Expo on the lake

By Jim Mynard
WILSON Botanic Park’s Anniversary Lake will be a blaze of colour next weekend when flower growers, landscapers, and horticulturalists from far and wide set up exhibitions for Garden Expo 2005.
Anniversary Lake is one of the magnificent focal points in the park and is the starting point for walking tracks to lookout points with spectacular views, a children’s play area, and free electric barbecues.
Products on display to tempt the home gardener will include trees, shrubs, plants, ceramics, water features, paving, landscaping, garden furniture, gazebos, shade sails and screens, instant lawn, gutter projections, garden equipment.
Casey mayor Neil Lucas will break with tradition when he officially opens the expo at noon on Saturday, 22 October.
Cr Lucas will dispense with the usual opening speech and visit each of the 38 displays to thank exhibitors for their support.
Refreshments will be available all day with lots of shade and shelter for any kind of weather.
School children can enter a competition that will take them around the 50hectare park to find answers.
Each day one student will receive a $100 voucher sponsored by the K mart Garden Supercentre at Fountain Gate.
Admission is free, but a gold coin donation towards the park’s development would be appreciated.
The expo will be open from 9am to 4pm each day and a free bus shuttle will operate to and from Monash University on Clyde Road.