Heide is one of Melbourne's most important cultural destination that offers a unique experience of art architecture and landscape. Situated in six hectares of historical gardens and parklands that extends to Yarra River frontage, Heide was established in 1935 as the home of John and Sunday Reed who played a central role in the development and promotion of modern art in Australia as they nurtured young artists of their generation such as Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and Joy Hester.

We will meet in the car park at 10 am and proceed to the heritage-listed weatherboard Victorian farmhouse for a tour through this intimate art space. We will be guided through the kitchen gardens and sculpture garden that extends down to the river and have the opportunity to view each of the five gallery spaces.

Delicious refreshments can be had at Café Vue at our own expense. Time permitting we will also wander down to the Heidelberg Artists’ Trail.

When:
Thursday 16 February 2012
10am

Where:
Car park at Heide Museum of Modern Art
7 Templestowe Rd Bulleen
Melways Map 32 E 5

Cost:
$20  Non-members $30
Includes tour of Heide and garden

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings form (MS Word - 61.5 kb)
Enquiries – (03) 9650 6398

Dr Sandy Webb studied zoology and identifies as a 'water person', spending as much time as possible around or under the sea.  So, it was with some reluctance that on retirement she followed her husband on his diplomatic posting to Delhi in 2005.

There they lived for three years in the middle of a country of a billion people, and in one of the most polluted cities in the world.  But it did not take her long to become intrigued by the trees of Delhi, to discover a wonderful guide book and a whole new passion.

This led to becoming buried under leaves, interesting exploring around Delhi and other parts of India, teaching a course to field guides in one of Central India's game parks, many leads to be followed up and eyes wide open to the beauty of our own trees.

When:
Tuesday 21 February 2012
10 for 10.30 am

Where:
Mueller Hall, National Herbarium

Cost:
$15, Non-members $25
includes morning tea served before the talk

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings form (MS Word - 61.5 kb)
Enquiries – (03) 9650 6398

Bonsai is a Japanese word meaning "a tree in a pot".

The art of bonsai growing originated in China not Japan, over a thousand years ago.  It was brought to Japan by Buddhist monks who viewed the trees as a symbol of harmony, peace and balance which represented all that was good.

Growing bonsai trees requires specialised pruning and potting. Many types of trees and shrubs such as small evergreen, deciduous, evergreen, flowering and fruiting can be grown as a bonsai tree.  Some are easier to grow than others. Azaleas, Japanese maples, many conifers and fruit trees can be successfully grown as a bonsai tree.

A knowledgeable person will guide us through growing, pruning and care of bonsai. There will be ample time for questions and advice on the best plants to grow.

Many beautiful bonsai will be on display.

When:
Friday 24 February 2012
10am

Where:
Domain House, Dallas Brooks Drive

Cost:
$10  Non-members $15
Refreshments will be served on arrival

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings form (MS Word - 61.5 kb)
Enquiries – (03) 9650 6398

Globetrotting gardener and garden tour operator

On a journey through beautiful gardens, we follow Merryle Johnson from the soft flower gardens of Nova Scotia through the contemporary designer gardens of France and Italy, to the vivid gardens of Morocco.

Merryle explores the ethno-botany of relationships between plants, people and culture, and how this creates some of the most stunning and creative gardens of our world.

Merryle is a globe-trotting gardener, and when she is not leading tours of Australian gardeners overseas, she can be found getting her hands dirty at her family nursery and garden in Gippsland.

Enjoy an evening illustrated with pictures from private gardens of the world, accompanied by an inspirational commentary. Merryle will also bring some of her unusual plants for sale before the talk begins.

When:
Tuesday 28 February 2012
6 for 6.30 pm

Where:
Mueller Hall, National Herbarium

Cost:
$15  Non members $25
includes wine and savouries served before the talk

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings form (MS Word - 61.5 kb)
Enquiries – (03) 9650 6398

After morning tea at Gate Lodge our shady stroll will take us along the Tan, past the entrance to Government House and the perennial border to the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden and Grotto.  Guides will relate the history of this area and the development and design of the memorial to pioneer women. The nearby grotto is a quiet, cool area and a joy to enter during hot weather.

Like the memorial, the Lych Gate (G gate) has its own history and very few such entrances survive today.  The Lych Gate entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens leads through to the cool Huntingfield Lawn where magnificent eucalypts and corymbia grow on the gentle sloping lawns.

We will return to Gate Lodge taking in the view from the rear of Government House and the lawn which bears many trees planted by royalty, the Hopetoun Lawn.  The stroll will continue past the perennial border within the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Director’s Tunnel, all in gentle shade.

Please wear sensible shoes and bring a hat or umbrella.

When:
Wednesday 29 February 2012
10 am

Where:
Gate Lodge

Cost:
$15 MEMBERS ONLY
includes refreshments served before the walk

Bookings/enquiries:
Bookings form (MS Word - 61.5 kb)
Enquiries – (03) 9650 6398