Guiding visitors to discover the gardens

40 years of friends: FBBG patron Professor Tim Entwisle, and Friends Wendy Taylor, Elizabeth Gilfillan, Warwick Sellens, and Terry O’Brien were proud to launch the guide. Photo: EDWINA WILLIAMS

ROYAL Botanic Gardens Victoria’s director Professor Tim Entwisle has shared in the Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens’ ongoing fortieth birthday celebrations.

During FBBG’s annual general meeting, the long-time patron of the Friends officially launched a 32-page booklet produced by members, titled Explore An Eden of Loveliness.

Mr Entwisle said it provides a “snapshot” of the overall experience of the Gardens.

“The booklet is not just marking 40 years of the wonderful, dedicated Friends who have supported the Gardens, but has been designed to attract more people to discover the beautiful Gardens,” he said.

“It tells you some of the things you might see here, what grows here, what things look like… Just enough information to entice people here, but not too much, so you have plenty more learning to do once you arrive at the Gardens.

“It doesn’t just focus on plants, but the Botanical Gardens as a place people visit for a variety of reasons. As we emerge from COVID, they are becoming more and more popular as major tourist destinations.”

Explore an Eden of Loveliness has been written by members of the Friends.

FBBG president Terry O’Brien said the booklet, which currently includes a special 40th anniversary wrap-around poster, is a special souvenir for visitors, and will be available through the FBBG Nursery.

“When people come to the Gardens, they do like a reminder of their experience, and the booklet does that,” he said.

“There’s enough information in it that it’s a great visitors’ guide, and there’s a sketched map in the back which can be used to assist visitors. Our Friends have supplied the photos as well.”

Ballarat Botanical Gardens curator Peter Marquand spoke at the AGM all about how the city’s parks and gardens team irrigate the green space, and manage its ageing watering systems.

Following the AGM, the Friends’ enjoyed ruby anniversary-themed snacks and champagne in the garden behind the Robert Clark Centre.

A special 40th anniversary cocktail party was postponed earlier in the month but will be rescheduled to September or October.