What's On
May
Wednesday 20 May: Volunteers Week Soup Lunch, 12.30 pm - 3.00 pm
All our wonderful Friends Volunteers are invited to come together for what has become something of a tradition for the volunteers – a delicious soup lunch crafted by our own catering team. It’s a chance to unite and enjoy each other’s company for a few hours of friendship and recognition of a job well done. Heartwarming soup and bread following by a guest speaker. FREE EVENT for all FGBG Volunteers. Bookings essential, for catering purposes.
June
Tuesday 16 June: Winter Lunch at Mount Duneed with Guest Speaker Richard Barley MBE, 12.00 pm for 12.30 pm start.
We have great pleasure in inviting you and your friends to the FGBG Annual Winter Lunch at Mt Duneed Estate. In the cosy Vineyard Room with panoramic views acrossthe vines towards the Barrabool Hills. Head Chef Daniel Duve will prepare a gourmet two course lunch followed by tea or coffee. Drinks will be available at bar.
Guest Speaker - Richard Barley MBE FCIH CHort FLS ‘Reinvigorating the historic Kew Gardens landscape’
Born in Ballarat and educated in Geelong, Richard has built an influential career in horticulture spanning Australia and the UK. He began at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 1980, later becoming Director of the Melbourne Gardens before leading Open Gardens Australia as CEO. In 2013, he was appointed Director of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where he oversaw its world-renowned gardens, outreach programs, and the Wakehurst site. Awarded an MBE in 2023 for services to horticulture, Richard returned to Victoria in 2025 and now lives in Woodend with his family, working as a consultant and continuing to contribute his expertise to the field.
Members $95, Non-members $105
Bookings are essential and strickly due by 1 June 2026. Book Here
Please contact the Friends' Office on 5229 0071 for further information.
Sunday 21 June: Themed Discovery Walk 'Storm Water Harvesting and Reuse System' 2.00 pm
A guided tour to explore the Stormwater Harvesting Project in Eastern Park and how it has evolved over the years. The storm-water dam has created a natural wetland promoting diverse plant and animal life, providing valuable water for Geelong Botanic Gardens. Meet your guide at the front gates
July
Sunday 5 July: Botanic Art Workshop 'Hellebores' , 10.00 am - 4.00 pm, Large Meeting Room GBG
Discover the beauty of Hellebores in this Botanic Art Workshop with Amanda Blake-Sutterby. Learn to capture their nodding blooms, rich tones, and lasting “petals” in a workshop suitable for beginners to intermediate students, this is a rewarding creative challenge focused on the pleasure of the process.
Hellebores are shade-loving perennial plants, and they are prized for their elegant nodding blooms, leathery green foliage and their ability to brighten up our winter gardens. The petals are actually sepals, which is why the blooms last so long. The true petals are the tiny nectar producing structures inside the flower. Hellebores have for generations been very popular in Botanical Illustration and make a perfect winter workshop subject. Morning Tea, and a comlimentary frame provided to complete your finished artwork. The workshop will be held in the Geelong Botanic gardens large meeting room at the rear of the gardens. MEMBERS $165 NON-MEMBERS $195
Regisiter your interest 03 5229 0071 info@friendsgbg.org.au Book Here
Sunday 12 July: Themed Guided Walk 'Pacific Rim Garden' 2.00pm
Take a stroll through the newest area in the GBG, which was constructed during Covid 2020. Unique plants & trees are the key feature of this beautifully landscaped section. Many of these specimens from the region of the Pacific are endangered due to the threat of deforestation & climate change. A place for contemplation with seats to enjoy the gardens as well as rocks to invite children to play happily.
Tuesday 14 July: Movie Night 'The Rose Maker' and Bastille Day themed supper at Newcomb Library
Sunday 9 August: Themed Discovery Walk 'Native Australian Plants' 2.00 pm
WEEKLY PLANT SALES
The Friends’ Plant Nursery is open every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm show casing a wide selection of plants sourced from the Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Located at the rear of the GBG.
WEEKLY GUIDED WALKS
Every Wednesday at 11.00 am, and Sunday 2.00 pm (Maximum 10 people)
For more information, or to make a larger booking contact the Friends office 03 5229 0071 info@freindsgbg.org.au
