The Iris of Foundation Daw Park
On a rock near one of the front gates of The Repatriation General Hospital there is a plaque that simply says, “In Memory of Gilbert Cole, the ‘Iris Man’.”
Gilbert Cole was a veteran with a passion for the Bearded Iris. He imported many varieties to create his collection which was presented to the hospital by Gilbert’s widow in his memory. Each spring, the colourful well-groomed gardens at The Repat are enhanced by the extended blooming of the many varieties of Bearded Iris that continue to be cultivated by the gardeners.
There is not a lot we know of Gilbert other than that he was a World War Two veteran who had this passion for the Bearded Iris. But the little we do know is an important piece of the mosaic that captures the community ethos unique to this hospital.
We have chosen to keep alive the memory of Gilbert Cole, the “Iris man” and his passion for his favourite flower through the design of a blue iris pin which is now part of our branding and fund-raising activities towards raising funds for medical research at the hospital.
It sums up the sense of community that is The Repat: the veterans, the gardens, community health and well-being; and the importance of caring about and investing in the future.