SECRET TO LONG LIFE HIDDEN IN GARDEN
BORN in the country that produces 90 per cent of the world’s tulips, you could be forgiven for thinking gardening must be in this Dutch man’s genes.
At 94 years young, Bill van Mourik, is a long-time participant of The Chronicle Garden Competition, and likely to be its oldest entrant.
“I’ve entered for many years … and won some prizes for my garden too. I had to stop for a little while, to give others a chance, you know,” he said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
Welcoming visitors to his garden once again this spring is something Mr van Mourik is looking forward to.
“Last year was very hard for everyone. But it’s on the map again. Toowoomba is a colourful city. It gives people an excuse to see the town, and build up the community,” Mr van Mourik said.
Sitting in the sunshine in his retirement village unit’s front yard, with pops of colour peeking through everywhere you look, it’s easy to see how it can bring such joy and lift spirits.
Migrating from the Netherlands, it seems natural he would eventually settle down in the Garden City of Toowoomba.
“I came out in 1953 to Australia – a single guy, knew nobody. Landed in Tasmania and got a job in a bakery – there was so much work around back then. I bought a little restaurant across the road, remodelled it, sold it soon after and moved to Queensland, and I’ve been here ever since.”
Working with his hands has been a lifetime affair – ask him about his stint painting railway stations – but getting his green thumbs in the garden has always put a spring in his step.
“It takes me a bit longer to get around the garden now with the walker – and can’t get down or I might not get back up,” he said.
“he retirement village sent someone to help me with the garden. But I have to tell them what’s a plant and what’s a weed, to make sure they don’t pull out the wrong things.”
After all these years, can he share any secrets to coaxing a garden into bloom?
“I talk to it!” he laughed. “I say, ‘It’s too cold, I’m sorry’. I don’t know if it helps, but that’s what I do. I love it, it brings me great joy.”
You can visit Bill van Mourik’s garden in Nubeena Retirement Village during The Chronicle Garden Competition.
THE CHRONICLE GARDEN COMPETITION GARDENS WILL BE OPEN TO VISITORS SEPTEMBER 17-19 AND 24-26, WITH MANY OPENING DURING THE WEEK IN BETWEEN. SEE THECHRONICLE.COM.AU.