Members of the Ashburton Garden Club have given funds to four Mid Canterbury organisations after officially winding-up their 73-year-old club.
The Kidney Foundation has received $1000, the Salvation Army for their community garden $500, the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopter Fund $438 and St Vincent de Paul $400.
Spokesperson Barbara Lischner said due to dwindling numbers and the roles of president, treasurer and secretary unable to be filled at the last annual general meeting, it was decided to wind up the club at the end of 2024. The funds available were those remaining in the club account.
‘‘Over the last few years, the numbers have dwindled to 24, with only about 12 to 14 active members,’’ she said.
‘‘A few members are still meeting on our club afternoon at local cafes for a get together and chat, and other members have joined other garden clubs in the town.’’
She said she had learned a lot about the club in recent weeks talking to members and reading over the minute books, since handed to the Ashburton Museum.
The garden club was formed in 1951 after a suggestion by the Horticultural Society.
Its inaugural meeting was held at the home of Mrs Strange in Chalmers Ave, on July 4. Officers were appointed; Mrs Jas Murdoch was president.
An annual subscription of 5 shillings was set. Initially meetings were held in members’ homes until the numbers became too large. By the end of the first-year membership was 70, and by 1991 there were 108 members with a waiting list to join.
Barbara said the club had met at various locations, including the Hearing Association Hall in Havelock St, Chartwell, Electricity Ashburton Kemp Lounge, Buffalo Lodge, and from 2007 at the Senior Centre in Cameron St.
‘‘Three years ago, on our 70th Anniversary we donated two park benches to Ashburton Domain, and over the 70 years we have also donated trees and plants to the domain.’’
One seat was installed near the rose garden and the other overlooking the duck pond.
Over the years the club has run a varied programme with monthly meetings including speakers and garden visits around the Ashburton area but there were many trips further afield.
‘‘In the 1980’s two 45-seater buses were filled for a trip to Governors Bay, and in 1992 some members joined with the Christchurch Horticultural Society’s bus trip to the North Island.
‘‘In 1997 a three-day trip to the West Coast was organised by Norma Galway, with a 45-seater bus filled. Over the years most of the South Island has been covered with garden trips.
She said in 2006 the club joined with the New Zealand Daffodil Association and the Ashburton Alpine Garden Club to hold the New Zealand Daffodil Show at the Ashburton Racecourse.
‘‘This was a wonderful garden extravaganza and a good fundraiser for our club. Following this we donated 200 daffodil bulbs to the Ashburton domain for planting,’’ she said.
Members have included two long serving ones, Norma Galway who joined in the 1980’s and made a life member in 1996, and Lois Bradley, appointed a Life Member in 2015 and became club patroness in 2021 following the passing of Mary Leighton.
In 2000 the membership stood at 40, but never came back to full strength following covid as many older members did not return, she said.
Numbers gradually faded and very few joined after 2021.
Barbara said at a recent get-together members discussed what to do with the remaining funds and decided to share them among local organisations.
There were a range of deserving organisations which were then voted on.
The largest value of $1000 went to the Kidney Foundation to help with the set-up of the much-needed new dialysis facility in Ashburton.
