Organisers have said about $6000 was cleared to go towards an upgrade of the patient lounge area at the hospital.

Canowindra Health Service Manager Janice Rumph said early plans for the upgrade has commenced and explained what it will involve.

“The garden club first approached me about fundraising for the hospital which we were very appreciative of,” Ms Rumph said.

“We nominated to upgrade the patient lounge area. That will be a fairly full renovation including the floor, painting, furniture, some entertainment. 

“We’ve started working on it but that’s only commenced planning.”

Those in attendance had first look at the newly completed Paul Bangay-designed Walled Garden and Western Courtyard.

The Western Garden includes a wisteria patio outdoor dining area with matching double doors at either end, one connecting to the main kitchen area and the other connecting to the Guest Wing kitchenette.

The brick paving in the Western Courtyard was laid by Canowindra craftsman Bill Scheer.

The area enclosed by the silverberry hedge has now been established as a Walled Garden, which was also designed by Mr Bangay.

Access from the northern end of the croquet lawn is through an archway built in a drystone wall styled by Mr Scheer to Mr Bangay’s design.

Mr Scheer also built the stone gate posts for the Sunrise Gates, adjacent to the Walled Garden. The stones are from near the Fish Fossil site and would therefore be more than 300 million years old.

Roses have been supplied by Luke Gordon of the Eureka Plants and many other shrubs and plants have been supplied by Chris Cuddy of Perennialle Plants. 

Ms Rumph described the day as spectacular.

“The day itself was really spectacular, just gorgeous and in a magnificent setting. A lot of work freely given by the garden club and hospital auxiliary,” she said.

“The weather wasn’t the best but there was a heap of people there. It was really special I was pleased to be able to go.”

She added that a quiet room will also feature in the renovated patient lounge area.