Denis
was an active member of the Nepean Allotment Garden Association (NAGA) from its
inception in 1991 until his death on March 14, 2017 .
BACKGROUND: In early spring of
1991 the then City of Nepean (City) stopped funding the gardens on Viewmount
Drive for financial reasons. The
City after receiving many letters and phone calls agreed to host a public
meeting to discuss the future of the gardens. The City spokesman at the meeting
agreed to let a volunteer group operate the gardens. At the intermission, a
hastily formed volunteer group informed the City spokesman that a volunteer
group will take over the gardens. The attendees at the meeting were invited to
go to another room. In that group was Denis where an Interim Board of Directors
was appointed. Denis became the Publicity Director: a post he held for many
years. Denis also held the position of Vice-Chair and Director.
Over
the years Denis helped in many ways: cutting the grass. He liked to cut the
grass in the early morning before sunrise, looking after the distribution of
mushroom compost, and tidying up the garden waste especially at the end of the
garden season. Denis, an experienced gardener, helped many inexperienced
gardeners get started in the right way.
Mary,
his wife became the garden registrar in 1996. Mary held that position for many
years. Denis was very supportive of Mary during her years at the gardens.
Denis will be missed, not only by his family but,
by all the NAGA gardeners.
Ian Reid,
NAGA Gardener 16-March 2017
