Palliative care patients and residents of Parkwood Uniting Care will soon be able to enjoy the tranquil setting of a beautiful new garden adjacent to their care facility in Prince Street.

Following a site inspection this week by Mayor of Orange Cr Reg Kidd and acting General Manager David Waddell at the proposed site, stakeholders the Rotary Club of Orange North, Uniting Care, and Orange push for palliative are working together to launch Stage 1 of the garden.

This will include preservation off the unique 100-year-old Californian Redgum (Sequoia) tree on the north eastern corner of the site, new fencing, refurbishment of the existing garden rotunda, paving, lighting, and planting of advanced trees and shrubs.

Project co-ordinator and president of the Rotary Club of Orange North, Terry Hinchcliff said the club is delighted by the enthusiasm surrounding this community project.

“Our Rotarians are one hundred per cent behind the project and this will be an opportunity for the community to become involved in this garden which has already proved to be close to the hearts of many people in orange, “Mr Hinchcliff said.

Cr Kidd said Orange City Council is proud to continue its support of improved palliative care services for Orange.

“I can see this garden becoming a beautiful tranquil sanctuary for families and Parkwood residents, and after discussions on site this week, i am keen to throw my weight behind this project and offer the assistance of council, ’Cr Kidd said.

Orange push for palliative president Jenny Hazelton said the
group is thrilled the partnership will make the garden a reality in the near future.

“Our community has already been so generous in supporting
the palliative care beds at Parkwood, and this is just one more example of how important this service and facility is to Orange,”
Mrs Hazelton said.

Orange residents and the business community are being offered the opportunity to be involved and are encouraged to visit the Facebook page of the rotary club of orange north to register interest in becoming involved.

Parkwood Uniting Care successfully won the tender from NSW health earlier this year, to provide four dedicated palliative care beds to be funded by the local health district.

Uniting Care then undertook extensive refurbishment to provide four single ensuite rooms with associated adjacent family areas as part of a 12-month trial conducted under the Auspices of
NSW Health.

“This trial has had wonderful feedback from families who have used the facility for end of life care for their loved one, and the facility has been well supported by local  general practitioners and the palliative care team at Orange Health Service,” Mrs Hazelton said.

For further information contact the project Manager Terry Hinchcliff by emailing terryhinchcliffee@gmail.com.