Australian Garden History Society

Welcome to the Australian Garden History Society

Formed in 1980, the AGHS brings together people united by an appreciation of and concern for our parks, gardens and cultural landscapes as part of Australia's heritage.

The Society promotes knowledge of historic gardens and research into their history. It aims to examine gardens and gardening in their widest social, historic, literary, artistic and scientific context.

New Members

Are you a member of the Australian Garden History Society?

The Society welcomes new members.

Apart from receiving the Society’s excellent journal Australian Garden History, mailed directly to you four times a year, members receive many other benefits. Gift Memberships are also available and make a wonderful Christmas gift.

More details about joining are available on the Membership page. Join online today or print and post an application form.

CURRENT ISSUE of the AGHS JOURNAL

Australian Garden History

Volume 23 Number 4

April/May/June 2012

In members letterboxes soon!

33rd Annual National Conference

Ballarat, Victoria

9-11 November 2012

Optional Day Monday 12 November

Pre Conference Tour 5-7 November

Post Conference Tour 13-15 November

The 33rd Annual National Conference of the Australian Garden History Society ‘Gardens of a Golden Era’ will be held in Ballarat, the jewel in the crown of the Victorian goldfields. With a population of nearly 100,000 people, Ballarat celebrates its past while continuing to grow. With the discovery of rich alluvial goldfields in the 1850s thousands flocked to Ballarat from around the world to seek their fortune. The resultant wealth has left an outstanding urban landscape with wide boulevards, grand Victorian architecture, historic precincts, public statuary, Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, said to be the finest regional botanical gardens in Australia with many significant trees and buildings. Ballarat is reputed to have the greatest concentration of public statuary in any Australian city. The colourful history includes the Eureka Rebellion in 1854, often linked to the birth of democracy in Australia.

In contrast to the 2011 conference venue (Maryborough Qld), Ballarat has hot dry summers and cool wet winters with occasional snow. Although the climate is officially described as moderate, many regard the winter as severe. The date of the conference has been fixed to take advantage of the milder spring weather.

The conference program will reflect the heritage of Ballarat and locate the city and region in their geological and historical context and combines lectures with garden visits.

For more information view the full conference brochure.

Bookings open 23 April 2012.

Book online or download the booking form attached to the full brochure and post to the AGHS office.

Current Projects Being Undertaken by the AGHS

In June 2011 the National Management Committee allocated funds to a number of projects. The first Object of the Society is to promote interest in, and research into, significant cultural landscapes and the systematic identifying, recording and restoration of historic gardens, as an important component of Australia’s heritage. A number of projects have been adopted to further this Object: projects to raise awareness about the existence of the Society, to better disseminate information and improve communication and projects to advance and encourage garden and landscape research, recording and conservation. In addition $12,560 was to earmarked for projects under the aegis of the Kindred Spirits Fund.

The National Management Committee has been working hard to ensure that Society funds are spent appropriately and productively.

2011-12 has been an exciting year with many of these projects now underway:

A report on The Botany Behind Gardens Forum can already be found below. This most successful and stimulating event held in October 2011 at the School of Botany University of Melbourne included an optional visit to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. The Society was able to make a sizable donation of $2,500 to the Botany Foundation, due in part to the generous contributions of many of the people who volunteered their time over the two days.

Funding Post Graduate Studies

This project is aimed to develop closer links between the Society and various institutions working in horticulture and related sciences in fields which are of interest to the Society. Burnley College of Horticulture, the University of Melbourne was identified as the institution with which to run a pilot. For more detail on this project read The Australian Garden History Society and University of Melbourne joint research project on the Victorian branch's page.

AGHS Restoration Fund for Historic Gardens

The AGHS Restoration Fund for Historic Gardens was established in 2008 to assist with practical conservation works in historic gardens. In 2011 Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria and Myall Park Botanic Gardens in Glenmorgan Queensland successfully applied for funding of $10,000 each. Buda sought funding to remove and replace the senescent Cypresses hedge, and Myall Park the restoration of a Hakea bed. Both projects are underway and due to be completed by June 2012. Click below for more information about how AGHS funds are making a difference in both of these significant historic gardens.

Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria.

Myall Park Botanic Gardens in Glenmorgan Queensland.

Inventories of Significant Historic Gardens

If the Society knew more about existing heritage lists – their scope, criteria, availability, quality and gaps - it could refer to them to determine the significance of specific gardens or use them to start drawing up its own list. This would be useful for its advocacy, education and research activities.

2010 Pilot Study

In 2010 the Society commissioned consultants to examine how well historic gardens are represented on heritage lists in Queensland. Catherine Brouwer Landscape Architects in association with Nissen Associates and produce a report. Background to this pilot project and a summary of the report can be accessed by clicking here.

