In addition to bringing great numbers of visitors to the shire, Tulip Time is also a wonderful opportunity for some much-needed publicity and exposure for some of our nation's most needy charities.

This year we have the great honour in having the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation joining us for our 56th anniversary celebrations.

Invited to the launch is this year's ambassador, Marcella Zemanek.

Marcella is a former radio producer who has dedicated much of her time to finding a cure for brain cancer since losing her husband, radio personality Stan Zemanek, to the disease in 2007.

Joining Marcella will be councillors, members of our Tulip Time Working Group and staff from our own Parks and Gardens team who have the huge responsibility of creating this year's gardens.

Here's hoping that yesterday's weather was kind to us and the bulb planting went off without a hitch.

Now without giving too much away, I will say that I can't wait to see Corbett Gardens transformed into a floral Wonderland in just over 130 days!

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Tomorrow the Salvation Army will officially launch its 2016 Business Breakfast and Red Shield Appeal Launch at Bendooley Estate in Berrima.

The Red Shield Appeal is the Salvation Army's largest annual fundraiser with monies collected to help the less fortunate.

This includes clothing, food, support for education and even housing.

Reservations for tomorrow's 7am business breakfast have now closed but fingers crossed that by the end of the morning function some generous local donations have been secured.

Remember to dig deep for this year's Red Shield Appeal Doorknock which takes place over the weekend of May 28 and 29.

To learn more about the Red Shield Appeal or to register as a volunteer for the collection weekend visit www.salvos.org.au.