Brave Hearts defy Wodonga rose vandals

Sixty roses were yesterday planted at the Celebrations Rose Garden at Belvoir Park, thanks to donations from Albury and Wodonga businesses and individuals, who came to the aid of Brave Hearts after vandals destroyed 40 standard roses in May.

Brave Hearts’ Jenny Black said standard Iceberg roses were chosen because they bloomed most of the year.

Some of the McGrath roses were being replaced by the Seduction variety and they would be replanted on the outside of the beds as a border for the garden, she said.

“The roses are much more significant than plants in the dirt,” Mrs Black said.

“The roses epitomise love and courage and have special recognition for many Albury-Wodonga people.”

The garden was opened in November with a two-metre high Isis sculpture centrepiece after thousands of hours of volunteer labour by cancer survivors, their families, friends and supporters.

In May, those same volunteers gathered to survey the damage after the standard roses were snapped off or pulled out and wooden stakes broken and used to inflict further damage.

The community responded quickly with businesses, individuals and students donating money and plants.

“Peards Wodonga immediately replaced the standards and other community donations have meant we have been able to increase the plantings in the garden,” Mrs Black said.

“Everyone has been waiting for the opportunity to replant and have the garden looking as beautiful as ever.

“This is a chance for healing and celebration.”

Mrs Black said Brave Hearts also appreciated the work carried out by Wodonga Council in the garden.

The council will install a light at the garden and is continuing to work with police to ensure increased surveillance.

Mrs Black said one positive outcome of the vandalism had been the wider community awareness of the garden and its purpose.

“More people understand that it is here and why it is here,” she said.

“It has given us a bigger profile.”