Helping the team become successful, motivating, inspiring and goal setting is key for me in my role as general manager. Improving efficiencies and taking care of the profits, while ensuring the Park operations is in check has been an enormously challenging task during the past two years.
We have so many diverse functions across the Park and the team of staff at Araluen has been facing some of the most challenging conditions with the deluge of rain as we faced the highest rainfall in 14 years.
To say it’s been tricky would be an understatement as we each keep on track with our scheduled maintenance and works programs. The planning and delivery is an art, and I am very proud of the efforts of the team. None of us can perform our roles independent of the other, so working to achieve the vision is paramount for safe and effective garden event delivery in readiness for our visitors.
And we are ready. With a redeveloped website going to launch in August, including an online booking system, be sure to pre book your ticket to avoid disappointment. We have additional ticket booths inside the Park for the first time to speed up the traffic flow and transacting at the Main Entry Plaza to improve traffic management.
The Contour Bark Walkway has had some maintenance and is ready for visitors. Forest View Deck is being upgraded for the festival and we will have some additional elements in our program in the coming weeks.
The Margaret Simons Pergola plaque and structure is looking stunning. Tulip beds have been revised and there will be some welcomed displays around Chalet healy lawns, Roundhouse Sweep and under the pergola.
The Perth Hills Armadale Visitor Centre will be up on the Forest View Deck on weekends and Yates Australia will have their displays and colouring competition ready. There will be activities such as Hike Collective, Cabernet and Canvas. Bookings required.
We expect the Wisteria will be in full bloom in the next few weeks as a favourite for photography enthusiasts across the verandah of four pergolas: Chalet Healy, The Swimming Pool Pergola, The McIntosh Pergola and the Margaret Simons Pergola.
If all things are going well, the train experience will be available on weekends at this year’s festival. This will depend on other external factors, such as if we go into a mandated lockdown, but we are hopeful that this does not eventuate.
We look forward to welcoming you soon