2011 Australia Wide Study

The Society was aware that the situation in other states may be different to that in Queensland, due to work done by the National Trust and the openness of state registers to listing gardens and landscapes. Accordingly in 2011 the Society has commissioned heritage architect and planner Dr Tim Hubbard and horticultural consultant and heritage consultant Annabel Neylon (Context) to look at the position with respect to the representation of historic gardens on state and local government heritage lists in the other states and the ACT. This report is due before the end of June 2012. For background and brief.

Other AGHS projects are being developed. Reports will be made in the future as they come to fruition.

AGHS Advocacy

A win for the Avenue of Honour Bacchus Marsh, Victoria

The Society has been working hard to protect historic gardens and cultural landscapes through its advocacy work. This happens at both national and branch level. Of national importance has been the fight to protect the integrity of the Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh from a proposal by VicRoads to remove a number of mature elms and insert a crossroad and roundabout into the Avenue.

The Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria is perhaps the most impressive Avenue of Honour in Australia. Three kilometres in length, with 281 elm trees, the Avenue is one of the most extensive in Australia. The fertile ground into which the avenue was planted in 1918 and an adequate supply of water have meant that the elms have grown well and now provide a majestic cathedral-like arching canopy over the road. Of outstanding beauty, they form part of a cultural landscape of great heritage significance. The Avenue is of social and historical significance, in addition to its outstanding beauty. Each tree has its own special significance as a memorial to the serviceman whose name it bears.

After a long campaign in which the Society played a small but key role, the Victorian Minister for Planning, The Hon. Matthew Guy determined to refuse the permit. In his Media release dated 26 January and headed ‘Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour preserved for future generations’, the Minister said that he believed that ‘it is critical to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted nature of this significant cultural heritage landmark.’

Click here for a history of the campaign and the Society’s involvement.

AGHS Cards

The AGHS has produced a set of 4 stunning cards on the subject of trees, photographed by Trisha Dixon Burkitt. These are now available for purchase in packs of 8 (2 cards of each design per pack).

Cost: $20 per pack (plus postage) – excellent value at just $2.50 for each card.

Order online using the purchase form, or contact the AGHS office 1800 678 446 or 03 9650 5043.

Botany Behind Gardens

Saturday 22 October 2011

School of Botany University of Melbourne

This Forum sought to examine aspects of plant science and related disciplines that underpin our understanding of historic gardens and cultural landscapes.

This most successful event was attended by almost 90 members and non-members who enjoyed a full morning of lectures, explored the System Garden, turned the pages of many precious botanical books held at the Baillieu Library and embarked on a self guided tour of the grounds enthused by an introductory talk.

The following day, many chose to take up the optional tour to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne where Paul Thompson shared his insights into the design and the planting of stage 1 and stage 2.

Participants felt privileged to spend the one or two days with experts in their fields. The Society was pleased to be able to make a generous donation to support the Pauline Ladiges Plant Systematics Research Fellowship Endowment within the School of Botany.

Click here for a full report on both days.

Speakers:

‘Whats in a Name’ – Professor Pauline Ladiges
‘The Ecology of a Garden’ – Professor David Cantrill
‘Weed – a Botanical Category?’ – Dr John Dwyer QC
‘Trophy Hunters of the Plant World’ – Dr Paul Fox
‘The Grounds of the University of Melbourne: a brief introduction’ (and pamphlet) - Dr Andrew Saniga

All of these talks are now available for download. Contact the AGHS Office at info@gardenhistorysociety.org.au for details.

AGHS Branches

The AGHS has eight state/regional branches across Australia.

To find out what’s happening in your region visit the branch pages.

Read what's happening in the Sydney and Northern NSW branch in its latest newsletter or in the Queensland branch with its latest newsletter.

Special Book Offer to AGHS Members

Alexander Macleay From Scotland to Sydney

by Derelie Cherry

Published by Paradise Publishers

The first biography of this extraordinary Scottish gentleman.

AGHS Members Price $45.00 (RRP $59.95)

For more information and to purchase click here.

Recent Issues of Australian Garden History

January/February/March 2011

October/November/December 2011

July/August/September 2011

April/May/June 2011

Index opens up past issues...

It's now easy to find an article, garden, or other gem in past issues of Australian Garden History with the Index to Volumes 1-15 of Australian Garden History.

Compiled by AGHS member Kirstie McRobert, this comprehensive index covers Australian Garden History from 1989-2004.

A printed version is available for $20.00 (including postage) from the AGHS office.

Don't despair if you find an article but don't have the issue. Back issues can be purchased using the purchase form or by contacting the AGHS office.

Associate YOUR name with the AGHS Website - see Sponsorship Guidelines.

