Celebrating its 25th year, a remarkable amount of just under $35,000 has been raised at this year’s Amanda’s Garden Fete, held on October 12-13 in Southern River.
The fete, run by Barry and Lorraine Young, is dedicated to raising awareness of meningococcal disease and supporting the Amanda Young Foundation, named and created in honour of their daughter, who passed away in 1997 from the disease.
In perfect conditions, the fete attracted over 2,000 people over the weekend, who enjoyed and explored the garden while enjoying entertainment and various displays provided by a selection of stallholders.
Contributing to the funds raised was the large variety of plants and seedlings kindly donated by local nurseries, which attendees eagerly purchased.
Barry Young said he was touched to see so many people appreciating the garden and expressed his gratitude for everyone’s support of the foundation.
“Lorraine and I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing people wandering around and just absorbing the ambience of the garden, smelling the roses, and just looking at all the colour that’s available,” he said.
“We’re just so pleased to get the support of the community on an annual basis.”
Mr Young said that although Amanda’s life was tragically cut short, her legacy continues to inspire their efforts to raise awareness and support for those affected by meningococcal disease.
“She achieved more in 18 years than a lot of people do in a lifetime, and she just had so much potential, but above all, she was just a delightful person,” he said.
“She was the epitome of inclusiveness; she had time for everybody.”
In partnership with the WA Department of Health, Edith Cowan University, and Lotterywest, the Amanda Young Foundation launched the MIapp in 2022, an innovative educational game for students in Years 7 to 10 that raises awareness of meningococcal infection through interactive learning content.
The app is just one of several initiatives funded and supported by the Amanda Young Foundation, which, for the past 25 years, has increased education and awareness of meningococcal disease, provided survivor support services, encouraged research to eliminate the disease, and developed young leaders in the community.
Largely thanks to the work of the Amanda Young Foundation, the number of meningococcal disease cases in Western Australia has been steadily decreasing as awareness has grown.
Mr Young hopes to see the garden fete continue for many more years to raise funds for the Amanda Young Foundation, but he is currently looking to recruit a few new volunteers to assist with their efforts.
“A fellow who has been helping us for 13 years and came every Tuesday did an amazing job for us, but he has stepped back this year,” he said.
“So, we are looking for a couple of volunteer gardeners to help out on a Tuesday to give us a hand.”
All money raised from the fete will continue to be used to support the Amanda Young Foundation‘s Meningococcal Awareness Program, fund their Young Leaders Camp, and assist survivors of the disease.
