A private Mount Macedon garden has raised $50,000 for a local charity, following a successful month of viewings.
The 10-acre property opened its gates to the public during April, with its beautiful autumn colours attracting thousands of visitors.
All of the money raised was donated to Shared Table, a local charity supporting people in need in the Macedon Ranges.
Viewfield owner Vicki Hawken founded Shared Table 15 years ago and said the charity has grown to include about 15 volunteers.
“We’re a community-based charity. We help families and small community groups or projects in need,” she said.
“The opening of Viewfield is our main fundraiser of the year. We do it every year and 100 per cent of what we take at the gate goes to Shared Table.”
Ms Hawken said decided to found the charity because she witnessed a need in the community that fell through funding gaps.
“[Shared Table] can step in and fill those gaps, so an example so it might be [providing clothes to] someone that’s [escaped] a domestic violence situation.
“We [also] support several food banks and then we in turn get referrals and families that are accessing food banks that might need to help. There’s a huge variety of things that we cover.”
Ms Hawken said she loves opening Viewfield up to the public and is passionate about sharing the garden.
“A lot of people get a lot of pleasure, coming out of the city for instance, and enjoying a garden that kids can run around in. We just love sharing the property.”
Zoe Moffatt
