General News
18 May, 2026
Little time for garden naps
THERE are days when Lazar Rodil is so consumed in his garden that he forgets to have lunch and an afternoon nap. The Tarnagulla Fire Brigade volunteer says he can spend hours tending plants, creating cuttings and enjoying the best of outdoor living.
By CHRIS EARL
THERE are days when Lazar Rodil is so consumed in his garden that he forgets to have lunch and an afternoon nap.
The Tarnagulla Fire Brigade volunteer says he can spend hours tending plants, creating cuttings and enjoying the best of outdoor living.
“If the sun’s out, I’ll pot around in the garden all day,” he said.
“Sometimes I forget about having lunch and then it’s alrfeady 4pm and to late to have an afternoon nap.”
Lazar was part of the brigade team helping at this month’s annual chrysanthemum show at Laanecoorie.
He had spent several weeks putting plants and succulents to sell at the show and raise money for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal.
“I used to be on the catering team but now I’m glad to be taking the greenery from the garden to the show stall,” he said.
“The easy-growing plants were really popular this year ... even one of the judges bought some.
“But people have been a bit cautious when it comes to succulents.
Lazar has been living in Tarnagulla for the past eight years, coming to Australia from his native Yugoslavia in 1968.
“I pot plants and cacti for my own garden and what we do to raise money for the Good Friday Appeal,” he said.
The chrysanthemum show is the biggest weekend for the sale of Lazar’s green creations.
“I think this year was the busiest have ever had. It’s was busy from the moment people arrived and about one third of the stock was sold within a couple of hours,” he said. “Stock has been flying off the table.
“And I enjoy the stall being set up outside the hall ... just like being in the garden.”
Lazar is part of the contemporary history of the hall - the Laanecoorie Mechanics’ Institute built in 1890, the same year construction of a weir across the nearby Loddon River was completed.
Lazar said he also enjoyed meeting fellow green thumbs were flock to the chrysanthemum show each year. “I have many great conversations.”
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