Backyard oasis brings comfort after attack

Geraldton resident Alan Greenwood has adapted his garden so he can tend to it from his wheelchair.

The former manager from the Pilbara has been in Geraldton for 12 years and moved to his Fitzgerald Street unit about 10 months ago.

Alan has been in a wheelchair for seven years, the result of a degenerative spine and infection after a knife attack. He now finds solace in his garden.

“Started with a bare patio,” Alan said. “And built everything up. My friend Dee helped and my mate Doug done the drilling.”

I asked if he had any particular favourite plants.

“No, but I have a wide variety, from the canes out the front up to high-grade ferns that need a lot of attention and all points in between.

“They are all my companions.”

Before the attack, Alan said he worked at Karijini National Park and at Onslow and communities at Wakuthuni, Tom Price, Pannawonica and Wittenoom.

He also worked down south in the Peel region.

Alan said a little sewing group he started in Boddington with just two sewing machines, was now world famous, using their own material to make dresses.