Page 17 - Luce 2021

P oint of View

from the subtropics, as it happens), this vast living collection seventy-six years, will amplify that stimulus. Providing we get
of plants includes representatives from almost every country it right, it will not only inspire careers in botany, astronomy
in the world – and we know this because we have checked: and meteorology but shape the lives of those who turn to
it includes 97% of United Nations-listed countries. music, law or politics. Like the rest of the Gardens, the Nature
and Science Precinct will be life-changing: transforming the
Alongside these deliberate plantings, a few river red gums still innate respect we all have for nature into conservation actions
stand, marking the deep and unresolved history of this place that will help us take better care of our precious planet.
for tens of thousands of years before Europeans’ creation of
the first plant label or ornamental border. These remaining In 2021, as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic and the
gums stand testament to the land, water and cultural practices previous year’s devastating bushfire season, the therapeutic
of the Aboriginal peoples of the Kulin Nation. A significant role of a botanic garden becomes more necessary, and more
meeting and gathering place, the Gardens are very much an urgent. Both of our gardens – at Melbourne and Cranbourne
amalgam of styles, but always set within the context of the – are important places for healing and recovery. Our social
Yarra River (Birrarung) and its natural and cultural history. and scientific research on plants and nature for health – soon
to be interpreted through the Nature and Science Precinct –
Walk through Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne today, and will be needed to make sound decisions in a post-pandemic,
you pass rest houses and garden beds dating back to the late post-bushfire, peak-climate-change world. Our seed banks,
nineteenth century and bushland beds around Long Island plant collections and plant knowledge are in high demand as
reflecting the original vegetation of the area, as well as more Victoria emerges from the unprecedented bushfires of early
recent additions such as Guilfoyle’s Volcano, Fern Gully 2020. So too our beautiful places and trusted wisdom.
Boardwalk, and the brand-new Arid Garden and Sensory
Garden. These landscapes are home to eels, long-necked The reach of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria has always been
turtles, swans and a water dragon, powerful owls, possums, beyond our two sites. Von Mueller’s scientific scholarship
flying foxes and waterfowl; hundreds of bird and insect and Guilfoyle’s stunning landscape design influenced botany
species; and more than 8000 different kinds of plants. and botanic gardens worldwide. Today, our scientists,
horticulturalists, educators, programmers, producers, designers
Even with two million visitors each year exploring and and event organisers are among the best in the world. We
enjoying these stunning landscapes, some of what we are world leaders in adapting urban landscapes to climate
do remains hidden. We are about to change that. Our change, in sustainable water use, and in the documentation
planned Nature and Science Precinct includes a and understanding of the Australian flora.
new National Herbarium of Victoria and plans to Through national and international
unlock the State Botanical Collection – over 1.5 partnerships our contributions are
million preserved plant specimens documenting magnified further, influencing the growth of
the botanical discovery of not only Victoria but the all botanic gardens, and strengthening their
whole world – for scientists and visitors alike. It engagement and impact.
will be the centrepiece of a new eco-destination
for Melbourne, a place for locals and tourists to The above is an edited extract from
make that vital connection with nature, a gateway Professor Tim Entwisle’s introduction to
to a lifelong journey of learning about plants and Wonder - 175 Years of the Royal Botanic
natural science. The new precinct, including the Gardens by Sophie Cunningham and
return of the Great Melbourne Telescope to its Peter Wilmoth
original home in Melbourne Observatory, after

J anet Clarke Hall 17