Rose Garden Officially Re-opened as Part of Snowy Scheme’s Anniversary

Published on 29 October 2019

The Lady Hudson Rose Garden in Khancoban was officially re-opened this weekend as part of celebrations for the Snowy Scheme’s 70th Anniversary.

Mr Duncan Taylor, grandson of Sir William and Lady Eileen Hudson, Mr Ken Lister, former chief operating officer of Snowy Hydro and Justin Clancy MP joined Snowy Valleys Council on Saturday 26 October to officially re-open the gardens.

“I am delighted to be able to celebrate the restoration and upgrade of the much loved Lady Hudson Rose Garden,” said Council’s Mayor James Hayes. “It’s wonderful to see it returned to its former glory”.

Snowy Valleys Council invested $385,000 in the redevelopment of the Rose Garden including raising the existing garden beds, landscaping and the establishment of new plantings, edges, hedging. New decomposed granite pathways and over 5,000 square meters of turf was also laid supported by an irrigation system.

Approximately 200 of the old rose bushes were replanted into the new garden beds including 121 white roses representing the people who lost their lives during the Snowy Scheme construction.

The Lady Hudson Rose Garden was originally established over several years commencing in 1959 when Khancoban was recognised as a permanent township. Len McInnes, working for the then Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority was given the task of designing the garden.

At the time, the rose garden was one of the very few rose gardens in Australia, providing a unique amenity for local residents and the many visitors to the township.

Today, the rose garden is a popular site for weddings, and a lovely spot to visit while in Khancoban.

“It is looking fantastic again and we encourage local residents and visitors to come down to the garden and see the beautiful blooms,” said Clr Hayes.