May 5, 2023 2 min read

You Need A Garden For A Garden Fete!

Fetes, public fundraising to support ballet, tutus among the tulips. Back in the days when initiative was applied rather making a grant application.

Garden fetes, Spring Fairs, Strawberry Fairs, Games Nights, Progressive Teas - how money was once raised for public benefit.

The Age, 21.11.1952, Page 5
Ballet at Fete

Ballet Guild students dancing on the lawns will be a feature of a garden fete to be held tomorrow afternoon at 127 The Righi, Eaglemont, the home of Mrs. C. Meadmore, a member of the Ballet Guild.

Organised by the social group of the guild, of which Mrs. L. Pearson Is secretary, the fete is to raise money to help the guild carry on its work of giving young artists the opportunity of presenting new Australian ballets to the public.

Apart from the usual variety of stalls, there will also be a special entertainment corner for children with pony rides, lucky dips and doll dressing competitions.

The Herald, 04.12.1953, Page 16

Ballet of children

A CHILDREN'S ballet will be a special attraction at the garden fete which the Ballet Guild will hold at Eaglemont tomorrow.

Bargains for Christmas will be available at fancy goods, sweets and jams and children's stalls. Afternoon tea will be served.

The fete will be opened at 2 p.m., and cars will leave the Eaglemont station from 1.50 to 3 p.m.

Further details can be obtained from Mrs R. Wilson at WB2467.

(Another snippet of Eaglemont history from Nilss)

Where would we hold a garden fete in modern Eaglemont?

Garden fetes - oh the ambience, the elegance, the space of a good old-fashioned garden fete. Linen tablecloths, lawns cut and edged, Fundraising by Devonshire tea.

Frocked up, and heels sinking into the lawn. The tinkling of china cups on saucers.

Garden fetes? Slipping demurely into the mists of days past. Entered into the Nostalgia file. Remember when.......

Hard to run a garden fete when the gardens have all been subdivided out of existence.

Hold on to our neighbourhood character.

Create new housing, create affordable housing, create housing near where people work. Create housing that fits changing lifestyles.

De-naturing - think about that word - existing "leafy eastern suburbs" should be avoided. The decades-long investment in developing mature trees, gardens and architectural variety should be valued.

And of course a garden fete can be a lot of fun.