 Horsham Botanic Gardens  
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In April, 1883, the Horsham Council took over the Botanical Gardens from a
management committee and assumed their debt of £113.13.10, and the services of the Curator, Mr J. Venus. The gardens had been designed in the 1870's by the curator of the Melbourne Royal Botanical gardens, William Guilfoyle in traditional English style, but with added Australian characteristics. A large Bunya Bunya pine, just inside the front entrance, grew from seeds given by botanist Baron Sir Ferdinand von Mueller. Originally a reserve of 37 acres, only 8 remained in 1982. The original Curator, Venus, died in 1883 and a succession of curators: Parks, McFarlane, Veasey, Brown, Lord, Elbourne and Kemp, all contributed their influence in developing the gardens into one of the most attractive in Victoria. Clubs and individuals have donated trees and shrubs over the years and several thousand thrive in this peaceful haven only a few hundred metres from the busy commercial centre of Horsham. Located beside the Wimmera River, the gardens are open to the public daily. |