On Thursday, 27thSeptember, 48 members of the Camberwell Morning Garden Club left ‘Chambly’ at 9.00am sharp, for our second day trip for Spring 2007.
This time, with our usual driver, Hayden, we headed along Canterbury Road, to the Basin, to visit the stunning ‘Como Gardens’. This 6-hectare property is located at 79 The Basin-Olinda Road, in the Basin, and is owned by a retired couple, George and Pam Hertel. Mr and Mrs Hertel owned a confectionery business during their working lives, and on retirement in 1996, purchased Como Gardens. Unfortunately at the time of our visit, Mrs Hertel was in hospital, but Mr Hertel – George – was a charming host. Over morning tea, he welcomed us and told us some of the background and history of the property.
‘Como Gardens’ offers the couple ample opportunity to indulge in their hobbies – Mrs Hertel, a keen gardener, has some 6 hectares to work with, and Mr Hertel has an adorable miniature railway, and a stunning collection of vintage cars and motorcycles, displayed in an historical museum on the property. ‘Como Gardens’ was originally established in 1976, in memory of Mr Bert Chandler (1890 – 1970). The property includes extensive formal gardens, a vegetable garden, Rainforest walk, Fairy Garden, Hobbit’s Cave and man-made dam. The gardens showcase extensive plantings of rhododendrons, azaleas (including Mollis varieties), magnolias and camellias.
The Hertels also keep a variety of birds and poultry, including parrots, pheasants, turkeys and quail, and a variety of chickens – Polish, Rhode Island Reds and Silky Bantams. We also encountered free-ranging geese and ducks!
Another fabulous attraction at this unique property is George’s miniature railway, which winds around the property and provides a different perspective to viewing the beautiful garden. The little train can carry 18 passengers, and has its very own station ‘Como Gardens’, complete with fascinating historic railway memorabilia
Another highlight of our visit was ‘George’s Garage’, showcasing George’s fabulous collection of vintage cars – including the first mass-produced Mercedes (1896), an absolutely stunning 1939 Mercedes, originally owned by the Third Reich, a 1903 Peugeot, 1914 Fiat, 1903 Oldsmobile, 1927 Bugatti, 1931 Bentley, 1936 Riley and 1923 Fire Engine. These had been meticulously restored by George himself. Another feature of the collection is Peter Brock’s 1973 Torana, in full racing colours! George’s collection of motorcycles includes a 1990 Harley Davidson Fat Boy, 1914 Indian and 1927 Douglas.
We left Como Gardens at 12.30, heading to Ferntree Gully for lunch at the Royal Hotel. We had a choice of chicken schnitzel, fish and chips or roast lamb, followed by a selection of cakes (mud, carrot, cherry ripe and fantasy cake). Tea and coffee completed our meal, after which we returned to Como Gardens for a last look.
George asked that our admittance fees to his property be made into a donation to the Knox SES. George and Pam open their property twice yearly (the third weekends of April and October) as part of the Victorian Open Gardens Scheme, and the money raised is again donated to charity.
After leaving Como Gardens, we made an unscheduled, but very enjoyable, visit to Banksia Nursery, and then headed back to Camberwell.
This was a most enjoyable trip, and many thanks to past President, Beatrice, for organising and planning it.
