Of Friends and Gardens: A History of the Cranbourne Friends commemorates the 30th Anniversary of a determined group of nature lovers who helped transform a spent sand mine into the award-winning Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
The Friends wanted to celebrate and preserve Australia’s native flora, and were right behind the plan to create a landscaped garden featuring incredible and beautiful Australian plants.
Written by Friend and author Carolyn Landon, the book provides a comprehensive history of the Friends as they grew together with Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
Ms Landon has been a friend of the Gardens since 2015 when she wrote Banksia Lady, a biography on acclaimed botanical illustrator Celia Rosser.
On the back of that success, she was asked to produce the manuscript for Of Friends and Gardens
She said this book is her contribution to the friends.
“I finished manuscript before the lockdowns but it’s been a couple of years in the making, the book,” Ms Landon.
“I had to learn about the gardens, meet everyone, talk to lots of people and find out what they’re about.”
She said she was blown-away by the final product, which was launched on Sunday 15 May.
“I’m amazed by it. I’m happy with what I wrote but how they turned it into extraordinary beautiful hardback, I’m very very proud.”
The beautifully illustrated coffee table book features fascinating stories about the site’s history, those who fought to preserve it and the battles they encountered along the way, including preventing a freeway being built through the Gardens.
Since 1992, the Cranbourne Friends have passionately supported the Gardens sharing expertise with the public, supporting staff, and providing financial support for projects.
“The Friends were integral to the establishment and development of the Gardens,” says Chris Russell, Executive Director, Cranbourne Gardens.
“These stories illustrate their passion, generosity, and sheer determination and we are incredibly grateful for their contribution over three decades.”
The book explains the Gardens’ fascinating history, with influential philanthropists such as Maud Gibson and Dame Elizabeth Murdoch who saw the potential for the development of a botanic garden at the rubbish strewn sand quarry and disused army site.
The book also features stories from staff who still work at the Gardens today, development of plant nurseries and Growing Friends, overseas trips and various other obstacles and triumphs.
Today, the group has over 600 members.
Of Friends and Gardens: A History of the Cranbourne Friends of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Hardie Grant Books, 2021) is available at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria shops and Booktopia.
For more information, please visit rbg.vic.gov.au and hardiegrant.com/au/books.
