WHAT’S ON

Here is just a taste of what is on offer across our three Gardens. For more information about events, and to book, visit botanicgardens.org.au/What-s-On or just point your mobile device's camera at the QR code on this page, then tap the notification to open the link. Alternatively, phone us on (02) 9231 8182. All activities have been planned with your safety in mind, including social distancing and hygiene measures.

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre, Wed 12 July, 2pm–4:30pm

Join us to celebrate 200 years of camellias in Australia. In 1823, Charles Frazer, the first superintendent of Sydney’s Botanic Garden, supervised the first planting of a recorded collection of camellias in the state. Soon camellias would captivate colonial pioneers and begin an important chapter in Australian horticulture. Dr Stephen Utick, visiting Curator Theaceae, will host an afternoon symposium looking at camellias and their incredible contribution to our gardens and culture, from colonial days to the present. Suitable for history buffs and plant enthusiasts. From $30

with Beverly Allen

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre Tue 29 August–Fri 1 September

9.30am–4pm

CAMELLIA WALK

Royal Botanic Garden

Foundation & Friends’ Terrace

Wed 12 July, 12noon–1.30pm

Join our knowledgeable guides for a tour of the historical camellia living collection, celebrating 200 years of the genus in our Gardens.

From $20

JAPENESE TEA CEREMONY

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre

Wed 12 July, 10am–11am Tea, or Camellia sinensis, conquered the 18th century world. We celebrate tea with an extra special cuppa, performed in the Japanese “chado” or “way of the tea.” Not to be missed!

From $35

This class will build your skills through the demonstration of techniques, from initial washes to dry-brush detail and finishing. The emphasis will be on close observation, accurate drawing, subtleties of colour and use of light to create a three-dimensional painting. For intermediate to advanced students, or those with drawing skills and experience in other media. Refreshments and lunches are included.

From $530

Branching Out

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre

Sun 25 June, 9.30am–1.30pm

Spend the morning in the beautiful Botanic Garden, learning how to wrangle vines, twigs and leaves into a woven basket. In this workshop you will learn a number of random weaving techniques, as well as how to harvest and prepare a range of natural materials for basket making.

From $190

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre, Thu 24–Fri 25 August, 9.30am–4pm

Explore the exciting possibilities of collage. A great entry into making abstract art, this workshop stimulates ideas, themes and visual stories, while using plants as inspiration. Students will learn leaf printing and experiment with paper, string, bark, paint, crayon and ink. The result? Unique greeting cards and artworks. Some materials supplied. Refreshments and lunch provided. From $300

with

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre

Sat 26 August, 9.30am–12.30pm

Join Horticultural Adviser Greg Lamont and our highly experienced volunteers for a morning of top gardening advice and hands-on propagating. You’ll learn the fundamentals of potting mixes and plant care as well as lots of tips on propagating plants at home. Included is a walk around the Garden to discuss cutting selection. Morning tea is provided.

From $70

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre, Thu 14–Fri 15 September, 9.30am–4pm

Botanical art is a unique and specialised form of art which portrays an object with precision and detail to bring out its natural beauty. In this workshop, participants will learn the techniques of sketching an object proportionately in pencil, and then use watercolours with light and tone to create depth. Ideal for beginners and students who have some experience in watercolour. Refreshments and lunch provided. From $280

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY with Glenn Smith

Australian Botanic Garden

Australian PlantBank

From $120

• Bird Photography

Sun 25 June, 8.15am–1pm

• Post-processing Workshop

Sun 30 July, 8.15am–1pm

• Beginners Workshop

Sun 27 Aug, 8.15am–1pm

BOTANICA DE MATERIA MEDICA OPENING

Royal Botanic Garden, Lion Gate Lodge, Fri 28 July, 4pm–6pm

Join us for the opening night of Botanica de Materia Medica. You'll get the opportunity to mingle with the artists and curators, enjoy Taylors wines along with delicious canapés, and shop for exquisite pieces before the general public in the beautiful surrounds of Lion Gate Lodge. From $55

BOTANICAL ECO-PRINTING

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Visitor Centre

Sat 12 August, 9.30am–2pm

Learn the process of eco-printing and create your own botanical eco-scarf using natural materials sourced from the Garden.

Materials and morning tea are provided (BYO lunch).

