Fletcher Jones used to hold a Christmas party for his staff in the gardens each year and from December 2014, new owner, Dean Montgomery has welcomed community Christmas parties in the gardens.  Organised by the artists collective, F Project - the community celebrations have a festival atmosphere - artists markets, music, food, performance and art transform the gardens into a place for people of all ages to roam or sit and enjoy the gardens.     These are private gardens that have always been loved by the public. Lots of people still like to visit and spend time in the gardens, just as thousands did in the past.  It's wonderful to see them being rejuvenated now and equally wonderful that community and public access to the gardens is welcomed by the new owner.  

The community Christmas parties in the gardens have proven to be a wonderful celebration of the past and present connection to the site.  They bring life, colour, creativity and joy to the Pleasant Hill site.  In 2015, it was wonderful to have eighteen members of the Jones family join in the festivities.  They travelled from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and even Germany to attend the picnic and the unveiling of the first FJ story panel!  

 

 

 

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2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2014 Christmas Picnic in the gardens poster.  Designed by Nathan Pye
2014 Christmas Picnic in the gardens poster. Designed by Nathan Pye
2015 Christmas Picnic in the gardens poster.  Designed by Nathan Pye
2015 Christmas Picnic in the gardens poster. Designed by Nathan Pye
At the 2015 Christmas Party in the gardens, 18 members of the Jones family joined in the festivities. They travelled from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Germany to attend the picnic and the unveiling of the first FJ story panel.  Photo Colleen Hughson 
At the 2015 Christmas Party in the gardens, 18 members of the Jones family joined in the festivities. They travelled from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Germany to attend the picnic and the unveiling of the first FJ story panel.  Photo Colleen Hughson 
Grandchildren of Fletcher Jones - Anne Jones, Rena Cotter (nee Jones) and Susan Jones at a 1961 Christmas Party in the FJ gardens.
Grandchildren of Fletcher Jones - Anne Jones, Rena Cotter (nee Jones) and Susan Jones at a 1961 Christmas Party in the FJ gardens.
Grandchildren of Fletcher Jones - Anne Jones, Rena Cotter (nee Jones) and Susan Jones strike a similar pose as they did as children in 1961 by the wishing well - this time in 2015 at the F Project Community Christmas Party in the FJ gardens! 
Grandchildren of Fletcher Jones - Anne Jones, Rena Cotter (nee Jones) and Susan Jones strike a similar pose as they did as children in 1961 by the wishing well - this time in 2015 at the F Project Community Christmas Party in the FJ gardens! 
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
2015 Christmas Party in the FJ Gardens - Photo Colleen Hughson
18 members of the Jones family joined in the 2015 Christmas Party in the gardens. Here they are gathered after the unveiling of the first FJ story panel.  Photo Colleen Hughson 
18 members of the Jones family joined in the 2015 Christmas Party in the gardens. Here they are gathered after the unveiling of the first FJ story panel.  Photo Colleen Hughson