From forgotten to flourishing: Harmony Village’s glasshouse revival

Special guests, including Fiona Fisher and Peter Perrin from Doutta Gala head office and City of Greater Shepparton Deputy Mayor Anthony Brophy, joined them to celebrate.

Marked by a ribbon-cutting, a toast and a long lunch, the event was delightful.

And the glasshouse?

Residents committee president Mary Pell described it as “the absolute best for all the village”.

“That’s what it’s all about — making them happy,” she said.

“The glasshouse was purchased quite a few years ago for the residents to use, but it was just too much.

“Then, these two people came in one day and decided they’re going to take it on.”

Two people by the name of Clive and Maureen Merrigan led the charge, clearing bushlands and creating garden beds.

Together with fellow residents Di Clayton, Elaine Guyatt, Margaret Alley and Ross Grenfell, the work was a shared labour of love — and it just so happens the love affair doubled as a lifeline.

“My husband’s not a well man, he’s got terminal cancer, he was sitting at home,” Mrs Merrigan said.

“Since we’ve taken over, he tells me it’s like a meditation — he comes down here, waters and looks after it with me, and it’s made such a difference.

“I think this has given him new life — it’s given both of us new life, really.”

Furthermore, the undertaking has given rise to Harmony Village, centring its community around lashings of warmth as natural light filters through and pops of colour created by an array of perennials and geraniums.

“It’s brought the whole village together,” Ms Pell said.