Gnomes join the fight against polio

PICTURED: David Clark, of the E Club of Australian Rotary Nomads, is the proud owner of the 2,500 plus gnomes, which he transports to Campbell Rhododendron Gardens each Easter for the enjoyment of hundreds of families.

A whimsical Easter tradition in the Blue Mountains brought together thousands of garden gnomes, excited visitors and a generous community spirit, raising funds for Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio while spreading smiles and laughter.

Once again, the Easter weekend saw the beautiful Campbell Rhododendron Gardens in the Blue Mountains, NSW, overrun by thousands of garden gnomes for the Great Australian
Gnome Convention.

Families flocked to the gardens to say hi to these little garden friends, while enjoying live entertainment, children’s activities and a special appearance by Costa Georgiadis from Gardening Australia.

David Clark, of the E Club of Australian Rotary Nomads, is the proud owner of the more than 2,500 gnomes – one of the largest privately owned collections in Australia – and organises the event each year to raise funds for polio eradication.

“It all starts early Easter Friday, when we pack up and box all the gnomes into two trailers and Utes and transport them from my home in Lithgow down to the Rhododendron Gardens in Blackheath, which boasts the largest collection of Rhododendrons in one garden in the world,” said David. “With the help of garden volunteers, we spend the next eight hours unpacking and setting up our little friends for the thousands of men, women and children who pour through the gates over Easter Saturday and Sunday.

“Costa always drops in and entertains the children and adults alike, who all want a picture with the ‘Big Garden Gnome’. We also had buskers, face painting, pony rides, kids painting their own gnomes to take home, Costa selling and signing his books, and the Lithgow Pipe Band playing among the gnomes.”

To raise extra funds this year, one of David’s fellow club members suggested he shave his beard off at the end of the convention and ask members to pay $10 to go towards the PolioPlus campaign.

“I thought that was a great idea as I do it anyway to start growing it again for the next year’s convention,” said David.

During the club’s first meeting after Easter, convention attendees joined club members via Zoom to watch David shave off his beard live on 15 April.

In addition to the $1,000 raised at the convention, an extra $360 was raised for PolioPlus.

“It is not a huge fundraising project as we run the event as a community activity to bring a smile and laughter to everyone who wanders through the gnomes,” said David. “We only get donations from the public putting money in our gnome wishing wells, strategically placed throughout the area.”

So, if you ever find yourself in Blackheath over the Easter weekend, make sure you check out the Great Australian Gnome Convention!