More than 500 visitors from far and wide came to the annual Riversdale Rare Plants and Gardeners Fair on November 5. The fair showcased Goulburn’s proud heritage and community spirit on what was a fantastic cool and cloudy day in our gardens at their best, with great stalls, tours, food and drinks. In a welcome sign of triumph, right on cue in the early afternoon, three early 20th century bi-planes flew in formation overhead, with one doing a special victory roll right above!
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Annual fair
November is perhaps the absolute loveliest month and what a show the place turned on for the fair. A special thanks to Ros Loftus and Dawn Giles and all the wonderful volunteers who have delivered Goulburn its award-winning heritage gardens, as well as the scores of stall holders and masses of people who came out in support. There were wheelbarrow loads of plants sold with some stall holders selling out; talks and tours, all of which were well attended; and the Victorian Christmas displays, just beautiful.
Car boot sale
A reminder that Riversdale’s next Car Boot Sale is this Sunday, November 19. As usual there’ll be a barbecue, Devonshire Teas, the gardens and gift shop and usual tours. A fun day out: for sellers it’s just $10 a boot/trailer to set up, so please call Judy on 0408 490 252 if you’d like a space. For shoppers, public entry is free to the grounds, so why not go find a bargain or simply enjoy a Devonshire Tea and help support Riversdale.
Christmas presents
Goulburn’s only National Trust shop has been stocked up for the festive season with a large range of new special items and treats for Christmas gift-giving. Remember, all sales go to help Riversdale twinkle. A National Trust Membership would make a fantastic gift that will give all year round.
Unearthing treasures
This special exhibition is to return in March 2018 due to popular demand. Our intrepid volunteer ‘Hawkeye’ Vickii O’Shea, working with others in Riversdale’s fields, has over the years found a veritable treasure trove of fascinating items, pottery shards, and household materials that will again be arranged in various displays. Discovered after digging trenches, moving plants or general gardening, they give a fascinating personal link back to those who made Riversdale their home over the centuries.
New works
Riversdale is excited to have the first of the new works start next week under the State Government’s heritage grant.
The works will be for repairs to gutters, the roof and taking water away from the house before work starts on the interior of the house next year, to finally attack the rising damp and upgrade wall treatments.
This work will not disrupt opening times or the quality of your visit. Indeed, have a chat and see how this specialist work is undertaken to help Riversdale last at least another 180 years.
- Riversdale Homestead (National Trust NSW) is at 2 Twynam Drive, North Goulburn, and open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10am-2pm; Sunday, 10am- 3pm. Phone: 48214741