Welcome to the Australian Garden History Society Formed in 1980, the AGHS brings together people united by an appreciation of and concern for our parks, gardens and cultural landscapes as part of Australia's heritage. The Society promotes knowledge of historic gardens and research into their history. It aims to examine gardens and gardening in their widest social, historic, literary, artistic and scientific context.
New Members Are you a member of the Australian Garden History Society? The Society welcomes new members. Apart from receiving the Society’s excellent journal Australian Garden History, mailed directly to you four times a year, members receive many other benefits. Gift Memberships are also available and make a wonderful Christmas gift. More details about joining are available on the Membership page. Join online today or print and post an application form.
CURRENT ISSUE of the AGHS JOURNAL Australian Garden History Volume 23 Number 4 April/May/June 2012 In members letterboxes soon!
33rd Annual National Conference Ballarat, Victoria 9-11 November 2012 Optional Day Monday 12 November Pre Conference Tour 5-7 November Post Conference Tour 13-15 November The 33rd Annual National Conference of the Australian Garden History Society ‘Gardens of a Golden Era’ will be held in Ballarat, the jewel in the crown of the Victorian goldfields. With a population of nearly 100,000 people, Ballarat celebrates its past while continuing to grow. With the discovery of rich alluvial goldfields in the 1850s thousands flocked to Ballarat from around the world to seek their fortune. The resultant wealth has left an outstanding urban landscape with wide boulevards, grand Victorian architecture, historic precincts, public statuary, Lake Wendouree and the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, said to be the finest regional botanical gardens in Australia with many significant trees and buildings. Ballarat is reputed to have the greatest concentration of public statuary in any Australian city. The colourful history includes the Eureka Rebellion in 1854, often linked to the birth of democracy in Australia. In contrast to the 2011 conference venue (Maryborough Qld), Ballarat has hot dry summers and cool wet winters with occasional snow. Although the climate is officially described as moderate, many regard the winter as severe. The date of the conference has been fixed to take advantage of the milder spring weather. The conference program will reflect the heritage of Ballarat and locate the city and region in their geological and historical context and combines lectures with garden visits. For more information view the full conference brochure. Bookings open 23 April 2012. Book online or download the booking form attached to the full brochure and post to the AGHS office.
Current Projects Being Undertaken by the AGHS In June 2011 the National Management Committee allocated funds to a number of projects. The first Object of the Society is to promote interest in, and research into, significant cultural landscapes and the systematic identifying, recording and restoration of historic gardens, as an important component of Australia’s heritage. A number of projects have been adopted to further this Object: projects to raise awareness about the existence of the Society, to better disseminate information and improve communication and projects to advance and encourage garden and landscape research, recording and conservation. In addition $12,560 was to earmarked for projects under the aegis of the Kindred Spirits Fund. The National Management Committee has been working hard to ensure that Society funds are spent appropriately and productively. 2011-12 has been an exciting year with many of these projects now underway: A report on The Botany Behind Gardens Forum can already be found below. This most successful and stimulating event held in October 2011 at the School of Botany University of Melbourne included an optional visit to Cranbourne Botanic Gardens. The Society was able to make a sizable donation of $2,500 to the Botany Foundation, due in part to the generous contributions of many of the people who volunteered their time over the two days. Funding Post Graduate Studies This project is aimed to develop closer links between the Society and various institutions working in horticulture and related sciences in fields which are of interest to the Society. Burnley College of Horticulture, the University of Melbourne was identified as the institution with which to run a pilot. For more detail on this project read The Australian Garden History Society and University of Melbourne joint research project on the Victorian branch's page. AGHS Restoration Fund for Historic Gardens The AGHS Restoration Fund for Historic Gardens was established in 2008 to assist with practical conservation works in historic gardens. In 2011 Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria and Myall Park Botanic Gardens in Glenmorgan Queensland successfully applied for funding of $10,000 each. Buda sought funding to remove and replace the senescent Cypresses hedge, and Myall Park the restoration of a Hakea bed. Both projects are underway and due to be completed by June 2012. Click below for more information about how AGHS funds are making a difference in both of these significant historic gardens. Buda Historic Home and Garden, Castlemaine, Victoria. Myall Park Botanic Gardens in Glenmorgan Queensland. Inventories of Significant Historic Gardens If the Society knew more about existing heritage lists – their scope, criteria, availability, quality and gaps - it could refer to them to determine the significance of specific gardens or use them to start drawing up its own list. This would be useful for its advocacy, education and research activities. 