What's On

 

FGBG EVENT CALENDAR: 'YEAR AT A GLANCE' 

 

July

Tuesday 9 July: Supper and Movie at the Hub "Saving Grace, 6.00 pm - 8.30 pm
Enjoy supper and the movie "Saving Grace" with Brenda Blethen, a light hearted adventure set in Cornwell, with an interesting horticultural twist, Supper followed by the movie in the Hinchcliff Room at the Hub in East Geelong.
Members $35, Non-members $45 BOOK ONLINE

Sunday 14 July: Themed Discovery Walk 'The Fern Collection' 2.00 pm at the Front Gates
Come and see our wonderful collection of ferns and find out more about these special plants and the conditions needed to grow them successfully. Hear how fern fashions have changed in our Botanical Garden.  Gold coin donation is appreciated. 

Monday 15 July: Guest Speaker John Cary 'The enigma of Foster Fyans', 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Join the Friends for supper followed by our Guest Speaker, author John Cary, John will be speaking on ‘Foster Fyans’, a notable figure in Geelong’s early history, including being the first Chief Magistrate and on the first Committee of Management of Geelong Botanic Gardens.  in the GBG Large Meeting room. Book online
Members $20, Non-memebers $30

 

Saturday 27 July: Winter Plant Sale, 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
Looking for something different and priced well below major retail outlets?  Come and be tempted by our Salvias, Pelargoniums, Australian Plants, Perennials, Grasses and Succulents, sourced from our beautiful Botanic Gardens. Plant Nursery located at the Rear of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, Entry from front gate Access can be arranged from Nursery for pickup of large purchases.

August

Sunday 11 August: Themed Guided Walk 'Sensory Walk', 2.00 pm at the Front Gates.
Stimulate all your senses on a guided adventure in Geelong Botanic Gardens.  Have fun exploring the aromas and flavours of plants and learn how they are used in food, drinks, cosmetics, and medicines. Listen to the sounds of the Gardens – identify the birds. Feel the textures, from velvety soft to harsh and abrasive. Enjoy the vistas. Meet your guide at the front steps. Gold coin donation appreciated.

Monday 26 August: Friends AGM, 5.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Come and meet the newly elected Committee of Management, enjoying supper after the AGM and special guest speaker Ali Wastie, CEO of City of Greater Geelong. AGM at 5.30, in the Large Meeting room at the GBG, Guest Speaker at 6.15 pm and Supper at 7.00 pm. 

 

September

Thursday 12 September: Melton Botanic Gardens Self-Drive Tour and Lunch, 10.00 am - 3.00 pm
Melton Botanic Gardens Friends will host our group on a guided tour of their gardens, followed by a provided lunch.  This garden is widely acclaimed for the vast collections of Australian and dry climate plants from around the world. Price includes morning tea, guided tour and lunch. Members $40, Non-members $50.

Sunday 15 September: Themed Guided Walk 'Camelia Walk', 2.00 pm at the Front Gates.
The Camellia Walk is full of vivid colour at this time of year. Take a stroll through the camellias and other stunning Chinese plants and learn about some of the plant explorers who travelled the world searching for new and exotic species. Gold coin donation appreciated.

October

Tuesday 1 October: Dandenong Ranges Coach Tour, 7.45 am - 6.15 pm 
Visit the Chelsea Garden, Cloud Forest conservation garden and Nationa Rhododendron Garden at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, Cloudehill and Kawarra Australian Native Gardens at Kalorama for afternoon tea.  BYO picnic lunch and drinks at Hamer Arboretum. Members $85, Non-members $95.

Sunday 13 October: Themed Guided Walk 'Native Plants', 2.00 pm at the Front Gates.
Our indigenous plants from the Geelong and Bellarine regions are well represented in the Gardens, from the Red Gum by the gate to the yam daisies on the hillside and the vanilla lilies at the far end. Come and explore some wonders of our local plants. Gold coin donation is appreciated.

Tuesday 29 October: Through the Garden Gates, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
A popular self-drive tour of up to four local private gardens, this year we visit gardens in Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Point Lonsdale, finishing the tour with afternoon tea at a Garden near Drysdale TBC. More details to come.
Members $40, Non-members $50

November

Saturday 9 Novermber: Indigenous String Weaving, 9.30am - 12.00pm.
Indigenous string waving to make jewellery, with instructor Jasmin Sky Marinos. Large meeting room at at the GBG. Members $55, Non-members $65

Sunday 10 November: Themed Guided Walk 'Wadawurrung', 2.00 pm at the Front Gates.
Geelong’s First People, the Wadawurrung, used plants in many ways: for food, medicine, fibre, tools and ceremony. Many of these plants are in Geelong Botanic Gardens. Come for a stroll around the Gardens to learn more.  Gold coin donation is appreciated.

Friday 29 Novermber: Friends' Christmas Picnic, 5.30 pm - 8.30 pm
Wine tasting, with Gail Thomas followed by a Members BYO picnic tea and a Christmas Raffle.
RSVP to the office: 03 5229 0071

 

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
  • 2024 - the Bellarine

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).