Not only is Earimil Gardens her pride and joy, Elaine and her husband, Reg, have raised $680,000 for the children’s charities Very Special Kids, Redkite and Challenge in the 12 years they have been opening their one-hectare labour of love to the public and the sales of their books, cards, plants and seeds.

Designed and planted by Mrs Smith in 1978, Earimil is one of Australia’s most visited gardens, attracting 4000 visitors a year. Nothing delights her more than seeing the joy that people get from their visits.

“The icing on the cake is sharing it with people and giving the money to charity,” she says. This year her contribution to charity earned Mrs Smith an OAM for service to the community.

Earimil has plants from all over the world that soak up a whopping 4.8 megalitres of water a year, prompting Mrs Smith to consider alternative water sources such as rain and recycled water, especially when water rates rise after the State Government introduces its new water plan in October.

“All the golf courses and all the gardens should be watered with recycled water,” she says. “I’d be happy to pay to get it here because we have to use all that water
again.” Mr Smith agrees. “(Rainwater) Tanks would certainly be a consideration, and increasing costs encourages water saving,” he says.

Earimil Gardens, 33A Koornalla Cres, Mt Eliza Open Oct 10-11 & Nov 14-15, with live jazz on Sunday afternoons. Adult admission is $10. Ph (03 9787 1045.