From $110

BOTANICA DE MATERIA MEDICA EXHIBITION

Royal Botanic Garden, Lion Gate Lodge, Sat 29 July–Sun 13 August, 10am–4pm

The Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens has, for more than twenty years, held an annual botanical art exhibition. Traditional botanic art is European, most often watercolour and must be scientifically accurate. This year we are looking at Botanica de Materia Medica – plants that heal – and welcoming more artistic interpretations of this theme in any medium. The exhibition raises funds to support the scientific works and infrastructure of the Gardens and will feature Australia’s finest botanic artists in addition to new and emerging artists. Free

FOOD WITH FRIENDS CAF É

Royal Botanic Garden, Lion Gate Lodge

Sat 29 & Sun 30 July, Sat 5 & Sun 6 August and Sat 12 & Sun 13 August, 11am–2pm

Visit the exhibition pop-up café, where you can indulge in fresh coffee, sandwiches and homemade treats right in the heart of our exhibition precinct. Take this opportunity to sit and enjoy a treat among the artworks, served by our incredible catering volunteers. All proceeds from the café will benefit our continued support of the Botanic Gardens.

BOTANICA EXHIBITION TOUR with the Curators

Royal Botanic Garden, Lion Gate Lodge

Wed 2 August, 10.30–11.30am

Sit in the garden at Lion Gate Lodge and take in the atmosphere with a delightful morning or afternoon tea followed by a tour of the Botanica de Materia Medica exhibition by one of the exhibition curators. Enjoy this exclusive small-group experience where you will be able to chat to the curator as they take you through the exhibition.

From $35

MEDICINAL PLANTS

FROM YOUR GARDEN with Anna Voytsekhovich

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre

Wed 9 August–Fri 11 August

9.30am–4pm

Learn botanical art from Anna Voytsekhovich, a professional scientist, scientific illustrator, botanical artist and wildlife illustrator. The emphasis will be on painting plants with medicinal qualities from our everyday gardens. Lunches and refreshments provided.

From $400

PLANTS TO MEDICINE

Royal Botanic Garden

Foundation & Friends’ Terrace

Sat 5 August, 10.30am–12.30pm

Over 25,000 plant species have been listed as having medicinal properties. Our volunteer guides have selected a range of plants that tell the story of plant use in both traditional healthcare and modern medicine.

From $40

BRUSHES WITH HISTORY: AWI CENTENARY EXHIBITION 1923–2023

Royal Botanic Garden

Lion Gate Lodge

Opening night: Thu 31 August, 6pm–8pm. Exhibition: Fri 1–Thu 7 September, 10am–4pm

Throughout its history, a number of Australia’s most celebrated artists have been members of, or exhibited with, the Australian Watercolour Institute (AWI). The AWI works to ensure the future of watercolour painting as a vital medium. Free

50 YEARS ON – MAN ON WIRE

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre

Tue 23 May, 10am–11am

Fifty years on, the man who walked on high wire between the Northern Pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge returns to commemorate this extraordinary achievement. Join us for an exclusive get-together with Philippe Petit to hear about his daring feats, including the planning and execution of his Harbour Bridge caper. Suitable for 13+. From $15

PLANT

Royal Botanic Garden, Maiden Theatre, Thu 29 June, 10am–11am

Join author Dr Prudence Gibson as she unpacks her new book, The Plant Thieves. Prue will not only reveal some of the incredible stories behind the Herbarium and this book, but we will also get a chance to listen to some poems inspired by the collection. It’s a deep dive that explores the cultural value of the collection with a different kind of lens. From $40

SUNSET SPOTLIGHT

Royal Botanic Garden, Woolloomooloo Gate

5 & 12 July, 6.30pm–8pm

Night-time is the best time to explore the Garden! We'll visit biodiversity 'hotspots' to look for nocturnal animals – some who fly in for the night and others who are long-term residents. We’ll rely on our senses and some tech-gadgets and other field work techniques used by our scientists. Suitable for 8+ (children must be accompanied by a paying adult)

From $36

Royal Botanic Garden, The Calyx

Tue 25 July & Tue 29 August

6.30pm–9pm

Join us for a night of astronomy and stargazing in the heart of the Royal Botanic Garden. Over a glass of wine, discover what the night sky teaches you with First Nations astronomer Drew Roberts, then travel through space to visit mysterious planets far from Earth with renowned astronomer Dr Angel Lopez -Sanchez or Fred Watson.

