Dahlias for dementia a colourful success

The organising team comprising Karen Smales, Marge Paton, Annie Pryde, Rae Roadley and Kimberly Sinclair are thrilled to announce the Dahlias for Dementia Garden & House Tour 2020 was an unqualified success raising an astonishing $43,000, ‘far beyond our wildest dreams’ they say.

What began with the seed of an idea from Karen Smale to raise funds for a 14-bed dementia unit currently under construction at Riverview Resthome and Retirement Village in Maungaturoto, was quickly adopted by local businesses offering sponsorship and assistance.

Held on the weekend of February 22-23, 20 exceptional gardens from the township of Maungaturoto to beyond Matakohe, and seven homes, were readied and opened to the public who came from as far afield as Warkworth and Whangarei.

The weather gods played their part and a wide range of gardens were presented in splendid fashion. Lunches were available with cafe stops along the route providing rest and re-charging to those who needed it.

On behalf of the rest home, Albie Paton acknowledged a ‘tremendous effort towards a service that will benefit not only Maungaturoto but also the wider community’.

The garden of the former Smith homestead in Matakohe Wharf Road, now under stewardship of the Matakohe Museum. PHOTO/Libby Jones