A garden commemorating Victoria’s first female premier and Williamstown resident Joan Kirner will be opened next month by the Williamstown Community and Education Centre.
Joan’s Garden at Joan Kirner House in Thompson Street will be opened on June 1, a year to the day since Ms Kirner died after a battle with oesophageal cancer and other illnesses.
Her husband Ron described the garden, which features an art installation, as “absolutely superb”.
“I think it’s just the most marvellous piece of work,” he said. “I think she’d be very pleased, she’d be very proud. I’m sure she’d appreciate it because it’s got so many symbols of the things she stood for.
“A lot of thought has gone into it. There are purple flowers and that’s the colour of Emily’s List, and she was involved in that.
“We’ve always had dogs and there’s a labrador, which we’ve always had.
“She liked Williamstown enormously when she became a member for the western region and then subsequently for Williamstown.
“There’s a Timeball Tower tucked away in the background. You’ll have to look for it so I won’t tell you where it is.”
Centre manager Mark Brophy said Ms Kirner had been instrumental in securing the former Williamstown Court House and transforming it into a community centre.
The centre opened in 2003 and was renamed Joan Kirner House.
Victoria’s Governor, Linda Dessau, a friend of Ms Kirner, will officially open Joan’s Garden at Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown, at 10.30am on June 1. Bookings are required; to RSVP, call 9397 6168.
