AGHS National Oral History Project
The Australian Garden History Society has built a significant national oral history collection of 80 recordings, with more in the pipeline. Interviews have been recorded in every state and the ACT (not yet in the Northern Territory). A large proportion...
Chris Betteridge
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Chris Betteridge interviewed on 20 March 2007 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Chris was the original landscape and environmental specialist in the Heritage and Conservation Branch of the NSW Department of Planning from 1978 and over...
Max Bourke AM
Interview Recording Part one: Part two: Interview Transcript Max Bourke interview on 20 November 2019 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Interview summary – Max Bourke 19 November 2019 A selection of Max Bourke’s writings: The Analysis of...
Simon Brandon
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Simon Brandon interviewed on 27 February 2020 by Sue Whitehouse This is an oral interview with Simon Brandon, former Head Gardener at Hopewood House, Bowral. Simon is speaking with Sue Whitehouse, for the Australian Garden...
Cedric Bryant
Interview Recording Part 1 Part 2 Interview Transcript Cedric Bryant interviewed on 15 May 2019 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Cedric seizes opportunities at every turn: he recounts a story of enterprise and endeavour. He discusses his family’s background...
Lindsay Campbell
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Lindsay Campbell interviewed on 22 June 2022 by Jean Elder Synopsis Bushwalking has been a lifelong pursuit for landscape designer, teacher and horticulturist Lindsay Campbell. His initial interest in native plants originated through regular...
Ian Carroll
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Ian Carroll interviewed on 2 December 2020 by Lyn Barrett This is an interview with Ian Carroll, Head Gardener of Oldbury, Oldbury Road, Sutton Forest, N.S.W. and it is recorded on the 2nd of December...
Bob Cherry
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Bob Cherry interviewed on 11 Sep 2023 by Jean Elder Synopsis Childhood memories of the people and places associated with gardens are frequently mentioned in recalling life stories. Bob Cherry is no exception. From a...
Professor Richard Clough AM
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Professor Richard Clough AM interviewed on 9 December 2003 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Richard Clough was born in 1921 in Wagga Wagga where his family had been since the 1850s. He described early influences...
Tonia Cochran
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Tonia Cochran interviewed on 7 March 2024 by Jean Elder Synopsis Melbourne-born Dr. Tonia Cochran moved to Tasmania in the late 1980s while completing her Ph.D. in marine zoology. During that time she discovered...
Ann Cripps
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Ann Cripps interviewed on 25 August 2023 by Jean Elder Synopsis In 1981 the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Garden History (AGHS) was formed. Hobart born author and garden history consultant Ann Cripps has played...
Victor Crittenden OAM
Interview Recordings Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Interview Transcript Victor Crittenden OAM interviewed on 20 October 2010 by Roslyn Burge Narrative Transcript Victor Crittenden OAM interviewed on 20 October 2010 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Victor Crittenden OAM...
Sir Owen Croft
Interview Recording Part one: Part two: Part three: Part five: Length of interviews: 1 hour 9 minutes. Note: Part 4 is not included. Interview Transcript Sir Owen Croft interviewed on 23 & 24 April 2018 by John Maurer Synopsis...
Bob and Kerrie Crothers
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Bob and Kerrie Crothers interviewed on 8 December 2017 by Liz Chappell with Jenny Sloman Synopsis For over fifty years, Bob and Kerrie Crothers have promoted the joy of gardening and the importance of...
Kingsley Dixon
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Kingsley Dixon interviewed on 26 January 2022 by Patsy Vizents Kingsley Dixon FTSE (Ph.D.) is an Australian botanist and was the founding Director of Science at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, and helped to establish...
Trisha Dixon
Interviews with Trisha Dixon. The interviews took place on 30 June 2020 and 9 July 2020. The interviewer is Roslyn Burge. Interview Recording Part one: Part two: Interview Transcript Trisha Dixon interviewed on 30 June and 9 July...
Mary Dougan
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Mary Dougan interviewed on 6 and 21 September 2006 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Mary Dougan was a sprightly 104 when interviewed in September 2006 for the AGHS Oral History Collection. Well known in garden...
Dr Sophie Ducker AM
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Dr Sophie Ducker interviewed on 6 September – 21 October 2002 by Jane Holth Reference The following Journal contains an article on Dr Sophie Ducker: Australian Garden History, Vol. 30 No. 1 Jul 2018...
John Dwyer
Interview Recording Interview Transcript John Dwyer interviewed on 1 March 2024 by Tim Entwisle John Dwyer interview summary Synopsis John Dwyer tells us about his family, his background and his contributions to gardens and landscape heritage. Born and raised...
