"Lake Albacutya' took delivery of a truck load of "water' and eagles landed during a busy few hours of hard work at the Oasis Desert Garden in Rainbow on Sunday.

While the only real water came from hoses watering newly-planted trees, the garden's Albacutya Lake area took even better shape at the Working bee which involved 14 energetic locals.

The Garden, which is a feature of the Small Town Transformations Project old primary school refurbishment, will not only feature a Lake Albacutya area, but also a Mallee garden, plenty of paths and a performance area.

Volunteers at the Sunday working bee moved mulch onto existing garden beds plus onto the "hills' next to the Albacutya area.

Project Manager Adelle Rohrsheim said it was a productive day and a great turn out considering the many other working bees which have been held during the year.

She said the garden highlight was taking delivery of a Chug Fuller original sculpture which will overlook the lake area.

"It is a fabulous eagle's nest and will sit in the same spot where eagles are often seen at Albacutya - it really is the icing on the cake for the garden and we are thrilled with Chug's very generous and impressive donation.

"During the day we also had a delivery of quarry gravel from Rob Koning to feature in the middle of Albacutya and to represent water and we put in some more trees and plants.

"Other people were also busy doing some cleaning inside the building too."

She said Rainbow was lucky to have so many people like Chug and the many other volunteer workers to support the Oasis project.

"Everyone has worked so hard over many months and we have achieved so much. Now we have only a couple more working bee's organized, one again this Sunday to put the finishing touches on the garden before its opening on October 14.

"This Sunday we'll need help extending the stone path leading over to the block adjacent from the oval and we'd also like to start painting inside the building."

Ms Rohrsheim said that the working bee this Sunday would again run from 10 am to 2 pm and would include a free BBQ for volunteers.

"Everyone is welcome and urged to also keep October 14 free when the Oasis project will have its official launch to the community."

The Oasis is a part of the Small Town Transformations project initiated by the Victorian Government, managed by Regional Arts Victoria.


Photos by Adelle Rohrsheim