On what was originally a 16-acre hobby farm - and surprisingly, out of town - the Orange community got behind the idea of creating a botanic garden, particularly for education opportunities. The Friends of the Orange Botanic Gardens (FOBG) was formed in 1985 and with the help of Council and many-a volunteer, it has become what it is today, a central hub for our green thumbs.

Susan Sanders was a Pharmacist living in England, before moving to Australia where she then studied to become a Horticulturist. “I wanted to get involved with helping propagation and I thought FOBG would be very interesting in my line of work, so I worked and volunteered my time as well,” said Susan.

Time flies when you’re having fun, Susan has now been a ‘Friend’ for over 20 years now and has taken on the role of President.

“My Father and Grandfather were green thumbs, I think they may have inspired me to some degree. I can remember when I was a little girl, we had a big garden but that was only for trees and flowers, my Father wanted a vegetable garden, so he hired a lot across the road from where we lived, I used to go over there with my dolly and pram and pick the rhubarb and the peas and anything I could find,” Susan laughed.

“I used to have a Vineyard on Mount Canobolas, with a big garden. Now I’m in town with a small garden. Despite the size, it’s a place of reflection and it keeps me busy. You never know what’s going to pop up as little bulbs appear, it’s lovely to see. It attracts the bees, it attracts the birds. What more could you want?” Susan smiled.

Clematis are my favourite flower, they are a climber and they prefer a cool climate, but like the sun at the top. I would have to say Autumn is my favourite season, it’s a more settled period, the colours are beautiful. Spring can be very erratic I find, it can be stormy and cruel.

Susan added, “Now that I’m retired, FOBG is a real social outlet for me. We are doing a good job here, we have a sale twice a year (this year we had to cancel) and we raise money for projects in the gardens to enhance the beauty of the gardens. We have a good time, we all get on together, we have delicious morning teas, and excitingly we’ve just extended our shed, which we’ve tried to modernise.

We’ve had to keep the gardens going throughout COVID-19, the plants need to be watered, so with 15 volunteers at the moment, we created a roster so people come in on different days. We are nearly all retired but we do get the odd person who’s working and comes in on their day off, though anyone is welcome to come along, there are no age restrictions.

A usual day for us can include anything from taking cuttings, sowing seeds, using the ‘hot house’ for propagation and then get them ready for the next sale.

The propagating team actually recently donated a large number of native plants to the Central West Landcare group who then distributed them to Farmers in need. Due to the severe drought conditions, many plants had been lost as farmers were unable to keep the water up to the plants.”

Having donated a fountain, seats and native plants to the Botanic Gardens in the past, the FOBG look forward to their next donation edition.

Susan’s Gardening tip: Don’t be too adventurous, grow something you love. Depending on what the winter is like, unless we go through a very, very dry period, hold back on the watering otherwise you will rot the roots.
Enquiries to Susan 0418 444 478.

Due to the cancellation of a recent sale, you can contact the FOBG team on Facebook, or contact Susan to make an appointment to purchase something you’ve had your eye on.