Vollie Profile - Judy Barrett

Judy Barrett

Entally Estate Volunteer

Judy Barrett has always felt a sense of belonging to the Estate – this may stem from her grandfather Norm Dent (previously mentioned in last month’s vollie profile on Margaret Cunningham – click here to read!), or her mother Molly, who both worked at the Estate; or her great-grandparents John & Ellen Dent who worked for Thomas Reibey III in the late 1800’s. Her family’s commitment to the ongoing success of Entally obviously runs in her veins.

Judy is not only a volunteer in the Estate gardens, but the Head Gardener, Treasurer for the Friends of Entally volunteer group, and an integral part of the events team for Gardenfest. Without a doubt, Judy Barrett is one of the hardest working volunteers onsite.

When Judy retired from Australia Post in 2010, she was searching for a new hobby – being a Hadspen local with a family connection to Entally, the idea of being a garden volunteer at the Estate quickly became reality. She jumped into her new volunteering role and helped to replant sections of the Walled Garden that had fallen into disrepair, bringing the area back to life. The yearly cycle of the garden, with flowers flourishing and blooming, the range of colours and perfumes, and constant new plantings and propagations, is something Judy never tires of, even twelve years later.

She freely admits to feeling a spiritual connection with the Estate – the atmosphere of the heritage buildings, parklands, and gardens drawing you in, and attaching itself to your soul. Judy vividly remembers, as a young child in the late 1950’s, attending various sporting carnivals held on the cricket pitch at Entally, featuring archery, woodchopping, and athletics. The memories of the site filled with people, wandering the grounds and enjoying the ambiance are stirred up again every year, when she helps out at events.

If you’re thinking about volunteering, Judy says you’d be welcomed with open arms! In her time here at the Estate, she’s met some great friends, and even discovered distant relations in fellow volunteers! Potential garden volunteers be warned though: plant knowledge is key in the gardens. Many stories can be told about volunteers “weeding” – but are actually pulling up valuable plants!