MYRTLEFORD'S Geoff and Kathy Dyt are preparing a number of final displays ahead of their annual Open Magical Garden and Miniature Fantasy Scene showcase.
The couple are once more inviting the public to drop in and view the colourful collection on display in the front and back gardens, filled with whimsical hand-made and second-hand trinkets, with the aim to bring joy to all attendees, with all proceeds raised to go towards this year's Royal Melbourne Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
The creations started with Kathy making little dioramas for their grandchildren several years ago.
"I started with one and it went on from there," she said.
"Eventually, we got into putting on an entire fairy garden.
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"My sisters Cheryl and Julie and I go to op-shops and garage sales to find beautiful trinkets and ornaments.
"I think the locals will be pleasantly surprised to see what we've been able to do with their old possessions.
"The dioramas in the open garden will be for display only, but I have made other dioramas which our grandchildren play with when they visit.
“Julie is a renowned artist and a quilter: we’ll have a display set up for her to showcase her needlework and other projects.
"There will also be activities for kids...they can hunt for ornaments in the displays and when they tick them all off the list, they get a prize.
“I’m finishing off painting some garden features at the moment and I’m still planning to start on some new ones."
Geoff, who is Myrtleford's area manager for the Good Friday Appeal, said a friend has offered to add a number of the High Country miniature hut models he has collected to this year's display.
"It's an opportunity for the community to see some great local craftsmanship up close," he said.
"Our friend will lend us 15 or 16 of them, which I think will fit in nicely with the open garden this year.
“There will also be a small raffle on offer, for people who attend the open garden.
“However the main Good Friday Appeal raffle, which we run at local supermarkets, is going on right now and will be drawn on Good Friday.
"Last year the Myrtleford district raised over $33,000.
"Hopefully we are able to do something similar again this year."
The raffle's first-prize winner will have the choice of either a Greenpower 60V Blower Kit, donated by Ovens Valley Chainsaws and Lawnmowers, valued at $449 or an Endota Spa Rejuvenate Package, including a 120-minute treatment of massage, facial, cleanse, de-stress and refresh session, valued at $330.
The raffle’s third prize is an Endota Spa Travel Case, which contains a number of quality skincare products.
The fourth prize is a Cadbury Easter hamper, donated by the Good Friday Appeal, which is full of scrumptious seasonal goodies.
The Open Garden showcase will be held at 33 Elgin Street, Myrtleford, on Thursday 10 to Sunday 13, April, from 10am to 4pm, (open from 9am Saturday 12, April), with entry only a gold-coin donation.
