Life Member – Val Bengston
Val Bengston came to Maleny as a child and years later bought a bare block of land in 1989.
Val remembers: I remember my childhood being brought up in a garden. Children don’t seem to be given the same opportunity nowadays with so many other distractions. Very strong memories of members generosity providing cuttings that could be grown in my garden. I received a lot of cuttings from Thalia Skerman and Olga Webster. The Garden Club has changed over the years. More emphasise is now placed on botany and horticulture I have fond memories making the carpets. It was a long process, pine branches being stripped of the needles which were then used as a bed for the flowers, it took days to get that ready. Working together on the carpet where the creative and talented members put everything in its place, we with the scissors and secateurs on our hands and knees handing things to them, it was such good camaraderie. We worked on the designs for months before the carpets were made, featuring themes the members voted on. The designs were firstly drawn or painted then replicated with blooms. A Flying Carpet made on a frame suspended off the floor complete with Persian slippers was a highlight. I remember all the work when the ladies in the Club catered for the Autumn and Spring Fairs. So many memories of wonderful lasting friendships made.
