Leigh Creek was built on a treeless plain covered with ironstone gibbers. With variable rainfall, growing conditions for trees and gardens was not promising. Advice was sought from Noel Lothian, Director of Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens, and by 1954 an extensive garden and tree planting project was underway. Practically every writer who visited Leigh Creek after the 1950s described it as “an Oasis in the Desert” - and with good reason, After only a few years of settlement the growth of trees, lawns and gardens was amazing and gave character as well as shade and beauty to the fast growing township. 

Water - The Essential Element

The search for a suitable source of water started in earnest as early as 1941. By 1944 Leigh Creek’s water was provided by bores at Sliding Rock. This water had a high salinity and supply was inadequate to meet the needs of the growing town and mine so it was decided to build a reservoir at Aroona Gorge, just west of Copley. Construction began in 1952 and was completed in November 1955. The dam wall height of 65 feet made a reservoir capable of holding 1,650 million gallons of water. It was this water that greened Leigh Creek.

Tree Culture

Initially, after researching what surrounding pastoralists were growing in their station gardens, a number of tree seedlings were sourced from New South Wales. By 1946, with severe drought and salty water from Sliding Rock, very few of these seedlings still survived. After this initial setback advice was sought from a number of sources including Mr Noel Lothian, the Director of Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens. By 1954 a large-scale gardening and tree planting project was underway and the town had its own nursery which raised 10,000 trees and shrubs. As late as 1960, 500 trees a year were still being planted in the town streets and parks.

1950s

1960s

1970s

East & West Parklands

Tree planting was equally important in Leigh Creek South. Although there was more emphasis on native gardens and rock mulch, around 400 native species were assessed for planting at the new town site. Many of the plants selected were native to Western Australia, where the climate and rainfall was similar to Leigh Creek. The buffer zones around the town were also planted with native species to help blend the town structure into the landscape. This innovative horticultural program, including street scaping, irrigation programs and plant propagation, gained recognition around the world as a unique pioneering project.

Lawns & Gardens

It is a credit to all those residents who worked hard to nurture trees, lawns and gardens over the years.
The beautification of Leigh Creek was certainly a factor that many remember fondly.

The First Garden Competition - 1954

In 1954 Noel Lothian suggested a gardening competition. Generous prize money, put up by ETSA, encouraged more gardens to be established – with manure even being carted from the stables at Copley. Noel was the official judge of the competition and remarked that the Leigh Creek gardens lost nothing in comparison with those in the city. Noel continued his role as Judge of the annual Leigh Creek Garden Competition through until 1978, by when it was apparent that the town was on the move and many gardens were abandoned.

Inaugural Leigh Creek Produce and Flower Show - 1957

Bert Clarke - Champion Gardener

Enid Pengilly - Champion Gardener

Jack Graham 1966-1969

Kevin & Mary Waters - 1970s

What good is a garden without a party?

Colin & Shirley Mundy’s flat on Fourth Street - 1971 to 1975

Roses

Vegetables

“Like an Oasis”