There’s a quote by Audrey Hepburn that Bowna’s Kerryn Hayden holds close to her heart these days:
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“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”
Certainly when Kerryn and husband Bradley purchased Glandore Homestead nine years ago, it was with the thought of building a beautiful future at the picturesque property.
With the “bones” of a great garden already in place thanks to original owners Norma and John McBrien, the Haydens set about growing their tomorrow on the banks of Mullengandra Creek.
Like any avid gardener, there’s been blood, sweat and even a few tears as Kerryn gradually brought to life an oasis of carefully planted trees, flower beds and shrubs.
Now the established garden that wends its way around the four-bedroom homestead is helping sow seeds of hope for the woman who has lovingly tended it over the years.
In the full flush of its spring bloom, the garden is a daily source of joy and comfort to Kerryn, 51, who is fighting an aggressive breast cancer.
Since her diagnosis in June, life has moved in rather a numbing blur, according to Kerryn.
She first noticed some soreness in her breasts while on holiday earlier this year but wasn’t overly concerned given a mammogram 12 months previously had been clear.
But at the urging of a close friend, Kerryn headed off to her GP for what she thought would be a routine check-up.
The result came “completely out of the blue” and even now she admits it all seems “very surreal”.
Kerryn had a lumpectomy in July followed by four rounds of chemotherapy and will start six weeks of radiation later this month.
Through it all, she has sought sanctuary in her garden, finding comfort in the familiar tasks of pruning and planting, of buds blossoming to life and the feel of the warm earth between her fingers.
Very occasionally – on a not-so-good day – Kerryn reluctantly allows family or friends to shoulder some of the heavy work of mulching or digging, while Bradley takes care of the mowing.
“The garden has given me a great focus in the past few months,” Kerryn says.
“It helps to re-ground you and stops you thinking about the negatives.”
Those who know and love her best weren’t surprised when Kerryn decided it was through her gorgeous garden she could cultivate positive outcomes from her cancer journey so far.
On Saturday, November 12, the Haydens will open the gates of Glandore to the public as a fundraiser for the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.
Visitors can meander among mop tops, a Manchurian pear walkway, rose garden archways and sweet-scented rosemary that lines some of the garden beds.
Jane Evans, fundraising manager for the Albury-Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund, says it is this type of grassroots community support that has helped bring the cancer centre dream to life.
She continues to be “amazed and humbled” by the diversity of local community groups, businesses and individuals who have supported the trust.
Since its establishment in 2013, community and corporate support has raised $1.1 million for the trust, which has a fundraising target of $2 million by 2017.
Donations have helped with everything from the purchase of major life-saving cancer equipment through to books for the library and blanket warmers.
“Every single dollar raised helps make a big difference to the lives of cancer patients,” Ms Evans says.
“The trust fund is a 100 per cent local charity organisation with all money raised staying in our community to help family members, friends and colleagues who may be going through the cancer journey.”
In May, 2011 the Federal Government announced it would fund a $65 million regional cancer centre on the grounds of Albury hospital.
The facility, to be officially opened on November 16, includes 30 inpatient beds, day chemotherapy facility, consulting rooms, education facility, wellness centre and dedicated children’s treatment space.
Kerryn is among the patients who have already undertaken some of their treatment in the centre’s cheery, light-filled rooms.
She says Albury-Wodonga is “extremely lucky” to have secured a medical facility of this calibre for the region.
“The doctors and facilities here are exceptional,” Kerryn says.
Having access to the cancer centre close by has made the journey just that little bit easier on Kerryn, Bradley and their three children Jack, 27, Holly, 25 and Chloe, 20.
It’s meant Kerryn can spend more time resting in the place best suited for recovery – her tranquil garden at home.
One of her favourite spots is under the huge golden elm planted by Norma McBrien more than 40 years ago.
Next Saturday Mrs McBrien plans to pay a visit to her former home and check out Kerryn’s efforts in the vastly expanded garden.
In the meantime, the Haydens will be kept busy tidying and trimming Glandore’s grounds ahead of the fundraiser.
It’s a welcome distraction from the next looming round of treatment.
“I don’t google, I garden,” Kerryn laughs.
“This journey has reminded me that life is short and you just have to get out there and enjoy it every day.”
The fruits of that philosophy will be displayed in all their glory come Saturday.
The open garden is November 12 at Glandore, Plunketts Road, Bowna, 10am-4pm. Entry $5, refreshments and plants for sale.