The AJA Gardner Children’s Lawn is a place of deep love, remembrance and quiet reflection. We understand how meaningful this space is for every family who visits.

Over the coming months, we will be carefully renewing the gardens to ensure this space continues to feel peaceful, comforting and beautiful for all who spend time here.

With great care, we will be:

• Refreshing garden beds and removing existing plantings
• Introducing elegant standard flowering trees to bring seasonal colour and light
• Levelling plaques where needed, to keep them safe, accessible and well-presented
• Renewing surrounding lawns and garden finishes

Every change has been thoughtfully considered to enhance the natural beauty of the space, while respecting its purpose as a place of remembrance.

Works will begin from 18 May 2026, and will take approximately 8 weeks.

This renewal is about more than landscaping.

It is about:

• Creating a space that feels calm, gentle and nurturing
• Ensuring families can comfortably spend time close to their loved ones
• Bringing soft colour, life and seasonal change into the garden
• Caring for this special place so it continues to reflect the love and memories held here

You are always welcome here.

The AJA Gardner Children’s Lawn will remain open, and you can continue to visit your loved one throughout the works.

At times, there may be temporary changes to access, but we will ensure clear pathways are always available.

All services, funerals and gatherings will continue as planned, with care taken to minimise any disruption.

While collecting mementos might be confronting for many families, it’s essential to ensure the works are completed safely.

Collection of mementos allows our teams to remove the existing plants and replace them with new trees. Often times mementos might include glass or ceramic items, which if broken could pose a safety hazard to our teams working on this project.

To ensure the works can be completed safely, we kindly request all mementos are collected by Sunday 17 May 2026. If you are unable to attend site to collect your items by this date, our teams will carefully collect and store your items to be picked up at a later date. Collection can be arranged by contacting our Customer Service team on 1300 466 904.

We recognise that the items placed here - toys, flowers, photos and tributes - carry deep meaning.

To allow this work to be completed safely, we kindly ask that, where possible, families take home any personal items by Sunday 17 May 2026.

If you’re unable to do so:

• Our team will carefully collect each item with respect
• Items will be labelled and safely kept for you
• Living tributes will be placed adjacent to the Children’s Lawn nearby in a suitable temporary space

Everything will be handled with the utmost care and understanding. You can arrange to pick up your items during business hours by contacting the customer service team.

Your loved one’s plaque will remain in its place.

Where needed, plaques may be gently lifted to allow levelling, and will be returned to the same position immediately.

The new planting palette has been chosen for its beauty, softness and seasonal interest. 

It includes: 

• Prunus 'Snofozam' (Snow Fountains) – cascading white blossom in spring 
• Prunus 'NCPH1' (Pink Cascade) – soft pink spring blossom 
• Malus 'Royal Raindrops' – vibrant pink flowers and rich foliage tones 
• Grafted weeping varieties of Grevillea, offering long flowering periods 

The new plantings are selected for their suitability to local conditions and their ability to provide gentle colour throughout the year. 

Late Winter

New foliage, flowers and buds bring warmth and light. 

Spring

Cascades of white and pink blossom create a soft floral canopy. 

Summer

Fresh green foliage and flowering grevilleas provide colour and life. 

Autumn

Warm seasonal tones appear before leaves gently fall from deciduous trees. 

Winter

Grevilleas maintain structure and colour, while sculptural branches allow sunlight to reach plaques. 

Some trees are deciduous, meaning they lose their leaves in autumn and allow more winter sunlight through. Others are evergreen, keeping their foliage year-round so the garden never feels bare. Together, this balance ensures beauty and comfort in every season.

We will continue to share updates through:

• Signage within the area
• Direct communication with families (letters and emails to Holders of Right)
• You can receive updates by registering at our website: www.engagewith.smct.org.au/childrens-lawn

We understand that any change in this space can feel deeply personal.

If you have questions, concerns, or would simply like to speak with someone, our team is here to support you.

Additional support services are also available should you need them.