Castlemaine artists Catherine and Neil Tait will have their sprawling McKenzie Hill garden ‘Stringy Bark Hill’ open for the 17th biennial Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens, which kicks off this weekend.
Proceeds of the entry will be donated to Regional Community Vet Clinic.
The RCVC is a cause close to the local couple’s hearts and they are passionate about supporting this innovative new service and worthy cause.
Catherine said RCVC was the first not-for-profit veterinary clinic in regional Victoria, run exclusively by volunteers.
“Once opened RCVC’s new permanent clinic at 4 Midland Highway Castlemaine (the former Rodilesa Nursery) will provide at cost veterinary care to disadvantaged regional Victorians who are the recipients of a full government support pension,” she said.
“RCVC was founded on the basis that pets play a vital role in the health and happiness of their owners and we couldn’t agree more.”
RCVC provide preventative veterinary treatment to companion animals, focusing on keeping pets and their people healthy, happy and together.
It also offers an outreach service to older adults to care for their companion animals when they are no longer able to due to failing health, RCVC volunteers walk and groom dogs, feed and groom cats, medicate pets when the owners are no longer able due to mobility or failing memory.
The RCVC volunteers also provide friendship via the love of an animal to often lonely isolated older community members. Their outreach service is available to all older or disabled residents regardless of financial circumstances.
Catherine and Neil Tait have transformed three hectares of neglected, overgrazed bushland into a haven of natural bush incorporating an extensive indigenous planting and an artistic garden setting. Visitors to the garden will have a chance to enjoy Neil’s sculptures and Catherine’s artistic touch.
The garden will be open from 10am – 4pm daily from November 2-10 and can be found at 1761 Pyrenees Highway, McKenzie Hill, enter via Willy Milly Road.
Entry $5 per adult, children free.
Stella Tait looks forward to welcoming guests to the RCVC open garden fundraiser.
