Many keen customers from the coast phoned in disbelief to enquire if the Plant Fair was still on. One customer reported “It’s absolutely pouring in Coffs and has done all morning. We thought that the Plant Fair would be cancelled and surely it must be flooding in Bellingen by now! ”

Browsing among an impressive array of Plant and horticultural supply stalls with wheelbarrows and trolleys in tow, people consulted with the experts, selected their latest garden additions and went home with some excellent bargains. With the cooler temperatures and excellent planting conditions, there were plenty of keen gardeners looking for new additions to their garden, orchard and farm.

The fascinating world of snakes and reptiles and how to coexist safely with them was described by Steve McEwan, Native plant ID with Ross Macleay and Jan Parkin, Landcare’s guided Rainforest ID tour of the creek revegetation plantings in the Market park taught distinguishing features and attributes of Rainforest plants, while culinary, medicinal and cultural delights of the Australian bush were discovered with Mark Flanders, including how to use the pulpy stem of bracken fern to alleviate to pain from ant bites.

Recognising differences between the endangered Giant Barred Frog and it’s Cane toad look-alike and creating a frog-friendly garden was taught by Mark Graham, while Nick Rose of BLFA discussed the importance of Food Policy councils and supporting local growers. Bellingen EYE Café sold organic Papuan Coffee and delicious cakes, Bellingen Seedsavers discussed how seedsaving techniques helps rebuild plant vitality, Paul Tipper won 1st prize and Godfrey Davies 2nd prize in the hampers of organic garden produce, fruit, veggies, seeds, eggs and preserves.