Projects

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The Gatekeepers Cottage

RECENT UPDATE:  The Gatekeeper's Cottage is now the ‘home’ of Botanikids and will be developed into an interpretive centre for visitors to learn more about the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and its unique plants, collections and cultural heritage.  Read more about The Gatekeeper's Cottage here.  

Gatekeeper's Cottage restored as education, history hub

The Gatekeeper's Cottage moved back to Ballarat Botanical Gardens

The Fernery

Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery Redevelopment 

Official Project Launch for Fernery Redevelopment

Ballarat's Fernery set for Redevelopment, The Courier

The McDonald Gateway

Need for restoration had been evident for some time. Upon request to the Gardens management for a list of potential projects, Restoration of the gateway was selected for urgent and immediate attention, and there being no allocation in the Gardens maintenance budget.

History

The Architecture is a significant Art Deco feature of the Gardens.

Selection of restorer was important due to the critical retention of the aged patina of the plaster work Timber work re constructed and stabilised to like new. Evidenced now in the wonderful entry promenade. Fully funded by FBBG works were administered by CoB and staff.

The Gateway was re-dedicated in July 2011. With great media coverage with positive outcomes in the form of community exposure and tourists alike.

 

George Longley Building

So named to commemorate the man who devoted forty years of his life to the creation and development of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens from 1858 as 'The Gardener' and later as Curator to the end of his days in 1899.

The pre-fabricated building was purpose-built to accommodate the needs of the various groups within the Friends of the gardens membership. Project coordinator, Elizabeth Gilfillan, supervised the work over many months and was able to deliver a facility which the Friends are very pleased to call home.

 

The Western Bed

The Western Bed was a major project which saw the reconstruction of the garden border between the red scoria path and the Gillies Street boundary. It was a long running project financed by the Friends with the work done in collaboration with the Gardens staff. An exciting aspect was the introduction of many new plant species. One very attractive section features drought-resistant plants with grey and silver foliage. It has been most pleasing to see massed growth despite the shortage of water. Other sections feature different colours and particular families of plants such as waratahs and eucalypts in the Australian garden. All plants have been clearly labelled and poles colourfully decorated with koori artwork create interest for visitors.