Gardening Brigade
The Age
Saturday January 19, 2008
Volunteers are needed to tend sick people's gardens, writes Barry Revill.
ACOUPLE OF MONTHS ago a friend called by for a cup of tea. He explained he had not been able to visit due to a knee reconstruction, and worse, would not be able to play golf for some time. He then went on to explain the importance of golf to him - that when he played, he felt as if he was in the country - the smell of freshly mown grass, the laughter and conversation drifting through the trees. I have found myself reflecting upon this, because, due to a somewhat mysterious and very painful illness, I have not been able to get into the vegie patch as much as I would like.A large garden usually requires at least two people to keep things in check, otherwise fun and relaxation can turn into work, and that would never do, and a good vegie patch always needs something done to it. I have missed the early morning walks up the path to check on the saucers of beer to catch the snails. How I envied their happy faces.I have missed the walks to the garden where the 'Silver Princess' eucalypt is trying to make up its mind on matters of life and death. And a banksia, gnarled and proud, tells the world that if you want a tough plant, buy a banksia.As I lay on my back in hospital wondering about ceiling designs, a sweet young thing with the job title "needs assistant" asked me if I had any needs. I thought of The Goon Show and wondered whether she meant knees.We talked about her work and what she actually did. Her job is to find out what the situation is in your home, whether there is someone to cook meals etc.And then we started talking about our mutual interest in gardening and how she knew some people in hospital worried about their plants and how some sick children in particular worried about their gardens. Parents of sick children often have enough on their minds. What a lovely thought if there was a volunteer organisation to look after the gardens of sick people, especially children.
© 2008 The Age
