Bertha’s Basket tells a story of care, cultivation and connection to place in Mrs York’s Garden in Port Macquarie

A METAL sculpture of Bertha York’s basket was installed on Wednesday, 9 September in the Hastings Garden area of Mrs York’s Garden in Port Macquarie.

The original woven basket bears her initials ABY (Amy Bertha York), and the marks of years of use.

Its woven form tells a story of care, cultivation and connection to place.

The elevated position of the sculpture affords a view of the gardens and the sea, a perspective that Bertha herself must have appreciated every day as she tended the garden.

Allan Bruhn from the Hastings Men’s Shed proudly unveiled his sculpture.

He began working on the sculpture in March, in consultation with Karen Hall, the garden’s site supervisor.

Mr Bruhn has been working with metal since he was 10.

He embarked on the project with enthusiasm, completing it in May after devoting around 100 hours to the project.

Peter Hennessey and his daughter, Deborah, were special guests at the installation and unveiling.

“It is so lovely to have Peter and Deborah here on this special occasion, President of the Friends of Mrs York’s Garden, Di Davison said.

“It is believed that Bertha used the basket to transport plants and flowers to and from the Hennesey nursery in Hindman Street.”

Peter reflected on the role their family nursery had in the original garden in the 1960s.

He said Albert York had given the original cane basket to his mother after Bertha’s passing.

She passed it to Peter Hennessey’s older sister, who then donated it to the local museum.

Local organisations and businesses generously contributed to the project.

The Hastings Men’s Shed donated the metal steam pipe that forms the base and other metal components.

Bennetts Steel, JWELD, ARC and Dorvick also contributed steel for the project.

Many locals would have memories of Mrs York in the garden in the 1960s.

Thanks to the Friends of Mrs York’s Garden, locals and visitors continue to enjoy the gardens, which are now a cherished part of the local landscape.

By Pauline CAIN