What's On

 
 
 
June
 
 
Thursday Online Fortnightly: Winter Lecture Series, 12.00pm
Starts on Thursday 1 June, this years series covers a variety of topics, Members, and non member $15 for all four lectures. Booking detail to come. Book for Lectures.
  • Norman Houghton 'Otway Hotels and Shanties'
  • Liz Benetto 'The Wadawurrung Connections'
  • Stephen Ryan and Craig Lidgerwood 'Gardens of North West France'

Thursday 8: Self-drive to 'Suealoe' at Lovely Banks, Lunch at Fyansford Hotel and the Fyansford Paper Mill. (Date changed from 5 May)
Self-drive to 'Suealoe' at Lovely Banks for a tour and morning tea at this large succulent garden which opened for Open Gardens Victoria in 2022. Purchase your own lunch afterwards at Fyansford Hotel and enjoy the company of good friends. Afterwards, explore the Fyansford Paper Mill complex and enjoy at the Door Cafe before heading home. $30 Members, $40 Non-member. Book Event
 
Sunday 11: Themed Discovery Walk 'Ferns' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates.
Come and learn about ferns and how fashions in the GBG have changed from John Raddenberry, the 2nd Curator’s renowned Fernery begun in 1885, to our modern natural Fern Glade established in 1982.  It has recently been refurbished with most species of ferns, the Conservatory allowing for the inclusion of tropical ferns. Gold coin donation is appreciated. 

 
Thursday 22:  Winter Lunch @Truffleduck -guest speaker John Arnott, 12.00
Join the Friends and guest speaker John Arnott for lunch at our premier fundraising event in a beautiful setting in Fyansford, overlooking the delightful garden. John Arnott, manager of horticulture at Royal Botanic Garden Cranbourne, will be speaking on ‘Conservation in Botanic Gardens’.  An impressive raffle is always a feature of this event. Book online here or at the Friends’ office by Wednesday 14 June. Book Event   
 
July
 
Sunday 9: Themed Discovery Walk 'Wadawurrung' 2.00 pm
 
August
 
Sunday 13: Themed Discovery Walk 'Chinese Plants' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
China had the first Botanical Garden in 138 BC, an enormous park with 2,000 different plants and hot houses.2nd emperor Yang Di in Sui dynasty (581-618AD) built the largest gardens in history and searched far and wide for rare and beautiful plants. 2,000 years of Chinese horticultural endeavour enrich gardens all over the world.  Join me on a walk on 14th June at 2.00 to see how many of our plants have Chinese origins!. Gold coin donation is appreciated. 
 
 
September
 
Sunday 10: Themed Discovery Walk 'Sensory Walk' 2.00 pm
 
October
 
Sunday 8: Themed Discovery Walk 'Flora of the Pacific Rim' 2.00 pm
 
November
 
Sunday 12: Themed Discovery Walk 'Green Spine' 2.00 pm
 
Thursday 16: Trip to 'Beleura' on the Mornington Peninsular
 
December
 
Friday 1: Members' Christmas Picnic and Quiz, 5.30 pm
 

WEEKLY PLANT SALES

The Friends’ Plant Nursery is open every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm showcasing 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 at 2.00 pm. 

For more information, or to make a booking, contact the Friends’ office on 5222 6053 between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm Monday to Friday.

 

 

 


Members recently enjoyed a Cooking Demonstration with Gwen Anderson and absolutely enjoyed the luncheon which followed.  (Photos: Annie McGeachy)
 

Through the Garden Gates
The Friends have held these very popular self-drive garden tours, visiting private gardens in the areas:
  • 2012 - the Bellarine
  • 2013 - the Surf Coast
  • 2014 - Geelong
  • 2015 - the Bellarine
  • 2016 - Golden Plains
  • 2017 - the Bellarine
  • 2018 - the Bellarine
  • 2019 - the Surf Coast
  • 2021 - the Jan Juc area
  • 2022 - the Bellarine
  • 2023 - Inner Geelong area

In 2022, the tour revisited the Bellarine region and visited four stunning gardens in the Ocean Grove, Curlewis and St Leonards areas – offering an incredible variety of design and location.

Afternoon Tea was included in the ticket price - and this was again a delicious event, held at St. Leonards.  At St. Leonards, there was a Plant Stall (plants from gardens of Growers and Friends).