Press Releases

28 April 2006

Last of the 100,000 plants in place for Australian Garden opening 

Horticulturists Warren Worboys and Josie Vaganiance are coming up for air after playing a crucial part in creating Victoria’s newest botanic garden – the Australian Garden. 

Warren, who lives in Five Ways and Josie, who lives in Narre Warren have been working solidly, along with their team of ten horticulturalists, for the past few years to get the 100,000 plants into the ground ready for this month’s opening on Sunday 28 May. 

Josie began working at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne in 1997. 

Her first focus was to develop the Gardens’ nursery as well as sourcing and collecting plant material from around Australia for the Australian Garden. Her travels have taken her into some of the continent’s most isolated corners to collect plants that have never been on public viewing before. 

“It has been an extraordinary few years, working on a brand new garden bring it from conceptual stage to the opening day,” she says. 

Warren Worboys has worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne since 1988, overseeing the horticultural development of the early garden plans.

“Sunday 28 May is going to be quite a day for those of us who have seen this dream turned into a reality,” he says. 

His job has also seen him collecting plant material from across Australia, experimenting with growing these plants in the Cranbourne conditions, advising the public and staff on a host of cultivated plant and conservation issues, revegetation design and reviewing the Australian Garden itself. 

Warren and Josie are among a team of ten horticulturists who, together with volunteers, have helped to plant the 100,000 plants.

“Building a public garden of such scale and significance is a rare opportunity,” said Josie. 

“There are more plants in the Australian Garden than there are in the whole of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: that’s the scale of this fantastic treasure garden,” said Warren. 

The first 11 hectares of the Australian Garden are being opened this month with features including a timber clad Visitor Centre, Rockpool Waterway, Escarpment Wall, Red Sand Garden and over 100,000 plants that have been sourced throughout Australia. 

Designed by leading landscape architects Taylor Cullity Lethlean, with renowned plant designer Paul Thompson, the Australian Garden has already won a number of awards for its design.   

Funding for the Australian Garden has been provided through the State Government, philanthropic organisations and corporate donations. 

The Australian Garden will celebrate its awakening with a free public open day on Sunday 28 May. There will be guided tours, children’s activities and entertainment for all the family from10.30am for an 11am start to 4pm. The opening day of the Australian Garden is supported by the City of Casey. 

Once opened, the entry price for adults will be $9. Children will be free.  Normal opening hours will be 9am to 5pm.

Public inquiries: (03) 5990 2200. 

Media inquiries: Penny Underwood and John Myers (03) 9818 8540.