coverage target, which is expected in October.
It's hoped all of the hard work put into Gardenista will pay off once December rolls around.
Mrs Lyon said botanical design is a transition from traditional floristry as it allows for a lot more experimentation.
Six spectacular fashion costumes have been hand made, utlising the elements of botanical design and from materials sourced locally and overseas.
Mrs Lyon said botanical design poses challenges as wearable costumes can be difficult for models to walk in.
"That's the challenge," she said.
"We often have to trial different things."
Mrs Lyon's favourite design is a bridal style dress which is made from white mulberry bark.
A lot of Mrs Lyon's inspiration for botanical design has come from Europe which she said is advanced and very artistic.
"Once you get exposed to this you really just want to have a go at it," she said.
The Gardenista team is encouraging young people to get onboard as a way to showcase their artistic and creative skills.
The event has partnered with TAFE NSW, Charles Sturt University and Busways.
Comboyne residents roll up
Not only have Comboyne residents connected as a community, they have also embraced the state's vaccination campaign and rolled up their sleeves.
The Comboyne Community Centre has been operating as a vaccination clinic for residents of Comboyne and its surrounds.
Community Centre secretary Leonie Stevens has the task of helping people book in for their vaccinations and her phone has been ringing non stop.
Mrs Stevens said there's been a wonderful response as 80 people were vaccinated when the clinic first opened its doors.
She estimated over 300 people would have had their vaccinations since the clinics started in April, a huge effort given according to the 2016 Census, Comboyne has a population of 454 people.
Comboyne Takeaway owner Leonie McKenzie said her business hasn't been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic as much as others.
Her business is different from others in the bigger centres as her customers are mainly local people and those travelling for work.
"The tourists are a bonus for me," she said.
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