With Australia Day 2019 just over a month away, Lower Blue Mountains Rotarians have announced details for the ‘great garden gnome muster’.
Rotary Gnome Masters David Cook and Trevor Lloyd have expressed concern that too many gnomes have been left in lonely, isolated gardens in recent years and missed the opportunity of socialising with their colleagues at the Australian Gnome Convention in Glenbrook Park on Australia Day.
Gnome welfare officers have been conducting garden inspections and found a classic example of a lonely gnome in the front yard of noted Lapstone gardener Russell Sheppeard.
Grenach Gnome was delighted to see the welfare officer and even more pleased when his minder, Russell, agreed to arrange for his attendance at the convention on January 26.
Gnome Master David urged all Lower Mountains residents to make an effort to treat their gnomes to a day out on Australia Day in January.
“Gnomes can be billeted overnight at Gnomeville on Glenbrook Park – or dropped off by 8am on Australia Day. There is also a gnome doctor and tailor/dressmaker available on site to provide ‘makeovers’ where necessary,” said Gnome Master Trevor.
He will welcome large numbers of gnome “visitors” this year – all very original and colourful – who will be available for placement in the gardens of approved gnome minders throughout the Mountains.
Rotary’s Australia Day Committee Chairman Drew Fitzpatrick stated this week that the 2019 Australia Day celebration seems certain to be one of the best for many years.
“We have already had inquiries from a record numbers of food stalls – offering variety of international cuisines – not to mention commercial, cultural and community booths. Popular entertainment booths and rides will be available again for children – along with the bush picnic athletic events and Springwood dogs in centre ring,” he said.