In 1846, La Trobe appointed the Scottish horticulturalist John Arthur to establish Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens. Arthur and his family had arrived in the Port Phillip District in 1839 on the David Clark, and soon afterwards established a plant nursery at his leased farm on the Yarra River at Heidelberg, and a shop in Little Bourke Street. As the first director of the Gardens, he planted the lagoon walk and successfully incorporated existing indigenous plants.
Presenter: Irene Kearsey
Irene is deeply interested in many aspects of Victoria’s history and has worked extensively as a volunteer with Public Records Office Victoria (PROV) archives.
As a member of the La Trobe Society, she participated in the PROV project of indexing the Inward Correspondence to La Trobe, 1839-1851.
She has also carried out research for the National Trust on topics relating to public art to be registered.
Contact Irene for information and booking.