This holiday season Garden Village shares thanks with everyone who has supported our community in 2022. Special gratitude to the Garden Village Auxiliary Committee and volunteers who raise funds in a myriad of ways to support people in Aged Care.
Garden Village Auxiliary recently welcomed a new President Maggie Searle, this October. Maggie moved to Garden Village in 2018 and is actively involved in village life. The Auxiliary Committee has a strong tradition of supporting the community with events and donations.
Born and raised in Australia the youngest of seven, Maggie spent forty years living in South Africa with her husband before moving to New Zealand to be closer to their grandchildren.
In New Zealand, Maggie taught the practice of Ikebana flower arranging, an art which uses the principle of ‘less is more’ to create space and beauty.
Maggie was chief designer for the Christchurch Festival of Flowers and created the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral floral carpets for five years. These strikingly creative displays stretched the full length of the Cathedral inspiring locals and visitors from around the world.
Today Maggie enjoys the warmer climate of beautiful Port Macquarie and continues her love of flowers creating occasional floral displays for special functions.
This year the Garden Village Auxiliary raised funds for trainee equipment and a bed to support family with a loved one in palliative care. They fundraise through raffles, special events, the GV Craft Group and the Garden Village Op Shop which is open to the public Wednesday and Thursday weekly and one Saturday a month. The committee welcomes new volunteers whose experience and ideas shape the future of Garden Village.
All donations are greatly appreciated and support the volunteer efforts of the Garden Village Auxiliary who fundraise for people with high care needs.
A big thank you to Maggie, the Committee, volunteers and community who have all given generously this year through donations, gifts in kind and volunteer hours. Garden Village wishes everyone a very happy holiday.
Pictured Left to right: Yvonne Armstrong, Maggie Searle, Barbara Hile, Sue Barnes, Helen Brown, Patricia Light. Photographer @GoodHeartStudio_
