Welcome in Spring with the Secret Garden’s Scarecrow Fair
By Sophie Poredos
The Scarecrow Fair is back on again this year on Saturday the 14th of September at The Secret Garden & Nursery. Visitors can expect a fun-filled day out featuring farmyard animals, artisan market stalls and prizes for the most creative Scarecrow.
The Secret Garden & Nursery, a not-for-profit disability support program provided by NorthWest Disability Services, offers clients a variety of programs designed to build confidence and life skills.
Nestled within the Western Sydney University Campus in Richmond, this community hub provides opportunities for its clients to develop customer service and hospitality experience, particularly at the cosy One Mile Kitchen.
Caroline Cunningham, Assistant Coordinator & Secret Garden Events Coordinator for NWDS, has over 15 years experience in her role in disability advocacy and looks forward to the Spring Scarecrow Festival every year.
She was drawn to working in the disability support sector when she was recommended by a friend to give it a go: “I hadn’t ever thought about working in disability until someone recommended volunteering at Opal Cottage. I went along and had no idea what I was getting myself into and after the first week, despite my nerves, I fell in love with it. Working in disability support is a very rewarding career”.
Originally inspired by the Scarecrow Trail in Kurrajong, Caroline introduced the concept of a ‘Scarecrow Competition’ to the Secret Garden in 2019. As the Event Coordinator since 2018, she has seen The Secret Garden thrive through its two other annual events, the Autumn Fair and the Christmas Fair.
Attendees may have noticed that the recent Spring Scarecrow Fair combined the previous ‘Spring Fair’ and ‘Scarecrow Festival’ into one celebration. Caroline, however, shares why this fair still holds a special place in her heart:
“These events are very important in bringing the community together. It’s such an amazing family day out with a range of markets and artist wares available, showcasing the work of our local community and clients themselves.
We try to have diversity on what our markets have on offer and that there is something for everyone. When the weather is pleasant, we can get anywhere from 600 to 1000 visitors!”
Community events and fundraising are integral to supporting The Secret Garden and its various disability programs and workshops. On the day, all funds raised will be directly reinvested into the Garden’s programs such as its Plant Propagation, Mate’s Shed, Opal Cottage, Candle-Making (whose products will be sold at the markets) and their beloved Therapy Animals.
Caroline encourages locals to pull up their sleeves and get creative with the scarecrow competition, offering a range of prizes to the best in each category including: Disability Service/Organisation, Pre-School, Primary School, High School, Aged Care Facility, Business and Independent/ Individual. Applications are still open, with visitors encouraged to ask for an application form and copy of the competition rules, by emailing [email protected].
“I really want to encourage people to enter into our scarecrow competition, because for businesses, it can be used for advertising as well!” Caroline said.
On the day, The One Mile Café will be offering tea and scones, as well as delicious wood-fired pizzas cooked in their mud-brick Pizza ovens. The Rotary Club of Kurrajong North Richmond will also be firing up the BBQ, often volunteering at the event every year. For anyone who is free on the day, Caroline expressed her hope in seeing more numbers to make the event bigger and better:
“Volunteers are always welcome on the day – it’s a very big day and the more we have the merrier! We are particularly looking for helpers in our Café and Plant Sales”.
The event will be held on Saturday the 14th of September from 9 am to 2 pm. You’ll be able to find the merry festivities at Clydesdale Lane, Western Sydney University Campus in Richmond (enter via Londonderry Road). There is a $2 entry donation (cash only) to raise funds for the Secret Garden’s various initiatives.
