Much has changed since the E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens were officially opened 50 years tomorrow, July 18, 1970.
The display has grown enormously to one of the largest collections of camellias in Australia, with more than 400 cultivars and species - many donated by garden lovers - along with many other ornamental and native plants
Lawn areas, duck ponds, paths, playgrounds and a quaint teahouse have gradually been introduced, helping to make the gardens a major attraction.
Another change has not been so good - and is sure to bring another barrage of complaints as the 50-year milestone is marked.
A colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes, commonly referred to as "the bats", have made the gardens home after splintering from a camp at Kareela in 2016 during dispersal efforts.
The council receives numerous complaints about droppings, noise and smell, and has responded with a range of measures. (See story below).
Senior council horticulturalist Neil Byron has been caring for the gardens for 22 years during which he has seen them grow into a nature wonderland.
"I love working here, it's very rewarding," he said. "People come up and thank you for your efforts."
Mayor Carmelo Pesce said the gardens had evolved to take on a much broader role beyond garden grandeur.
"Many local residents have cherished childhood memories, while, for others, it may have been where they were married or celebrated any number of other significant milestones," he said.
The gardens, overlooking Yowie Bay, had an earlier life as the Matson Pleasure Grounds, which were created in 1902.
In those early days, they were a picnic and boating attraction, and were even used to host the Crown Prince of Japan and officers when the Japanese fleet visited Sydney in 1905.
Transforming the area into the E G Waterhouse National Camellia Gardens was a council project to mark the 200th anniversary in 1970 of the arrival of James Cook and the Endeavour in Botany Bay.
The first plantings were made in 1969.
The gardens were named after Professor Eben Gowrie Waterhouse, a leading world authority on camellias, who lived in Sydney, and were given national significance by the Australian Camellia Research Society.
The gardens were opened by Lady Helen Cutler, wife of the then Governor, Sir Rodin Cutler.
In 1971, a memorial to Elizabeth Cook was unveiled by the then deputy shire president Cr Jean Manuel.
The success of the project was attributed largely to the voluntary work of Eric Utick BEM (1915-2005), who served as the honorary director for more than 30 years.
Flying-fox complaints
Sutherland Shire Council has outlined the measures it has taken to address problems associated with the colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes.
The number varies from about 4000 between February to May to 1000 in the cooler months from June.
Complaints can be summed up in an extract from one of many letters to the Leader: "We were met with a cacophony of screeching, the air permeated with a foul smell as the bats flapped their wings in the heat of the day, and paths and grass covered with droppings".
A council spokesman said Grey-headed Flying-foxes were a protected species, and listed as vulnerable to extinction in NSW.
"Council is unable to undertake any actions that may result in harm to the flying-fox without both state and federal approvals," he said.
"Flying-foxes are increasingly seeking refuge in urban areas like Camellia Gardens, due to a shortage of food and appropriate habitat.
"Council has monitoring programs in place to inform methods that aim to reduce the impact of this threatened species on surrounding residential areas, and undertakes in-situ management as per the Camellia Gardens Flying-fox Camp Management Plan.
"Management to date includes trialling strobe lights, ultrasonic sound devices and canopy sprinklers to contain the camp to a smaller area, undertaking bush regeneration in the adjacent Kareena Reserve, and planting alternative habitat to support and replace the Garden's vegetation.
"Council has also planted fragrant semi-mature trees around the outskirts of the gardens to create a buffer from the sight and smell of the camp for surrounding residents, and assists eligible residents with the removal of exotic Cocos palms (a flying-fox attractant)."
The spokesman said the flying-fox population at the Camellia Gardens was variable, usually peaking at about 4000 from February to May, with numbers reducing to 1000 in the cooler months from June, leading to "a significant reduction in impacts for staff, visitors and residents".
"Council's dispersal program undertaken at Kareela in 2015 proved successful in deterring flying-foxes from the area for several months however, due to bushfires and drought creating food shortages, council was instructed by the state government to cease the program," he said.
"One of council's objectives is to educate the community on the importance of this species to the ecosystem and to this end we have installed educational signage throughout the Gardens.
"We are also working with a Master's student to support research in the use of thermal infrared drone imagery as a means of monitoring and managing flying-fox camps.
"These figures are cross referenced against our own ecologist's manual counting methods to inform our reports to the state government as well as recognise patterns in migration."
