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Blooming contribution to a great cause

Generous: Echuca Horticultural Society members Sherril Francis, Cheryl Lee and Rosemary Peat. Photo by Michael Lloyd

Little pots of colour have been donated by a dedicated team of volunteers to aid flood victims across the region.

Echuca Neighbourhood House and the Echuca Horticultural Society were at the heart of the plant giveaway, which took place on Thursday, June 15.

Green thumb: Echuca Neighbourhood House flood co-ordinator Cheryl Lee with the plants.

ENH flood co-ordinator Cheryl Lee said it was a successful day.

“Many of the recipients were absolutely thrilled with the plants, some were even on the verge of tears. Some of the people would also send me messages of appreciation to my phone,” Ms Lee said.

There was a wide variety of plants, as well as brooms, mops and gumboots distributed to those in need.

Beautiful: A range of plants ready for donation.

EHS president Kim Wallace was happy with the hard work of the club members and their donations.

“In total we gave away about 150 plants to 30 recipients. We homed every plant, making this a very successful project for the club,” Mr Wallace said.

EHS member Sherril Francis said the volunteer group wanted to contribute to the event, and spent the past six months propagating plants.

“Over a few meetings the horticultural club discussed ways of helping the victims of last year’s floods,” Mrs Francis said.

“Over the six-month period, the members worked on plants from our gardens that could be separated and potted as individual cuttings.

“The club volunteered a total of a few hundred hours of their time, donating just over a hundred plants.”

Fellow EHS member Rosemary Peat also took part in the supply of free plants.

“The members of the horticultural club all made sure the plants were ready, ensuring the roots were well established,” Mrs Peat said.

“We look forward to making a further donation in September in Rochester.”