Open Gardens Australia scheme to close after 27 years of charity fundraising

A GARDENING organisation that donated millions to charities has been forced to shut down due to plummeting visitor numbers and revenue

Carol Kerkin and her husband John will hold an open garden on May 10. The garden has been a labour of love for over 30 years. Photo by Stuart Quinn.

A GARDENING organisation that donated millions to charities has been forced to shut down due to plummeting visitor numbers and revenue.

Not-for-profit group Open Gardens Australia will cease operating in 2015 after 27 years opening private gardens for public education across the country.

Visiting numbers to the gardens have taken a hit in recent years, believed to be because people have too little money and too much on their plate.

Over almost three decades, OGA opened nearly 20,000 gardens and raised more than $6 million from entry fees, donating to communities, environment and medical research groups and the CFA.

Chief executive Liz White said OGA considered raising the $8 entry fee for garden openings, but found families were already struggling with financial­ difficulties.

“Things are increasingly hard for households at the moment­, there was no capacity to increase the fee,” Ms White said.

“And I think a lot of people have so much to choose from these days, they’re too pushed for time.”

Closing the not-for-profit group brought a “huge amount of sadness” for workers and volunteers at the organisation, but Ms White said there was also pride.

“We have been a big part of creating a sharing and inclusive community of garden lovers, and inspired many gardeners to try new and innovative things in their own patch,” she said.

“We’re very proud of the legacy we’ve left in Australia.”

The closure will not affect the 22 garden openings planned across Victoria through until October 12.

Originally published as Open Gardens Australia scheme to close after 27 years of charity fundraising