The last official HVB walk for the year and we ended up with 22 participants for this walk. After departing the meeting spot at Hornsby station, we admired the wall murals on the Western side of the station. We later passed the former home of horticulturalist Dr. Max Cotton, who was responsible for the creation of the Lisgar Gardens. He purchased the land in 1917 and as well as creating terraces, ponds and various collections of plants, he established a large camellia collection (over 72 varieties) with the help of his friend Professor Eben Gowrie Waterhouse over many years. Some of the original plantings remain in the garden today. Later Hornsby Shire Council bought the property in 1967 and opened it to the public a year later.
Hornsby Station meetup
Walkers admiring murals
Butcher mural
Max Cotton, B.Sc. 1887 - 1967
Creator of Lisgar Gardens
Former House of
Max Cotton in Hornsby
On entering the Lisgar Gardens, we saw both a Water Dragon sculpture and then a live Water Dragon was sunning nearby. The Camellia Flower sculptures were also a delight. We enjoyed morning tea in a delightful level section within the gardens. I tried to spot the Lyrebird that was present here on the recce, but she was not to be found. After morning tea, we visited The Glade (a shade house with ponds and colourful fish). From there we walked a small section within the gardens and viewed the steep steps down to the valley (no hand rails), which we avoided taking. We then retraced our steps and exited the gardens on our entry point.
Entering Lisgar Gardens
Water Dragons - sculpture and live
Walkers pass the
rustic Camellia sculptures
Developed by Max Cotton
and still growing in the gardens
Elizabeth by the
waterfall
Down to Morning Tea
One group enjoying Morning Tea
The Glade
Exploring the Lisgar Gardens after Morning Tea
Birds Nest "crown"
We then headed to Reddy Park, where we did a circuit walk through rare Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest (STIF) before sitting down to have our lunch. Only 0.5% of this forest type still remains in Sydney. The City of Canada Bay council and local volunteers are still involved today in a project which started in the early 1990s to restore STIF bushland in Concord's Queen Elizabeth II Park.
Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest at Reddy Park
Reddy Park lunch groups
Most of the group in front of the Turpentine trees at Reddy Park
Lisgar Gardens are also known as 'The Secret Gardens' and on reflection, it would be nice to re-visit the gardens when the camellias are in bloom. Many of us finished off with afternoon tea at the elegant Blu Eatery cafe at Hornsby.
Leaders: Helen A and Colleen
Walkers: Anne G, Anne R, Cherry, Chris B, Christine M, Colleen (co-leader), Dennis, Don Wo, Elaine, Elizabeth, Helen A (leader), Helen R, Karen, Lyn, Margaret P, Martin, Nick B, Robyn Ma, Robyn Mi, Tim, Vreni, Wendy P
First Aid: No-one assigned
Tail Ender: Karen
Photos: Anne R (15), Christine M (8, 13, 16, 18), Colleen (3, 7, 9, 12), Don Wo (1, 2, 5, 6, 11, 14, 17), Helen A (4), Robyn Mi (10)
Words by: Colleen