The Western Australia branch invites interstate members to come west for the 44th Annual National Conference (18 to 20 October 2024) in the coastal city of Bunbury, about two hours’ drive south of Perth. (Non-members can Zoom into the lectures from around the world.) Visits during the conference will include places of early settlement when the colony saw its future in the hands of Hesperus, the god of the west wind.
Colonisation of the western sector of New Holland was considered a venture that offered trading opportunities with the large British populations in India, and after 1814, the British Cape colony on the southern tip of Africa. The initial settlement on the Swan River in 1829 was championed by Captain James Stirling, who had convinced the British Government to support the establishment of a colony by free settlers. The name he contemplated for the new colony was Hesperia from Hesperus, the Greek name for the god of the west wind. This was not adopted, with the name the Swan River Colony being used until it became officially Western Australia in 1832.
So come to Hesperia where the landscapes are varied and the horticulture, equally so. They offer you a chance to escape to the country, to explore the variety and history of this South West land. We earnestly appeal to you to come ‘Bunburying’ with us, to live another life in far WA for a few days, converse with friends and immerse yourselves in the gardens of this beautiful area of the South West corner of our continent.
MOBILITY CONSIDERATIONS: Full conference delegates attending garden visits must travel on conference coaches and be fit and capable of walking at least 3km unassisted. Please note that some gardens may involve uneven ground, sloping terrain, stairs and steps. If you require assistance, please make arrangements for a personal carer to be included in your booking and notify AGHS by email.
Alternatively, consider attending the conference as a “Lectures Only” delegate.
REGISTER: To register online for the AGHS National Conference 2024, we encourage you to login to your AGHS member account before completing the booking form below, as this will simplify the process and retain a record in your account. But if you can’t login don’t worry, you can simply complete the booking form below and click “PAY NOW” to process payment.
Payment methods accepted are credit/debit card (0.95% surcharge added), bank transfer (no surcharge unless international) or cheque (no surcharge).
Alternatively, for postal bookings please print, complete and post the booking form at the end of the AGHS Conference Brochure 2024.
Numbers are limited so register soon to avoid missing out.
The Australian Garden History Society reserves the right to make changes to the conference program and tour itineraries as deemed necessary.