Hayley, from Peninsula Special College, was part of the school’s performance at the opening of stage two of the Australian Garden in Cranbourne.
By BRIDGET COOK
CELEBRATIONS were in full bloom at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne on the weekend as the second and final stage of the Australian Garden was officially opened.
Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith opened the expansion on Friday, which was followed by a weekend of festivities.
The launch of stage two was the culmination of more than 20 years’ planning, construction and planting.
The garden celebrates the diversity of Australian plants, and aims to inspire visitors to use native plants in their home gardens.
The first stage of the Australian Garden opened in 2006. The second stage includes 11 new precincts, 70,000 plants, 850 plant species, a visitor kiosk and café and a dedicated space for community events.
Royal Botanic Gardens chief executive and director doctor Philip Moors said it was a garden for the community.
“The Australian Garden is all about being immersed in the landscapes of Australia and being amazed by the colour and diversity of the plants,” he said.
“There was an early recognition, right from the beginning, that there are thousands of home gardens being created every year, especially in the City of Casey.
“We have always seen the Australian Garden as a fantastic opportunity to inspire visitors with ideas about how they could develop their own gardens as well as giving interstate and international visitors a uniquely Australian experience.”
To celebrate the opening, Gardeners Day was held on Saturday, catering for all home gardeners from novices to dedicated green thumbs.
Sunday was Family Day with a range of activities for the whole family.
