Community spirit shines through memorial garden

05th May 2026

The Guyra & Community Progress Association has extended its sincere thanks to Kolora Aged Care management for providing the space and ongoing support to create a new memorial garden and reflective area for residents, their families, and staff.
The project stands as a testament to strong community spirit, with many locals contributing their time, skills, and resources to bring the space to life.
Central to the effort was Kolora’s gardener Sara Hancock who, alongside her children, spent several weeks preparing the site by manually. Sarah’s children Grace, Max and Will participated in a school based community service project where they gathered and bagged fresh sheep fertilizer for the gardens and assisted with the preparation and planting of the garden beds.
They were also joined by Progress Association members Barb and John, who helped plant a vibrant selection of greenery and cottage flowers, adding colour and vitality to the garden.
Further contributions came from Mara Grills, who donated lucerne hay, while Progress members Craig and Rodney provided essential labour, including concreting work and the installation of the garden’s sculpture.
The Association also acknowledged Robyn Jackson for her donation of a Kangaroo Paw and the generous donation from the Guyra Garden Club, noting that the contribution played a significant role in the project’s success.
The completed garden offers a calm reflective space, highlighting what can be achieved when community groups work together towards a shared goal.
In contrast, the community has recently been left disappointed following the vandalism of a newly constructed stone wall in the NAB car park.
In response, the Association expressed its gratitude to local contractor Paul Kirk, who has volunteered his time and services free of charge to repair the damage. The gesture has been described as another example of the strong community spirit present in Guyra.
The Association has also met with Armidale Regional Council to address concerns about vandalism and graffiti. As a result, a security camera will be installed in the NAB car park and various other locations throughout town, which will be monitored by Council and the local Police, to deter future incidents.
The initiative is expected to provide reassurance to residents and help protect community infrastructure moving forward.
Sonya Wallbridge
President,

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Community spirit shines through memorial garden

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