Susie Shurey has turned her passion for gardening into one of Sunraysia’s premier outdoor wedding venues. Melanie Whiting sat down with the Tranquil Garden’s owner to explore the roots of the landscaping masterpiece, which will soon celebrate its 10-year anniversary.
THOSE who walk through Red Cliffs’ Tranquil Gardens have told owner Susie Shurey they can feel the “old soul” of the property.
And when they do, Susie gives them a knowing nod and smile.
After all, the peacefulness and good vibe of the property were what drew her young family to move there in the first place nearly 15 years ago.
“The first time we came out to look at it, the kids just ran off,” Susie says.
“They thought it was magical with all the big trees – they had never seen anything like it.”
Of course, this was long before Susie turned the property into what is considered one of Sunraysia’s most popular outdoor wedding venues.
The Shurey’s purchased the property from a couple in their 90s who were no longer able to take care of the huge garden.
But buried beneath the snakes and weeds, Susie discovered what she describes as the “bones” of Tranquil Gardens – several tall trees planted by the original settler, Jim Bailey, 120 years ago.
For Susie – who first started operating a gift shop at the property – the opportunity to open the gardens to the public grew organically.
While gardening runs in her family, Susie had never given much thought to the idea.
“When we first purchased the property, I was just looking at it as a beautiful place to bring up children and I thought it had a lovely feel,” she says.
“Then as time went on and I did a little bit more gardening, family and a few other people said, ‘Susie, it’s so beautiful. You need to share it’.”
In March next year, Tranquil Gardens will celebrate its 10-year anniversary as a wedding garden.
In a nod to its settler history, Jim Bailey’s salvaged boat and cottage have been incorporated into the gardens.
The venue was also influenced by the designs of famed Australian landscape gardener Edna Walling – with hidden sections connected by winding paths and a large lawn area where the weddings take place.
Susie says she most enjoys meeting the countless couples who hire the gardens as their wedding venue and sharing the peacefulness of the property with others.
She also believes gardens can offer powerful healing properties, something she experienced first-hand when she suffered health issues three years ago.
Because of this, Susie was forced to close the gift shop and redirect her focus to the garden – but she’s not complaining.
“For me, it was a huge healing process to not be so committed with the shop and just to get out and work in the garden,” she says.
“I think there’s more stress in society now than there used to be and people really need to make time to get back into nature – a garden is the perfect way to do that.”
Susie says people can receive all the health benefits of gardening, even if the only space they have is a small veggie patch or a few pot plants.
“Gardening just lifts your spirits,” she says.
“It’s the best form of mindfulness, I think, because you’re just focused on what you’re doing and you forget about everything else.”
Susie Shurey hopes to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Tranquil Gardens with an open garden event next year and plans to continue sharing the gardens for the community’s enjoyment.
