Royal Botanic Gardens chief thanked for 20 years of achievement

Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has this week thanked the Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Dr Philip Moors, for his outstanding work over the past 20 years.

Dr Moors has announced that he will retire from the Gardens in November, as the second-longest serving of all directors in the Gardens' 166 year history.

Minister Smith said Dr Moors had made a major contribution to Melbourne, the future of the Gardens, to science and to urban ecology through his 20 years of service, stating "Dr Moors has initiated and delivered many major new programs and capital developments, cultural activities, biodiversity and urban ecology research and education during his time with the Gardens.

"There have been many highlights during Dr Moors' tenure including the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden which was the first of its kind in Australia when opened in 2004 and has become a firm favourite among families visiting and living in Melbourne.

"The award-winning Australian Garden is a spectacular and unique celebration of native Australian plantlife. Dr Moors led the development of the first stage which was opened in 2006 and we are all looking forward to the opening of the second stage, due for completion later this year.

"Melbourne's 13-year drought presented many challenges during Dr Moors' time with the Gardens and one of the legacies of that is the restored and redesigned Guilfoyle's Volcano, part of the Gardens' Water Management Strategy and a highly innovative approach to water management and design.

"The Working Wetlands project, which uses stormwater to provide a significant proportion of the Gardens' irrigation, is due for completion in spring, and has been developed under Dr Moors' leadership.

"Just last year, the Australian Garden received a gold medal at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show in London. The display was an acclaimed showcase of the diverse colours, shapes and foliage of Australia's remarkable plant life."

Minister Smith said this was something Dr Moors had worked towards for quite some time and it was a fitting recognition of the many achievements in his career, concluding "Dr Moors has been a visionary leader who has been highly successful in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding, ensuring the Royal Botanic Gardens is highly regarded in the international scientific community.

"Dr Moors has been passionate in his engagement with the community and in helping to connect people with their natural world, and I thank him wholeheartedly for his remarkable service."

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