In WENDY WHITELEY AND THE SECRET GARDEN,

(Lantern), Janet Hawley tells the story of how one woman transformed a neglected industrial harbourside site just a short walk from Sydney’s Harbour Bridge into a sanctuary. “... When you stand at the top entrance under the sprawling boughs of the giant Moreton Bay fig tree, place your foot on the first narrow step leading down and grip the bush-branch handrail, you instantly leave the ordinary world behind.

It seems as if you’ve stumbled upon someone’s very private world, or discovered some wonderful secret, as you glimpse the strangely enchanting garden that lies below. It looks and feels like a treasured love garden. Even if you know nothing of the history of Wendy Whiteley’s alchemy, turning private grief and a disused dumpland into a Garden of Eden, you can sense the heartfelt love that’s been poured into creating this cherished place.”