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 Longley Building which is used for meetings of the FBBG and also houses the library and information leaflets. George Longley was the first curator of the gardens in 1858 and lived in a tent onsite with his family for the first two years of his 40 year career.  

We then meandered through the original fernery and admired the magnificent new fernery currently under construction. Recycled materials are being used which will far outlast timber.  Next we visited the recently relocated and restored Gatekeeper’s Cottage where Julie Bradby talked about her establishment of Botanikids. This is a program where schools are encouraged to bring the children along to learn about, and appreciate, the trees and the gardens in general.  

We then enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the gardens admiring the lily pond, the sculptures, the Prime Minister’s Walk and the different varieties of shrubs and trees. Sandi was very knowledgeable and informative and her passion for the gardens was clearly obvious. 

A picnic morning tea under the trees on the foreshore of the lake was the perfect way to end a very enjoyable morning.  

Thank you Andrew, this was a lovely way to start our year visiting and admiring gardens with a very friendly group of people. 

 














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