IN between getting their hands dirty in the garden, members of the Diggers Garden Group have proven their success as fund-raisers.

At their annual Winter Workshop at Stanthorpe’s Queensland College of Wine and Tourism (QCWT) on Wednesday, the group proudly handed over $4000 to four charities.

Diggers Garden Group president Philomena Aspinall said the money was raised through donations raffles, donations and gate entries to garden days and other functions.

“The money raised will go to CareFlight, Akooramak Aged Care Warwick, Community Development Services Stanthorpe and Princess Alexandra Hospital in Tenterfield,” she said.

“Throughout the year we have five garden days and three functions, including the Winter Workshop, a bus trip and a Melbourne Cup.”

International garden designer Kim Morris was guest speaker for the workshop and talked to the group about his projects, along with innovative gardening practices.

Mr Morris is based in Cairns and partnered the development and design of the largest Australian tropical garden in the world outside Australia, in Guangdong Province China.

He is also heavily involved in the creation of solar powered, self sufficient vegetable gardens in indigenous communities throughout Australia.

“Kim was wonderful, the whole day went really well,” Mrs Aspinall said.

“He didn’t just speak on the horticultural side, but also on the cultural side of things too.”

Having four clear seasons in the region, Mrs Aspinall said the annual winter workshop also helped local gardeners with tips on how to keep the gardens going.