Media Release - Hartley Hill private garden opened to raise funds for HMRI

Monday 26th September 2005

Now that spring has arrived, garden lovers are invited to visit the exquisite gardens of Hartley Hill, a bushland sanctuary nestled within the Newcastle suburbs, on the former 1880's Hartley Hill Colliery site.

Owners Peter and Karen Vaughan are donating the proceeds from the annual public opening of their garden to the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI).

"Our first opening last year was so successful, raising $5000 for HMRI, that we hope to break the record this year. As our gardens grow and flourish each year, we hope the public's interest in both HMRI and Australia's natural environment will too," said Karen.

The individual gardens, native plants, trees and fauna have all thrived over the past year and there are some new additions. One of the new gardens is the Specimen Garden, which was integrated last year and after many trials, has bloomed to display a lovely array of flora that would normally not survive in Newcastle's environment.

Visitors can take a guided tour and learn about the sprawling gardens and bushland, its inhabitants and maintenance. This provides a first-hand opportunity for all garden buffs interested in the intricacies of growing a wildlife friendly garden.

The garden will be open on 8th and 9th of October from 10am till 3pm each day.

Admission into the garden costs $5 per person or $15 per family and bus parking is available. Native plants can be purchased and Devonshire tea is available.

Only open once a year, the opportunity to visit one of Newcastle's most stunning private gardens cannot be missed. If you visited in 2004, you'll be amazed at the changes that have taken place since!

For further information please contact: Kristy Bryant (HMRI Communications Officer) on 02 4921 4841