MAGA ZINE I S S U E NO.12
" When I am in my garden time seems to disappear. "
WHEN TERESA ZARLENGA bought her home in Red Hill in 1995, it was a small and rather uninspiring ex-govvie. She set about orchestrating a massive renovation— tripling its size, setting aside room for a home studio where she makes bespoke clothing for clients, and even including an “Opera Wing”. By this, Teresa means a 7.5 metre by 7.5 metre room in which she brings together notable singers with appreciative audiences. The room has superior acoustics and a large bank of windows overlooking the back garden, which is an equal passion. Teresa’s Italian heritage comes to the fore in the layout of the garden with its 27 fruit trees, sturdy grape vine which this year produced 200 kilos of grapes, vegetable garden, rose garden, water feature and six happy chooks. “When I am in my garden time seems to disappear, I never feel tired going from one job to another. Gardening also gives me an opportunity to share produce and plants. During a very difficult time in my life I think my garden saved me. I am so proud of what I have created on my own,” she said. Teresa’s obsession for opera has seen her host 17 musical events in her home. “I love opera and my dream has always been to encourage people who had not had the opportunity to experience opera to actually try it. I can be very persuasive!”
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