Three Things I Love: Perth garden goddess Sabrina Hahn on radio, Kings Park and a family heirloom
By Sabrina Hahn
Each week, WAtoday reaches out to the Perth community to discover three things people love most about our coastal capital. Today we feature master gardener, horticultural professional, sustainability advocate and award-winning radio presenter and writer Sabrina Hahn.
Sabrina Hahn.
1. Radio. I love radio. Growing up in country towns it was our source of information, and contact with the outside world. The radio was on all day and night, and became like a family friend in the kitchen.
Radio is a unique medium to work in. It’s personal, spontaneous and a two-way street, allowing people to get to know you, and you to enter their hearts and homes and know them. The kids who were forced to listen to me on the way to sport with their parents now have their own kids, and ring in with gardening questions.
The station turned 100 years old a couple of weeks ago, and has been part of WA for that entire time. I feel so privileged to have chatted with so many our listeners in Perth and the country over the past 28 years and the regulars who have become part of the ABC family. Being able to connect with so many country people is an honour.
There’s no hiding who you are in radio, personality oozes through the airwaves, and we have had some absolute gems that warm peoples heart and make their day a little better. Most people will have some difficult times in their lives; I want to convey a little sunshine and joy to their day, encourage them to spend time mucking about outside and embrace the beauty of nature.
2. Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. How fortunate is Perth to have one of the best botanic gardens in the world? This is a treasure accessible to all ages and levels of ability, showcasing our incredibly diverse flora, and of course one of the most spectacular views in Perth.
You don’t need to have an interest in plants. The playgrounds, barbecue areas, concerts, special events or simply going for a walk in nature is all available. I’m like a kid in an ice-cream shop when I visit.
So many people have so many fond memories and international visitors to the park are astonished at our flora. I love the fact you can ‘visit’ every region of WA there, without leaving the city.
I have taken all three of my children to Kings Park and Botanic Gardens when they were very young and lifted them up to overlook the city, to let them know: this is your home, this is where you will find your sense of place, this is a beautiful and vibrant place to live, and you are so fortunate.
3. My mother’s fox-fur. I have always loved playing dress-ups and in fact still do, but my favourite outfit was my mother’s fox fur, which I wore often from the age of five to the present day. This classy ensemble included Mum’s red stiletto shoes, bits of fern stuck in my hair and a beaded bag. I could walk in the stilettos better when aged five than I would today.
The fur was used as a child for the game ‘going to the opera’. I was both the usher collecting tickets, and the opera singer, the fur being multi-purposed for each role. The stage was in the loungeroom where the record player lived, and my four siblings were made to endure their sister’s stunning performance.
I have to say Perth is the only place that I feel comfortable wearing the fur now I’m more than five years old because people don’t judge me for it. Considering it’s 80 years old now, I’m hoping to be in as good shape when I reach 80 (but with the flesh bits still inside).
The fur’s Perth appearances have included opera at His Majesty’s, the ballet in Kings Park, Crown Perth and many, many parties over the years. Perth people are more fascinated by it than appalled … which is another reason I love living here.
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