Gallery of Gardens opens to the public in Canberra

The National Arboretum Canberra’s newest feature, the Gallery of Gardens, has opened to the public.

To eventually feature a mosaic of seven unique gardens, the public can now access four new garden areas: The Open Gardens Australia Celebration Garden; The Labyrinth Garden; The AIDS Garden of Reflection and Mununja the Butterfly Garden.

Developed as a key area for functions, events and recreation in front of the Arboretum’s Events Terrace, the ACT Government provided almost $1 million to the project, almost half its cost with community donations meeting the balance.

Gallery of Gardens highlights include, Mununja the Butterfly Garden - depictings a dreamtime story of the Ngunnawal people, funded by Arboretum Chair John Mackay and his wife Collette.

The AIDS Garden of Reflection was funded by a range of donations as well as fundraising by Richard (Rachel) Allen who completed about five years of Bunnings sausage sizzles to contribute to the tally.

The Open Gardens Australia Celebration Garden honours Open Garden Australia's 27-year history and was financed by the organisation's last public donation.

A Children's Garden funded by IT entrepreneur and arboretum board member Brand Hoff and his wife Peta will be opened mid-year. The other two spaces planned are for Gift of Life and a native plant association, with more fundraising to go.

Venues Canberra Director Liz Clarke said along with each individually-themed garden, there would be avenues of trees, seating and lighting.

Clarke stated “the Events Terrace is being transformed into an area for functions, events and recreation which we hope the community will embrace

For more information go to www.nationalarboretum.act.gov.au/living-collection/gallery-of-gardens

Image: AIDS Action Council Executive Director Philippa Moss and Richard (Rachel) Allen who fundraised to help the AIDS Garden of Reflection become a reality at the National Arboretum Canberra. 

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