Friends of Yasmar (FoY) sub-committee of the Haberfield Association has been actively involved in restoring the garden which was last rejuvenated about 1990.

After years of negotiations, under the guidance of  (Australian Garden History Society's) Gina Plate, FoY started seriously in April 2018 weeding (incl asparagus fern), removing wisteria, stacking vegetable matte and in general fighting back the years of neglect.

In the first year Russell moved hundreds of date palm fronds, Gordon transformed a field of fleabane into an open space and with assistance from Therese, Lois was tireless in clearing the front area (known as Lois’ Line).  In October 2018 Angie joined and soon afterwards with Russell uncovered the sunken garden/fernery which was hiding under a mass of weedy vines.  In May 2019 an Open Day was held as part of the Australian Heritage Festival.  Over 350 visited, several volunteered to join the garden working group and most signed a “Save Yasmar Estate” petition which was lodged in August 2019.  By the end of 2019 the neglected garden regained its respect looking more like a historic Botanic Garden admired by staff and visitors who had seen it at its worse.

Working bees are from 9am to 12noon every Thursday with a morning tea break at 10:30am.

A plant stall was introduced in November 2020 and a Botanical Library was launched in February 2021.  Visitors are welcomed.

If you are inspired to help, and this is a very worthwhile enterprise, you need to join the Haberfield Association in order to be covered by insurance.

Entrance is at 124a Chandos Street, Haberfield.

Photo taken mid 2018 – Lois Knight, John Salmon, Dan Cross (Crown Land), Vince Crow, Russell Perrott.

October 2018 hosted by the Yasmar Yaks (staff in blue polo necks).

 

Morning Tea on September 2019 – around the table left to right:
John Salmon, Steve Lloyd, Angie Gallinaro, Gina Plate, Kevin Lucas,
Stephen Gates, Carolyn Murphy, Lois Knight.

In November 2020, a regular plant stall was introduced.  Funds raised will be used to buy metal tree labels to be produced by the Botanic Gardens at Mt Annan.

 

On 10^th December 2020, Jo Haylen MP Summer Hill presented the Haberfield Association with a $7,000 grant for a security fence around the sunken garden/fernery.

L-R: Jo Haylen, Angie Gallinaro, Lois Knight, Tracy Mulherin, Mary Merlino, Don Ball, Gina Plate, Kevin Lucas, Susanne d’Amato

 

In February 2021, Gina Plate donated over 25 books to start up
Yasmar’s Botanical Library.
Visitors can borrow and return books on Thursday mornings,
recording loans in the library register.