A unique garden that will provide clients and visitors to the Royal Darwin Hospice with a space for quiet reflection will be officially opened tomorrow to mark Palliative Care Awareness Week.
A Labyrinth Path has been developed over the last 12 months thanks to community support.
Royal Darwin Hospital Palliative Care Nurse Manager Jennifer Palmer said the labyrinth was an old concept found in almost every religious tradition around the world and allows those who use it to explore the emotional and spiritual aspects of their life.
She said the project came about through the vision of Pastoral Care Co-ordinator Mandy Cox and a special working group that was formed to steer the project.
"The labyrinth project was made possible with a lot of community assistance in fund raising and offering services and expertise. More than half of the money needed for the project was raised by Viv Moffatt and her staff at Coles Mitchell Street Darwin," she said.
"Other generous donations were made by Rotary Club, The Bernborough Club NT, Darwin City Council, Ironstone Lagoon Nursery, Darwin Plant Wholesalers, Top End Native Plant Society, Friends of Darwin Hospice, Lyons Development and Australia's Open Garden Scheme Community Garden Grant.
"Local Landscape designers Michelle and Drew Shugg of In-Scape-Out donated their time and Project Managed the Labyrinth from start to finish, and many other individuals donated their time to assist with the work."
"The labyrinth garden is accessible by wheelchair and its colours showcase the beauty and distinctiveness of the Territory," Ms Palmer said.
Media inquiries: Michelle Foster, Royal Darwin Hospital 8922 8833 or 0419 818 414.
Release date: 27 May 2008
