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Our Botanic Gardens have come of age with a grant of $128,000 over five years.
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government.
We greatly appreciate this invaluable assistance.
Around the central lake and island, plants native to the Upper Darling Basin are displayed in communities as they occur in nature. Dominant species include Eucalypt, Acacia, Eremophila, Melaleuca, Callistemon, Dodonea and Casuarina. Many other species with smaller numbers are displayed, including endangered and restricted species such as Eucalyptus argophloia (Chinchilla white gum) and Cadellia pentastylus (ooline). There is rich biodiversity in a small area. To see the same plants in natural settings, hundreds or even thousands of kilometres of travel would be required.
Conceived in 1986 by Cec “Tiny” Cameron, a WWII fighter pilot and keen field naturalist, the first plantings occurred in the Autumn of 1988. From then onwards there has been major local and government support. Owned and run by the community for the community, the voluntary efforts of garden lovers and financial contributions of business, industry and governments have resulted in a wonderful asset that is visited and enjoyed by large numbers of people, locals and travellers alike. Many celebrations such as weddings and christenings are held at the Gardens.
A major boost in recent times has been a grant of $128,000 over five years from the Australian Government.
The objective of the Biodiversity Fund program is to maintain ecosystem function and increase ecosystem resilience to climate change, and increase and improve the management of biodiverse carbon stores across the country. This objective is being achieved through grants to land managers for on-ground works such as revegetation, protection of existing biodiversity, and prevention of the spread of invasive species.
This grant has enabled the establishment of a well-equipped propagation facility, thousands of new plantings, and the ongoing control of invasive species such as lippia, harissia cactus and cumbungi.
The Gardens have interconnected environmental, scientific, educational and recreational functions. They:
- provide a source of genetic material for future generations
- support propagation activities by members to provide tube stock for the Gardens themselves, street plantings and onground works by landholders such as shadelines and riparian zones
- enable studies and experiments to be conducted
- give students and interested people the opportunity to observe species and communities at different stages of their reproductive and life cycles
- offer peaceful, natural surroundings for social occasions
A group of volunteers meets monthly to propagate plants from seeds and cuttings for use:
- as new plantings in the Gardens
- for street and park plantings
- for landholder revegetation projects such as shade lines and riparian vegetation enhancement