2010 Pilot Study In 2010 the Society commissioned consultants to examine how well historic gardens are represented on heritage lists in Queensland. Catherine Brouwer Landscape Architects in association with Nissen Associates and produce a report. Background to this pilot project and a summary of the report can be accessed by clicking here. 2011 Australia Wide Study The Society was aware that the situation in other states may be different to that in Queensland, due to work done by the National Trust and the openness of state registers to listing gardens and landscapes. Accordingly in 2011 the Society has commissioned heritage architect and planner Dr Tim Hubbard and horticultural consultant and heritage consultant Annabel Neylon (Context) to look at the position with respect to the representation of historic gardens on state and local government heritage lists in the other states and the ACT. This report is due before the end of June 2012. For background and brief. Other AGHS projects are being developed. Reports will be made in the future as they come to fruition.
AGHS Advocacy A win for the Avenue of Honour Bacchus Marsh, Victoria The Society has been working hard to protect historic gardens and cultural landscapes through its advocacy work. This happens at both national and branch level. Of national importance has been the fight to protect the integrity of the Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh from a proposal by VicRoads to remove a number of mature elms and insert a crossroad and roundabout into the Avenue. The Avenue of Honour at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria is perhaps the most impressive Avenue of Honour in Australia. Three kilometres in length, with 281 elm trees, the Avenue is one of the most extensive in Australia. The fertile ground into which the avenue was planted in 1918 and an adequate supply of water have meant that the elms have grown well and now provide a majestic cathedral-like arching canopy over the road. Of outstanding beauty, they form part of a cultural landscape of great heritage significance. The Avenue is of social and historical significance, in addition to its outstanding beauty. Each tree has its own special significance as a memorial to the serviceman whose name it bears. After a long campaign in which the Society played a small but key role, the Victorian Minister for Planning, The Hon. Matthew Guy determined to refuse the permit. In his Media release dated 26 January and headed ‘Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour preserved for future generations’, the Minister said that he believed that ‘it is critical to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted nature of this significant cultural heritage landmark.’ Click here for a history of the campaign and the Society’s involvement.
AGHS Cards The AGHS has produced a set of 4 stunning cards on the subject of trees, photographed by Trisha Dixon Burkitt. These are now available for purchase in packs of 8 (2 cards of each design per pack). Cost: $20 per pack (plus postage) – excellent value at just $2.50 for each card. Order online using the purchase form, or contact the AGHS office 1800 678 446 or 03 9650 5043.
Botany Behind Gardens Saturday 22 October 2011 School of Botany University of Melbourne This Forum sought to examine aspects of plant science and related disciplines that underpin our understanding of historic gardens and cultural landscapes. This most successful event was attended by almost 90 members and non-members who enjoyed a full morning of lectures, explored the System Garden, turned the pages of many precious botanical books held at the Baillieu Library and embarked on a self guided tour of the grounds enthused by an introductory talk. The following day, many chose to take up the optional tour to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne where Paul Thompson shared his insights into the design and the planting of stage 1 and stage 2. Participants felt privileged to spend the one or two days with experts in their fields. The Society was pleased to be able to make a generous donation to support the Pauline Ladiges Plant Systematics Research Fellowship Endowment within the School of Botany. Click here for a full report on both days. Speakers: ‘Whats in a Name’ – Professor Pauline Ladiges ‘The Ecology of a Garden’ – Professor David Cantrill ‘Weed – a Botanical Category?’ – Dr John Dwyer QC ‘Trophy Hunters of the Plant World’ – Dr Paul Fox ‘The Grounds of the University of Melbourne: a brief introduction’ (and pamphlet) - Dr Andrew Saniga All of these talks are now available for download. Contact the AGHS Office at info@gardenhistorysociety.org.au for details.
AGHS Branches The AGHS has eight state/regional branches across Australia. To find out what’s happening in your region visit the branch pages. Read what's happening in the Sydney and Northern NSW branch in its latest newsletter or in the Queensland branch with its latest newsletter.
Special Book Offer to AGHS Members Alexander Macleay From Scotland to Sydney by Derelie Cherry Published by Paradise Publishers The first biography of this extraordinary Scottish gentleman. AGHS Members Price $45.00 (RRP $59.95) For more information and to purchase click here.
Recent Issues of Australian Garden History January/February/March 2011 October/November/December 2011 July/August/September 2011 April/May/June 2011 Index opens up past issues... It's now easy to find an article, garden, or other gem in past issues of Australian Garden History with the Index to Volumes 1-15 of Australian Garden History. Compiled by AGHS member Kirstie McRobert, this comprehensive index covers Australian Garden History from 1989-2004. A printed version is available for $20.00 (including postage) from the AGHS office. Don't despair if you find an article but don't have the issue. Back issues can be purchased using the purchase form or by contacting the AGHS office. Associate YOUR name with the AGHS Website - see Sponsorship Guidelines.