The chief custodian of the garden on her family’s Southern Tablelands farm, Laurel Martin, is blind, but turns adversity to advantage.
Story Kirsty McKenzie Photo Ken Brass
Blue hoses in the garden at Terry Hie near Lake Bathurst south of Goulburn in the NSW Southern Tablelands are the only clue that its chief custodian, Laurel Martin is blind. Laurel lost part of her eyesight 10 years ago, and the rest in 2024, when she suffered an ocular stroke. She can see vague outlines, but has difficulty distinguishing shades of green, so finds blue hoses less of a trip hazard. These days, the fiercely independent gardener still does the bulk of the 1.6ha garden maintenance on her own, aided by her guide dog, Rachael ‘Raz’, her husband Stuart and sons Thomas, Reilly and James. Laurel is also quick to credit her offsider Ryan Wilson of Gardens by RJ, who sculpts beautifully straight hedging and spherical bushes.
This story excerpt is from Issue #168
Outback Magazine: Aug/Sep 2026
