In 2022, Waverley local Carrie Furneaux won first place in the Waverley Garden Awards for an innovative entry at her mother’s grave in Waverley Cemetery. Carrie's transformation of a forlorn and austere place with thriving native plants inspired and also moved the judges. The garden not only attracts native pollinators and bird species, but also attracts much interest from passersby for its beautiful way it honours the past, connects to the present and helps build resilience for the future, by caring for our local species. Now she is teaching keen volunteers how to weed, plant and propagate local plants at the cemetery. On this month's blog, she tells us all about it.
“Waverley Cemetery is filled with seasonal wildflowers, has a stunning sea view and a tranquil, robust landscape scattered with sandstone and marble angels where history and memories are interwoven with untamed nature. It’s the second largest open green space in Waverley, and I’ve been gardening here for about five years now.
"It gives me great joy gardening here where you can glimpse a small window into the lives of people passed, as well as nurture new life. Over five years the small plot I started with has grown and flourished, stretching down an aisle now filled with flowers and shrubs honouring the lives of others, as well as bringing new life, birds, butterflies, lizards and bees. There has been an incredible number of bees and birds visiting my flowers and in growing this garden, I have met so many lovely people, so many wanting to chat, some bringing or taking a cutting or just walking through. For me it has been a great place of serenity as well as inspiration and when I look out, I see so much more potential.
"With the support of Waverley’s volunteer coordinator, the ever-encouraging David Cutler, I recently started leading a volunteer gardening group in another area of the cemetery under a palm tree for shade, with magnificent views of the sea. Once a month our wonderful and enthusiastic volunteer team get together to bring back the small native birds and other wildlife and insects to this beautiful spot by planting Australian native plants.
"The plants, such as westringia, leptospermums and boronias, have been chosen to provide habitat for the smaller birds like the Superb Fairy Wren and New Holland Honeyeaters, which have been disappearing from our suburbs. The team has so much fun doing this, starting with eight plots, lots of weeding, digging and planting, stopping for cake and coffee, discussing our plans and experimenting with propagation. These activities are attracting people of all ages, and fostering community connections help to build resilience. Together we marvel at this spectacular place. It’s amazing how much joy this brings us.
"My hope for the future is to spread our wings stretching further to create wonderful habitats for flora and fauna and transforming the resting places of those long gone to a place of beauty, contemplation, reflection, a place for healing, joy and a home to our native species. The potential to make this transformation is endless.
"I encourage anyone who loves nature and history and working outdoors in a tranquil environment to join The Cemetery Gardening Volunteers. Currently we meet for 3 hours on a Sunday morning once a month. It’s social and fun, good exercise and heartwarming. Even just a few hours makes such a difference.
To get involved send an email to public gardening at Waverley or visit Waverley Council’s volunteer homepage and sign up as a volunteer.
To find Carrie’s Soulful Garden, use the Cemetery’s main entrance and walk down towards the ocean along Martin Ave, turn left on Kendall Rd and you’ll find it just before the Central roundabout.
About the author: Carrie is a painter, avid gardener and longtime Bronte resident.