Heritage gardens open for flying doctors

One of the oldest gardens in the State will open to the public this month in a bid to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Birchfields in Vasse has been cared for by the same family in three centuries after the original cottage and orchard was given to Mary Forrest when she married Henry Eagleton Reading in 1899.

The gardens have been extended through the years and now consist of 0.8ha of plant life including some of the original pear trees, a heritage vegetable garden, heritage rose garden and many rare species.

“It’s really unusual to have a garden open in March in this part of the world because of the harshness of the climate but we reckon our garden’s the garden for all seasons,” owner Ross Reading said.

Mr Reading said he and wife Kate chose to open the garden in conjunction with the Busselton Fundraising Committee of the RFDS because they appreciated the time they spent flying in and out of Busselton.

The service transferred 167 patients from Busselton Hospital last year alone.

“It’s amazing how much work they do,” he said.

The gardens will open on Sunday, March 17, from 10am to 4pm at 53 Kaloorup Road, Vasse, with tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

Entry is $6 for adults and free for under-15s, with refreshments $4.