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Generous Rose Garden Bequest CommemoratedThe generous bequest that the late Edwin (Ted) Austin left to the Latrobe City Trust for the ongoing maintenance of the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden has been acknowledged, By Latrobe City - 29th March 2007 - Back to News with the recent unveiling of a commemorative plaque in the rose garden arbour.
Under the terms of his will, Mr Austin bequeathed seven-seventeenths of his estate to the Latrobe City Trust equating to $82,353.93 to establish ‘The Edwin Austin Scholarship Fund’.
The bequest makes provision for scholarships rewarding academic achievement for the benefit of male and female dux of year 6 at Commercial Road Primary School; and for the maintenance and upkeep of the Rose Garden and Airlie Bank Homestead.
The Latrobe City Trust's special guests on the day were Tom Wathen (Ted Austin's nephew) and the executor of his estate and former trustee, Graham Gordon; with trustees and many members of the Rose Garden Committee and the Friends of the Garden in attendance.
President of the Rose Garden Committee of Management, Ian Maguire, acknowledged that Mr Austin’s bequest had enabled the rose garden to blossom in a way that had not been foreseen in early days.
"Through Ted’s generosity, The Morwell Centenary Rose Garden has developed to a stage where it has become internationally renowned. We really have a lot to thank Ted for," Mr Maguire said.
To date, the Latrobe City Trust has presented the committee of management with a total of $28,000 in accordance with Mr Austin's wishes. The funding has provided for brick edging works around each bed in the garden and beautification projects.
Chair of the Latrobe City Trust, Gloria Auchterlonie, provided an insight into the life of Ted Austin at the commemoration.
Edwin James Austin, the only son of Thomas and Edith Austin, was born on 13 December, 1914. He had two sisters, Ivy and Kathleen. The family moved from the Boolarra district to a farm near Thorpdale after WWI. Ted worked on the farm until it was sold when his father passed away in the early 1950s. He and his mother then moved to Elgin Street, Morwell with Ted working at Morwell Hospital. He never married. Ted remained at Morwell Hospital until it closed, working through the changeover to the present St. Hiliary’s Hostel.
His nephew, Mr Tom Wathen, described his uncle as a ‘Jack of all trades’. "He loved a chat, enjoyed travelling around Victoria every January and kept a large garden, happily giving away his abundant produce. His last years were spent at Mitchell House following a stroke," Mr Wathen said.
"The Austin family is very proud that The Edwin Austin Scholarship Fund perpetuates Ted’s name within the community he so generously served during his adult life," he added.
Following the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, a morning tea sponsored by Latrobe City Council was enjoyed.
The Edwin Austin Scholarship Fund is one of several funds managed by the Latrobe City Trust for the benefit of individuals and charitable bodies within the Latrobe community.
Further information on the Trust, which is a fully registered charitable trust, independent of Council, is available from Caroline Flake at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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