Researching, enjoying and preserving Australia's gardening heritage, horticulture landscape design and architecture.
Welcome to the Australian Garden History SocietyFormed 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. |
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New MembersAre 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. |
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CURRENT ISSUE of the AGHS JOURNALAustralian Garden HistoryVolume 23 Number 4 April/May/June 2012 In members letterboxes soon! |
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33rd Annual National ConferenceBallarat, Victoria9-11 November 2012Optional 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. |
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Current Projects Being Undertaken by the AGHSIn 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.
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AGHS AdvocacyA 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. |
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AGHS CardsThe 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. |
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Botany Behind Gardens
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AGHS BranchesThe 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. |
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Special Book Offer to AGHS MembersAlexander 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. |
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Recent Issues of Australian Garden HistoryOctober/November/December 2011
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. |
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