Memorial garden shows that ‘Together we can’

A garden in Glenorchy created to remember lives lost due to overdose is transformed in time for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD).

The garden began several years ago when a single rose bush was planted in the grounds of Anglicare’s Glenorchy office. It had been donated by a family who had lost a loved one in these circumstances.

The garden became a natural meeting point for the community every International Overdose Awareness Day (31 August) to remember lives lost.

Last year an explanatory plaque was added to the space and Anglicare started hosting an inaugural memorial breakfast. Attending that first event, Hobart resident Kerrie Dare (pictured above) was struck by the garden’s potential.

“I’ve overdosed three times now,” she explained. “One was unintentional and two were not. Looking at that one plant that wasn’t flowering in an empty garden made me feel like I was alone. It occurred to me that what was needed was a proper garden that would give people hope. And who better to create it than our community?”

A keen gardener and with a long career in floristry behind her, Kerrie understands the value of gardens as inspiring, nurturing spaces. With support provided by Anglicare, Kerrie and her father designed the garden and worked with a local nursery to source plants and landscaping materials. Purple plants were chosen to reflect the colour of International Overdose Awareness Day.

“I’ve always loved being outdoors,” she explained. “I have great childhood memories of trotting behind my father, digging in the dirt and putting in plants. Dad is 77 now and still lives on five acres. We held a working bee in the garden and members of my community, my friends, came along as well as Mark Mason from Anglicare and his son. Dad had never previously engaged with a group of people who use drugs. Working together with him on this project perfectly aligned with this year’s theme for International Overdose Awareness Day, ‘Together we can’.

Kerrie said:

Most members of our community have personal experiences of loss. With Anglicare’s support, we’re creating a welcoming and uplifting space where people can come together to pay their respects to friends and family members and learn about harm reduction. There’s no stigma here.

Around 25 people braved a stormy morning to attend this year’s event at Glenorchy to mark IOAD. Anglicare is also partnering with The Salvation Army and Youth Family & Community Connections at events in the North and North West of the State.

More information:

Anglicare runs Needle and Syringe Program outlets in Hobart, Glenorchy and Burnie.

Kerrie is the Vice President of the Tasmanian Users and Health Support League (TUHSL), a statewide, peer-based consumer organisation that supports people who use drugs.