Garden overflows with character

By Caitlyn Grant

Mar 25, 2022

With Robyn McDermott’s keen eye for curating and seeing treasure in everyday items, and her husband Ian’s handiwork on the tools, there’s a surprise at every turn in their backyard.

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At their Shepparton North property, the McDermotts have created an oasis unlike any run-of-the-mill garden.

Though a considerable downsize from their Lemnos farm, the couple took with them the essence of what it was.

Good eye: Robyn and Ian McDermott make the perfect gardening team. Photo by Caitlyn Grant

“When we came here, the area was all overgrown trees and so much shade, so we pulled it all out and wanted something a little bit different,” Robyn said.

Low-maintenance, grandchildren-friendly and straying from the everyday garden were on the checklist when creating their outdoor space, and of course, a flash barbecue and bar area.

Little things: The bar and barbecue area is decorated with bits and pieces. Photo by Caitlyn Grant

“It was always sort of the plan to move closer into town; Ian had always lived out of town so he was a bit reluctant at first but we’re in a lovely spot,” Robyn said.

The hesitancy of making the move was overcome by taking with them pieces of the farm, albeit in a new, upcycled way.

Eclectic: The blue door to nowhere. Photo by Caitlyn Grant

Robyn comes up with the ideas and Ian, usually without much complaint, fashions beautiful ornaments that now line their garden.

Tractor seats fastened to a wooden bench, antique milk cans, repurposed barbed wire fence droppers and pieces of timber turned furniture are among some of their creations.

Farm life: The couple has repurposed farm items to give the garden a rustic charm.

As the garden winds around, it opens to separate worlds.

Hidden between shrubbery is the bunny garden, housing a family of ornamental rabbits that swap and change positions, often moved by little hands of grandchildren.

In honour of the grandkids, a signpost with their five names sits high above the bushes in the garden.

Family: The McDermotts’ grandchildren’s names, pointing to where they live. Photo by Caitlyn Grant

Painted in bright red, the names point in different directions, towards where each child is living.

Adjacent is the “door to nowhere”, as the McDermotts call it, a stark blue door stuck to their shed surrounded by a setting reminiscent of the gold rush.

Curated: The garden has many ornaments to make it whole.

“We try to use what we have around the place or finding things second-hand — we love going to junk places and clearing sales, finding bits and pieces to try to incorporate,” Robyn said.

“We’re always adding and taking things away, seeing where things sort of work, it’s all a bit of fun.”