Event 1 2021. Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Guided tour of the Botanical Gardens Event Report by Marianne Our first event for 2021 was well attended by 34 participants. Andrew welcomed the group then handed over to Terry O’ Brien, a member of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens Inc. ( and who will take over the role of President at the AGM later this month). Terry also welcomed us and gave a brief outline of the contributions made by the FBBG in the support and maintenance of the gardens. We divided into four groups each with our own leader, all of whom are members of FBBG. My group was lead by Sandi De Groot who graciously gave of her knowledge of the gardens and its beginnings. We started with a visit to the George Longl ey Building which is used for me etings of the FBBG and also houses the li brary and information leaflets. George Longley was the first curator of the gardens in 1858 a nd lived in a tent onsite with his family for the first two years of his 40 year career. We then meandered through