mcCr Garden Party for 2018 was held on 10th November in the stunning garden of Sally-Ann and John Cottle, Shirley. Shirley is a sheep and cattle property between Nimmitabel and Bombala. It has a higher than usual rainfall than most properties on the Monaro enabling the garden to thrive even throughout years of drought in the region. The Shirley garden has been developed over three generations of the one family, with the original garden design being laid out by Claude Crowe in the late 1930’s. The magnificent lake at the bottom of the garden, overlooked by the homestead was created by George Taylor, John’s grandfather in the early 1950’s and is home to numerous water birds including swans, moorhens and several species of ducks. John and Sally-Ann Cottle, the current custodians, decided to undertake a major renovation in 2006 and commissioned Melbourne landscape designer Paul Bangay to assist them. While wanting to retain the work of those who went before them they also wanted to incorporate their love of European garden design. Shirley is truly an oasis in the vast Monaro plains with 7 acres of lush, green, expansive lawns, magnificent, mature trees, a parterre garden and the spectacular lake set in the Monaro landscape.
Once again the mcCr committee would like to thank the businesses that donated to the event and our generous community for again supporting us in our attempt to make the lives of cancer sufferers a little easier.