Suitable for adults and kids 12+

From $37

ABORIGINAL HARBOUR

HERITAGE TOUR with First Nations Guides

Royal Botanic Garden, Visitor Centre

Every Thu, Fri & Sat (excl. public holidays), 11am–12noon

Our First Nations guides will immerse you in the rich Aboriginal culture of the traditional custodians of the Sydney city area, the Gadigal. Stroll along the Sydney Harbour foreshore and listen to stories of Gadigal lifestyle, traditions, history and connection to country and community.

From $27

ABORIGINAL BUSH TUCKER with First Nations Guides

Royal Botanic Garden, Visitor Centre

Every Thu, Fri, Sat (excl. public holidays), 1pm–2pm

Walk with a First Nations guide to learn more about Indigenous bush foods and how they were used traditionally and adapted to the modern plate and palate. You’ll also take in the Cadi Jam Ora garden to learn about some of the hottest bush foods on the market, all while tasting some goodies for yourself.

From $27

From $18

• Seedlings Nature School

25 July–12 September

Every Tues, 10am–12noon

• Wild Wollemi Garden

Thu 6 July, 10.30am–12noon or 1pm–2.30pm

From $16 per class

• Jurassic Jungle Explorer

Tue 4, Wed 5 & Thu 6 July 10am–11.30am & 12.30pm–2pm

• Garden Grubs

Fri 7, Mon 10, Tue 11 & Wed 12 July 9am–3.30pm (standard) or 8.30am–4.30pm (long day)

• First Nations Tea Time with your elders (NAIDOC)

Tue 4, Wed 5 & Thu 6 July 12.30pm–2pm

• Seedlings Nature School

27 July–14 September

Every Thu, 10am–12noon

Join our nature educators for activities and nature experiences

AUSTRALIAN BOTANIC GARDEN

From $16

• Lost in the bush

Thu 13 July & Fri 14 July 10am–11.30am

• First Nations Tea Time with your elders (NAIDOC)

Tue 11 & Wed 12 July 12.30pm–2.30pm

• Seedlings Nature School

26 July–13 September

Every Wed, 9.30am–11.30am

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd, Cottage 6, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000

Phone: (02) 9231 8182

Chief Executive Officer: Peter Thomas foundation.friends@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au botanicgardens.org.au/foundationandfriends

Office hours: Mon–Thu, 9am–3pm facebook.com/FoundationandFriends instagram.com/FoundationandFriends

EDITORIAL

Editor: David Carroll

Designer: Lauren Sutherland

Coordinator: Helen Goodall

Feature writers: Dr Brett Summerell (Botanical Science), John Siemon (Horticulture), Sue Wannan (Arts) and Miguel Garcia (History)

Scientific adviser: Dr Russell Barrett

Regular contributors: Raoul de Ferranti, Margaret Hanks, Jarryd Kelly, Paul Nicholson, Antony Rivers and Marion Whitehead

Discover the work that goes into maintaining the Gardens and learn from the horticulture staff, taking direction from the team. Please wear sturdy boots and bring a hat, gloves, sunscreen and water. Join online as a Foundation & Friends member in order to participate in this exclusive, enlightening, educational and fun activity. Free. Members Only

Blue Mountains Botanic Garden

Mount Tomah, Education Centre

Wed 7 June, Wed 5 July

Wed 2 August, 8.30am–12noon

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, meet at the main car park

Wed 14 June, Wed 12 July

Wed 9 August, 8.30am–12noon

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Foundation & Friends’ Terrace

Thu 15 June, Thu 20 July

Thu 17 August, 8.30am–12noon

Printer: Bright Print Group

Print Post approved: PP 100004091

ISSN 1324 - 8219

Printed in Australia on paper made from FSC-certified and other controlled materials.

FSC® helps take care of the forests, and the people and wildlife that call them home.

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens supports the important work and programs across your Botanic Gardens –the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. Our mission is to grow a strong, supportive community to advocate and raise funds for our Botanic Gardens and their vital horticultural, scientific, education and conservation work.

Join our vibrant community of members today by phoning (02) 9231 8182 or visiting botanicgardens.org.au/membership

Membership fees:

Standard $70, Concession/student $60, Household $95, Household concession $80