Guide Dogs NSW/ACT join Tulip Time
More than 100,000 bulbs are set to transform the Shire’s public gardens in a blaze of colour in just three months as part of this year’s Tulip Time celebrations.
Whilst the public festivities don’t officially start until mid-September, planning for this year’s event started in earnest in late April with the official bulb dig in Bowral’s Corbett Gardens.
Joining Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Acting General Manager Ann Prendergast for the dig were students from Year 6 of Bowral Public School and this year’s joint Tulip Time and Guides Dog NSW/ACT Ambassador, local funny man Anthony Ackroyd.
Following the launch, Council’s Parks and Gardens staff took over the job of planting the remaining 80,000 bulbs and 12,000 annuals throughout Bowral’s premier public garden.
The remaining tulips were spread across Winifred West Park in Mittagong, Moss Vale’s Leighton Gardens and along Bong Bong Street in Bowral.
“Last year we had a fantastic response to our program and floral displays,” Ms Prendergast said. “This year, Council’s Destination Southern Highlands team have taken the best bits from last year’s itinerary and incorporated some fantastic new initiatives.”
“And now that Guide Dogs NSW/ACT have come on board as this year’s charity partner, we believe September’s Tulip Time celebrations will be the most successful to date.”
The 2014 Tulip Time festival will run from 13 September to 6 October and for the first time will include the Food and Wine Festival.
Corbett Gardens will open for 13 days between 16 September and 28 September for the traditional floral displays.
Guide Dogs NSW/ACT train people with impaired vision to use canes, canines and electronic aids to improve mobility, independence and safety.
For more information visit www.guidedogs.com.au.
This article was published in the winter 2014 issue of Wingecarribee Today.