Connecting Country’s Birthday Picnic in the Gardens

Posted on 30 November, 2017 by Tanya Loos

On Tuesday 28 November 2017, members and staff of Connecting Country from past and present gathered to share delicious food and reflect on our tenth birthday!

The weather was kind to us, and we had a relaxed gathering in the shade of deciduous trees and the lee of the Castlemaine Tea Rooms. The food was ‘bring a plate’, enhanced by a generous donation of silky goats cheese from from the Holy Goat Farm. Thanks Ann-Marie and Carla!

After the lovely picnic, Bernard Slattery, Beth Mellick and Brendan provided some entertaining speeches about the formation of Connecting Country ten years ago. At this point, Brendan quite rightly acknowledged founding member Marie Jones for her past, present and ongoing kindness and stewardship of all of us at Connecting Country. Thank you, Marie!

Brendan gave Krista, our former Co-director, a gift to say thanks for her time at Connecting Country, and Marie presented new director Frances Howe with a gift too – a passing of the baton!

Jane Rusden created a wonderful tree for us to write little messages on each of the leaves – thank you Jane!

Many thanks to all who attended this relaxed and lovely celebration – and thanks also to the many people who sent in apologies or dropped in to wish us a happy birthday!