A Tribute to Alison Leamy: Queen of the Terraces
The board and I are truly saddened by the death of Alison Leamy says Patty Grant, President. “She was not just a valuable Friend, she was a true personal friend and I will miss her terribly.”
Alison was born in Victoria on October 16, 1932. She was presented as a debutante at Government House and upon her retirement from the Mirror Room at the Hudson’s Bay Company, joined the friends on her 65th birthday in 1997. She was president twice and, following George Radford, had remained a co-ordinator of the Terraces until this August.
She enjoyed a close relationship with Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo also a Terracite, during her tenure. So close that she had her own key to the House and was allowed to drive the official golf cart!
While proud of her work as a Friends member, Alison once said that her greatest legacy was her daughter, Shelia.
Alison presented with the BC Achievement community award in 2007 by Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo and Premier Gordon Campbell.
The Friends held a surprise birthday party for Alison at the Cottage last October.
Jeremy Brownridge and Alison, wearing her crown, enjoy the birthday celebration.
Alison and daughter Shelia.
A Special Garden Announcement
Dear Friends of Government House Gardens Society:
The compost program is being discontinued effective Sunday, October 1, 2023. There will no longer be a place to accept garden materials and yard waste produced off-site.
You will start seeing signage about this over the coming weeks.
This decision was made collaboratively by multiple interested parties: members of the Garden Management Board, Government House representatives, and the Government House gardening contactor. The program has not been successful and it is not sustainable.
After October 1, 2023, all garden material produced on-site will be placed in a bin (located in the lower parking lot) and taken off-site for appropriate disposal. If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your gardening director or Board president.
Thank you, Patty Grant
(On behalf of the Garden Management Board (which includes Government House representatives.)
Our Garden Accountant
Crenagh Elliott was one of the very first members of the Friends more than 30 years ago. She and husband David were the first sunken rose garden supervisors. Here she is on her rounds keeping the garden maps current to show all trees, shrubs, and most plants.
A Beautiful Afternoon “Gardenfest” for Friends and Community
The Friends were able to showcase the beautiful Government House gardens at a free, family friendly event which featured an afternoon of activities and live performances. Gardenfest also offered music and dance performances from Ballet Victoria, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and Pacific Opera Victoria. Children took part in lawn games, jumped on a bouncy castle, made balloon art, and mingled with cuddly pets brought by the local 4H club.
Community organizations such as the BC Maritime Museum, Cridge Centre for Family, St. John’s Ambulance, Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, United Way Vancouver Island, Victoria Immigrant & Refugee Society, Victoria Women’s Transition House and Volunteer Victoria.
Treats were provided by the superb government house chefs.
Linda Edwards, a volunteer in the English Country Garden, puts the final touches on one of the Friends floral display tables. The flower designers garden volunteers created the two beautiful pastel arrangements with edible flowers from their garden in the two biggest containers that they could find. The dinner plate dahlias dazzled everyone and the bees buzzed around them all afternoon.
Elspeth Westby, Friends vice-president, beside the striking display. The arrangement was designed by Lorian Roberts from the flower designers garden. Lorian used plant material sourced the day before from all of the Friends’ gardens to show what our gardens grow.
These visitors seem incredulous at the stunning arrangement by Lorian Roberts.
Valerie Murray, horticulture advisor; Her Honour Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor; and Elspeth Westby.
Be sure to see the Become a Member page for more Friends activities!
Delighted Visitors Enjoy Their Custom Bouquets
These four visitors were thrilled to end their tour of the gardens with bespoke bouquets made by the floral designers. While residents of Victoria, this was their first – but definitely not last – visit to Government House grounds. There may even have been some discussion about becoming volunteers themselves!
Thank You Volunteers!
The Friends Board is grateful for your hard work, commitment to our goals, and the valuable contribution of your time, energy, and talents – whether you volunteer in the gardens, or in non-gardening activities.
Our volunteers make a global difference; collectively, every outdoor space creates a colorful blend of scent and sight that offers visitors of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds a tranquil setting that engages all the senses and provides a welcoming urban oasis.
This year in particular is a milestone for the Friends, and you, its hard-working volunteers. The Friends is celebrating 30 years of ensuring that Government House gardens and grounds remains a treasured place for the residents of British Columbia and visitors. The Friends could not have kept the Lieutenant Governor’s estate at its consistent level of excellence, worthy of a national historic site designation, without your help.
Congratulations to all volunteers
on our 30th anniversary!
Become a member of the Friends!
Contact the Friends for more information.