General News
22 October, 2025
An old gum and some fruit trees becomes a special 'oasis'
Wedderburn's annual open gardens is this Sunday ... Vicky and Andrew Bainbridge take a walk through their garden
THERE were four fruit trees and an old gum tree up the back when Vicky and Andrew Bainbridge moved into their Wedderburn home in 1985.
The yard had once been pitted with mine shafts and the local baker later built his house on the Hospital Strreet block.
The Bainbridge’s early efforts to establish a garden were going well until the Millennium Drought.
As Vicky says: “That’s when most things died.”
For the last two decades, the couple have redeveloped their garden, blending into a native vista deep in the back yard, now complete with a higher fence to keep out kangaroos and wallabies.
“We re-established a lot of planting during COVID and the garden has really flourished since then,” they said.
The Bainbridges will be one of six local properties opening the gates for this month’s Wedderburn Open Gardens.
“Every garden is so different, all offering ideas on what can be done in your own garden,” Vicky said.
Andrew has spent the last few weeks putting finishing touches to garden beds around their home.
Some of those little jobs that had been put aside while planting and nurturing their own garden.
“We’ve redone the pond and earlier pulled out old sleepers and replaced them with a drystone wall,” he said.
“We’ve finally finished some edging and even reinstated the fernery.”
Vicky describes their garden as an oasis. “The soil around here is poor and the frosts can be tough on plants,” she said. “It’s amazing what you can do with of enthusiasm and grow our own little microclimate.
“Wedderburn has some amazing gardens. It’s good to share ideas.”
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