Barry and Lorraine Young at Amanda’s Garden in Southern River. Photo: Andrew Ritchie.
Camera IconBarry and Lorraine Young at Amanda’s Garden in Southern River. Photo: Andrew Ritchie. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Amanda’s Garden in full bloom ahead of annual opening

Ben SmithCockburn Gazette

MORE than two decades after it first opened, Southern River’s ultimate labour of love will once again open its doors to the public.

The 21st annual Amanda’s Garden Fete will be held this weekend to raise money for the Amanda Young Foundation in the fight against meningococcal disease.

It is the only time the popular garden, tucked away in a rural pocket of the growing suburb, is open to the public.

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For owners and foundation founders Barry and Lorraine Young, the garden was borne out of the shock of their daughter Amanda’s death from meningococcal.

Mrs Young said the garden began as a coping mechanism, to distract themselves after their daughter passed away.

“It gave us a reason to get up. After Amanda died we were absolutely devastated,” she said.

“We used to get out and work in the garden until we were dog tired.

“By the time you finished, you were ready to go to sleep and you didn’t have time to think about what had happened. It helped us.”

Mr Young said the garden fete’s success over the past 20 years had sustained the memory of Amanda and continued to raise awareness about the danger posed by the disease.

“We’re just passionate about Amanda and keeping her memory alive,” he said.

With all funds going towards the foundation and 2000 people expected to visit over the weekend, Mrs Young said the fete was a good way to raise awareness about meningococcal.

“People keep asking us, how long are we going to keep going? And we say ‘as long as we can,’” she said.

“The spirit is still there but the flesh is getting weaker.”

Amanda’s Garden Fete will run from 10am-4.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Among the food and drink on offer is a sausage sizzle run by Gosnells Rotary Club, Devonshire tea, homemade strawberry jam, cream and scones, tea and coffee and an array of homemade preserves and sauces.

There will also be an art show and live music throughout the weekend. Entry to the garden is $5 for adults and free for children.Amanda’s Garden in full bloom ahead of annual opening

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