Volunteers heartbroken after vandals wreak havoc on Wendy’s Secret Garden

Wendy Whiteley was forced to hose down damage after vandals targeted the much-loved Wendy’s Secret Garden – prompting calls for a major security upgrade at the site.

A photo showing some of the damage caused at Wendy's Secret Garden.

Reckless vandals have targeted Sydney’s much loved Wendy’s Secret Garden, causing heartbreak among dedicated volunteers who maintain the site.

There are calls for new security measures to be installed at the Milsons Point community garden after unknown perpetrators broke tables, chairs, handrails and uprooted plants on July 4.

The garden has been a five-decade long labour of love for renowned cultural identity Wendy Whiteley who first moved to the area with her late artist husband Brett in 1969.

Over the decades, Ms Whiteley and dedicated volunteers have transformed the site from a railway garbage dump into a beautiful garden that attracts thousands of Sydneysiders and tourists each year.

The ashes of Ms Whiteley’s husband Brett and their only daughter Arkie are scattered in the garden.

The garden has been a labour of love for Wendy Whiteley.

It is understood some of the furniture damaged by vandals had been donated by local residents.

Long term volunteer Ian Curdie has been left astounded by the act of vandalism which also included graffiti sprawled on sections of the garden.

North Sydney Council will consider boosting security at the site.

“We were horrified, I was conducting a tour of international tourists that morning so when this group of visitors to our lovely city saw this damage we were all taken aback in shock,” he said.

“(The vandals) also left off a fire extinguisher in the garden, and Wendy herself was having to hose down the foam from the plants.

“Wendy’s spent 30 years creating that garden for the community and to see this happen is just heartbreaking.

“We’re always finding bongs down there and sadly it’s becoming more common to see people these days having no respect for the community or the common interest, it’s all so selfish. Maybe I’m a grumpy old man, but something’s missing in society these days.”

Ian Curdie is among the dedicated volunteers who care for the site.

The garden is a drawcard for Sydneysiders and tourists.

A North Shore Police spokesman said police were aware of the incident however “are not currently investigating the matter”.

North Sydney councillor Ian Mutton is calling for the council to increase security measures in and around the garden.

“Wendy Whiteley has invested a huge amount of money and tremendous amount of effort to create the garden and be an asset for our community and to see it just vandalised for seemingly no reason is just astounding,” Mr Mutton said.

“The garden has a great sentimental value for the community and people don’t understand why anyone would want to destroy it.

“Hopefully if we can install some new CCTV cameras and lighting it would act as a deterrent.”