By Callum Ludwig
A wonderful opportunity to support the Kids with Cancer Foundation at a local event is coming up.
The Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair and Garden Expo on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 April is hosting a number of events and activities with all proceeds from Saturday’s auction going towards the foundation, and rare and precious plants featuring on Sunday.
Former Gardening Australia host and radio personality Stephen Ryan will be the event’s MC and said it’s a great chance to support the foundation and pass around gardening knowledge.
“I will host the auctions, and it’ll be lots of high-end plants and gardening products, last year most of the products were at least $150 each,” he said.
“With the proceeds going to the Kids with Cancer foundation, it should be a good total.”
2023 is the 25th anniversary of the Kids With Cancer Foundation, having raised over $30 million nationwide since its inception.
Mr Ryan said the event is hugely beneficial for local growers.
“You’ve got suppliers from all over the state and some from interstate, the people who begin the process, not the retail end, so you’ve got the experts who know how to grow the plants and produce the products to talk to about them,” he said.
“It also gives them a chance to supply very special plants for their collections, last year I know we had some first-release plants that hadn’t been in the marketplace before.”
Gardening Australia’s Victorian presenter Jane Edmanson will also present on plant potting and join kids in their plant potting activity which supports the Kids with Cancer Foundation.
Ms Edmanson said it’s really important that children learn about the benefits of nature and gardening.
“If you can appreciate a flower, leaf or a beautiful tree, it’s really good for your health. It doesn’t matter when you start, you can be three or four or five years old, and you can keep going right till you’re 100,” she said.
“I filmed the other day with a lady who was 101, and she goes out in her garden every day, and she said that’s what keeps her alive.”
The Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair and Garden Expo will be held at 125 Quayle Road, Wandin.
Food and drink will be available and dogs on a lead are welcome.
