Community & Business
27 November, 2025
45 years in bloom
On Saturday, the Pittsworth Garden Club celebrated 45 years of green thumbs and great memories, launching an anniversary book which captures the fun, friendships, activities and good deeds of the Club throughout the decades.
The day was a celebration of community, and undoubtedly created many fond memories for those who gathered to appreciate the success of the Pittsworth Garden Club.
With President Valerie Hohn at the helm, there were certainly plenty of laughs and fun had by the nearly 70 people in attendance.
Just after 10am, Mrs Hohn opened the festivities with the cutting of the anniversary cake, made by Loretta Naumann (Club Treasurer).
A mix up in the diary, meant Toowoomba Region Mayor and Mayoress Geoff and Lisa McDonald, missed the cutting of the cake but arrived in time to launch the book and enjoy a delightful lunch.
“It is my absolute pleasure and privilege to officially launch the Pittsworth Garden Club Celebrating 45 Years 1980-2025 and wish you all the best for the next 45 years,” Mayor McDonald said.
“For those that are here, let’s celebrate all that we have and all that will be, because there’s plenty more years left in the Pittsworth Garden Club.”
The Mayor touched on things that were making headlines in 1980 - a hit song Call Me by Blondie, movie bestseller Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Queensland crushing New South Wales in the first State Of Origin, and the series premiere of MASH.
Who could have guessed that old episodes featuring Hot Lips Houlihan would still be making appearances on our television screens today!
“1980 was a big year for all those things but more importantly, it was a massive year for the Pittsworth Garden Club because that’s when it started,” Mayor McDonald said.
He acknowledged the hard work of the executive committee in preparing such a special day.
Mrs Hohn thanked the members of the community who showed an interest in the Club and assisted with the publication of the anniversary book, including Ros Scotney OAM, Belinda McKinlay, Helen Miller (Club Secretary) and The Pittsworth Sentinel.
“Thank you to members and past members for your stories, and making it a darn good read,” she said.
There’s one name that sticks out significantly in the book, that of founding Garden Club member, Val Draydon, who was President of the Club for 28 years.
“Basically since 1986 to 2017, Val Draydon has been the heart and soul of this beautiful Garden Club,” Mayor McDonald said.
He jested that those named ‘Val’ have received extended periods of time as President of the Club, and warned that any Vals in the audience could be next in line.
Mrs Hohn called Mrs Draydon her “partner in crime” and acknowledged another founding member, Gay Kearey.
“Their good deeds are too numerous to mention but can be read about in the book!” she said.
Unfortunately, Mrs Kearey was unable to attend on the day.
The guest speaker for the event was Shona McIntosh from Goondiwindi.
She talked about her passion for plants and gave insight into her work as a garden consultant.
Mrs McIntosh finished her talk by explaining there are no gardening mistakes only experiments, and said, “a garden, like all of us, only gets better with age.”
Representatives from the Millmerran Garden Club, Margaret Dalton and Helen Antonio were privileged to be seated at the top table.
They have each been involved in their Club for over 50 years.
Before lunch was served, Mayor McDonald wished everyone a merry Christmas and encouraged them to pick up the phone this festive season and call someone they may not have spoken to for a few years to check in and see how they’re doing.
With the anniversary celebration now complete, the Garden Club will focus on its Christmas Party which is to be held at Brookstead Hotel on Tuesday, 2nd December at 10am.
It’s best if you have the correct lunch money in a named envelope to make the Treasurer’s job easier.
An Aussie barbecue is on the menu and there will be prizes for best dressed (serious or funny both accepted).
The bus will leave from the Short Street bus stop at 9.30am sharp.
There is an optional exchange of gifts to the value of $20, and don’t forget to wear your name badges!
