Tour the gardens at twilight

TAKE a twilight tour and learn something new with the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens this Friday, 24 January.

Guides will explore the Australian identity and how it has emerged, as they wander around the gardens and gain further appreciation of the events that have shaped the country’s spirit.

Convenor of the FBBG Guides, Terry O’Brien said the Prime Ministers Walk, and contributions made by the PMs featured, will be a specific focus, as visual reminders of altering time periods.

The tour acts as a prelude to Australia Day celebrations and Mr O’Brien said the national day is “evolving.

“Australia was a land of many nations for thousands of years when Aboriginal Australia had hundreds of distinct clan groups bounded by their own borders,” he said.

“Our more recent history saw the Australian colonies federate in 1901 and we formed a new nation, the Commonwealth of Australia.

“In BBG we have the busts of all the Prime Ministers that have led our country since 1901 and this avenue of busts provides a fitting environment for us to reflect on our history and how Australia has changed.”

Everyone is welcome to meet near the Robert Clark Conservatory, under the shade of the Turkey Oak, to start the tour at 5pm.