EVENT ORGANISER: Janet Doolin’s working farm operates as a market garden supplying local residents, restaurants and retail outlets with fresh produce. The farm was open to the public on Saturday with hundreds of people taking the opportunity to visit.
PICTURESQUE: Danika Myers and Tanisha Sharp of Bermagui found a shady spot to devour their lunch.
SCARECROWS: Dalice Partridge of Cobargo with some of her many creations including her children Bethany and Melody.
TASTY TREATS: Linda Sang tantalised the tastebuds of Julie Roberts and Catherine McEwan while whipping up rice paper rolls.
GET A GRIP: Shearer Scott Dibden taught Scarlet Leone how to take hold of a lamb.
SPRING LAMBS: Wendy Walsh and Jodie Griffiths snuck in a cuddle while Dylan and Aimee Walsh watched on.
CABBAGE KID: Cobargo’s Carley McMahon showed Iris around the brassicas.
FLOWER POWER: Little Henry Blackford hung out with mum Cassie King and poppy Chris King.
ARTISTS: Brenda Madden and Naomi Lewis of Cobargo Drawing Group drew many beautiful portraits on the day.
LAZY DAZE: Baby Oscar slept while mum Linda Applegren and brother Felix Mulcahy wandered the grounds of the farm.
THE varied and vibrant talents of the Cobargo community were showcased at the Cobargo Farm Open Garden Day and Spring Equinox celebration on Saturday.
The event was the initiative of Cobargo Farm’s Janet Doolin who, along with her father Bruce Holloway, transformed the 16-acre property from bare paddock to a picturesque and productive farm over the past 16 years.
Hundreds of visitors flocked to the farm on Saturday and were met with ideal weather, tranquil surrounds and a relaxed atmosphere.
The idea behind the open garden day was to encourage people to visit the farm and to celebrate the talents of the local community.
The inaugural event drew visitors from afar who explored gardens full of veggies, fruit and flowers with a short stroll to meet the chooks, piglets and lambs.
Various stalls graced the gardens and visitors meandered through the property exploring the blacksmithing, drawing, cooking, rope tying, shearing and spinning talents of the Cobargo community.
Homemade delights including ice-cream, preserves and scones accompanied locally-produced plants, jewellery, felting, pottery, woodwork and other crafts.
Local day-care carer Dalice Partridge facilitated a vibrant scarecrow workshop where children contributed to the creation of some rather eclectic specimens.
Cobargo RFS also came to the party and sizzled many a sausage to satisfy hungry visitors.
Cooking demonstrations were held by ex-Sydney chef Linda Sang who is now an integral member of the Cobargo community. Featuring ingredients from the farm Linda whipped up a variety of delicious treats; rice paper rolls, old-fashioned lemonade, lime and coconut cupcakes to name a few.
Cobargo Drawing Group members displayed their pure passion to draw and created many a portrait, free of charge, for sitters.
The event has been on the agenda for years and Janet has been flat chat getting organised over the past few months.
After the day’s success Janet is conjuring up thoughts of repeating the event four times a year, on each equinox and each solstice, enabling visitors to appreciate seasonal changes.
There has already been considerable interest from other Cobargo locals keen to be involved next time.
Janet is grateful of the incredible support received from the community and friends.
“The whole community has pulled together for this day,” Janet said.
“They are such a great bunch of people; I feel very fortunate.”
