Garden Centres of South Australia have now raised nearly $50,000 over the past three years for the McGrath Foundation to support cancer care nurses.
This year the ‘Strike Me Pink!’ campaign in March raised $19,129, the best in the three years it has been conducted. in 2024 and 2025 the combined tally was just $30,000. The campaign has been a highlight for Garden Centres of SA, a group of 11 garden centres in the state plus one from Broken Hill.
Former group manager Neville Sloss says it has been a fantastic achievement.
“It has certainly been one of the highlights of my 10 years with the group. I have worked with the nursery and garden industry for nearly 45 years, both nationally and in SA, and to my knowledge the industry across Australia has never supported a charity to the extent that GCSA has with Strike me Pink!”
The campaign began as a result of a situation which confronted one of GCSA’s members in 2024. Samantha Bartsch, wife of Daniel Bartsch from Barossa Nursery was diagnosed with breast cancer and has now fully recovered and was very thankful of the support given by her McGrath Foundation funded nurse. When they first heard the news, GCSA members decided they wanted to do something positive in response and the Strike Me Pink! campaign was started.
“ It has been a great way to end my involvement with GCSA and I do hope that members decide to continue it into the future.”
Neville retired from GCSA in March and nursery industry consultancy Gro Australia has taken on the role. For more formation contact Tracy Blake, tracy@groaustralia.com
