Their programme on our notice board announced a study day on The Japanese Garden at the time I would be visiting Melbourne. I met Sue Rintoul (Hon. Sec.) when she visited us in February and she gave me contact numbers. However, organisation was difficult and I eventually found the phone better than the computer! I spoke with Jill Swann (Chairman) who gave precise instructions on the location and invited us to lunch afterwards – an innovation they propose to continue. Jill had just returned from attending a National meeting of ADFAS where they are told what overseas speakers/tours have been arranged. They are then able to arrange the rest of their programme, few on art as this doesn’t encourage the Australian male to attend!
The speaker was John Patrick, a well known ABC TV presenter, horticulturalist and garden designer. He is to lead a tour to Japan in October/November to see these gardens, plus several palaces, temples and art galleries. He gave an excellent and well illustrated talk which showed the differences between different types of garden, and emphasized the point that they are designed as oases of peace and tranquillity (unlike the European).
At lunch my friend and I were seated with Jill, Helen Armstrong (Chairman at the time our ‘twinning’ was set up) and the speaker so had time for further questions. In fact, he moved around each table after lunch to speak to each group. As a result of this my friend hopes to join her local DFAS though the wait is some two years.
Best wishes were sent to our society from all members, some of whom may visit in the future.
Denise Barrett
Reported: Saturday 27 March 2010
