Gardens’ newest friend

VICTORIAN Governor Alex Chernov paid a visit to Cranbourne last weekend when he officially opened the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens’ new facilities.
He also unveiled a plaque before he took off on a tour, via train, around the gardens.
The new facilities include the Elliott Centre, named after long-standing supporters of the gardens Roger and Gwen Elliott, as well as an administration and operations hub for the Friend’s special interest groups, and a Growing Friends Nursery.
The new centre includes an office, library, meeting room, and a kitchen as well as a space for more Friends activity groups.
The Elliotts have been involved with the propagation and growing of plants for more than 40 years and have published 35 books between them.
The Growing Friends Nursery includes an undercover potting shed, a kitchenette, propagation tunnel, and a plant benching area.
Friends president Professor Tim Entwisle congratulated the group on the official opening of the new facilities.
“The Friends are an extraordinarily dedicated and knowledgeable group of people who are highly respected by staff and visitors alike,” he said.
“They make an invaluable contribution to the life of the gardens and it’s my honour to be present today as we celebrate yet another milestone at the Cranbourne Gardens.”
The Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne was formed in 1991 and aims to support the work of the gardens through volunteering and fundraising.