Tara Edmondson
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Tara Edmondson interviewed on 22 March 2022 by Jean Elder Synopsis Tara Edmondson spent her childhood exploring and observing the coastal environment and bushland around Triabunna, Tasmania. Living in a setting where family and...
Will Fletcher
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Will Fletcher interviewed on 28 March 2023 by Jean Elder Synopsis Will Fletcher arrived in Tasmania in 1976 at the age of 22 after spending several years studying Natural Resources at the University of...
Tom Garnett MA, OAM
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Thomas Garnett MA OAM interviewed on 7 November 2002 by Jane Holth Synopsis Coming soon… Reference Obituary Thomas Garnett MA, OAM, 2006 ...
Mark Geeves
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Mark Geeves interviewed on 3 May 2023 by Jean Elder Synopsis Mark Geeves was born into a long-established family of gardeners and orchardists in the picturesque Huon Valley, Southern Tasmania. His mother Kay Geeves...
Ken Gillanders OAM
An interview with Mr Ken Gillanders OAM on 10 November 2020 by Sally Dakis. Length of interview: 71 minutes. Interview Recording Interview Transcript Ken Gillanders interviewed on 10 November 2020 by Sally Dakis ...
Jan Gluskie
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Jan Gluskie interviewed on 4 December 2003 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis The first Sydney Branch Committee met in August 1993 and by the end of the year learnt it was to present the National...
Linda Green
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Linda Green interviewed on 1 October 2021 and 17 February 2023 by Patsy Vizents (with appendix) Synopsis Linda Green was a member of the West Australian branch of the Australian Garden History Society...
Robyn Mayo Hawkins
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Robyn Mayo Hawkins interviewed on 26 May 2021 by Jean Elder This is an interview with Robyn Mayo Hawkins recorded for the Australian Garden History’s National Oral History Collection. Robyn, a gardener and artist, is...
Tim Hughes and Sal Molesworth
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Tim Hughes and Sal Molesworth interviewed on 12 May 2024 by Liz Chappell and Lynne Walker Synopsis Tim Hughes and Sal Molesworth moved to Lilburn, originally an outstation for Rangers Valley Station, near Glen...
Dr Greg I Johnson
Interview Recording Part one – 19 Oct 2023 Part two – 19 Oct 2023 Part three – 1 Feb 2024 Part four – 1 Feb 2024 Interview Transcript Greg I Johnson interviewed on 19 October 2023 by Roslyn Burge...
Elaine Lawson OAM
Interview Recordings Interview 12 November 2019 Part 1 – 1 hour 22 minutes Interview 12 November 2019 Part 2 – 12 minutes Interview 3 July 2020 Part 1 – 1 hour 22 minutes Interview 3 July 2020 Part 2 –...
Catherine MacLean
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Catherine MacLean interviewed on 13 August 2017 by Marilyn Pidgeon This is an interview with Catherine MacLean, of Armidale, NSW. Catherine is speaking with Marilyn Pidgeon, OAM for the Australian Garden History Society (AGHS). ...
Bob Magnus
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Bob Magnus interviewed on 8 November 2021 by Jean Elder Synopsis Bob Magnus is typical of many of his post-war generation who rejected the opportunity to work in a family business, choosing instead to pursue...
Carol Mansfield
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Carol Mansfield interviewed on 29 July 2020 by Patsy Vizents Synopsis After a brief introduction to her early life and involvement with gardening as a child in the UK, Carol described how she met...
Neville McKinnell
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Neville McKinnell interview on 16 August 2024 by Jean Elder Synopsis The McKinnell family has proudly maintained a connection to one of Tasmania’s most remarkable country houses, Clarendon, for over 70 years. Located near...
Jocelyn Mitchell
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Jocelyn Mitchell interviewed on 26 May 2003 by Jane Holth Synopsis Jocelyn Mitchell discusses how she became involved as a gardener and member of the Australian Garden History Society through moving to and living at...
Dr Miranda Morris
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Dr Miranda Morris interviewed on 14 June 2003 by Sallyann Dakis Synopsis Dr Miranda Morris became involved in the Australian Garden History Society whilst working for the School of Environmental Design at the Tasmanian...
Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC, DBE, interviewed on 9 September 2002 by Jane Holth Synopsis Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was interviewed on 9 September 2002, by Jane Holth, for the Australian Garden History Society Oral History...
Elaine Musgrave
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Elaine Musgrave interviewed on 27 Jan 2020 by Ruth Bailey This is an oral interview with Elaine Musgrave, Botanical Artist and spouse of Les Musgrave, at The Kaya, Wildes Meadow, New South Wales. Elaine will...
Les Musgrave
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Les Musgrave interviewed on 27 January 2020 by Ruth Bailey This is an oral interview with Les Musgrave, owner and the Head Gardener at The Kaya, Wildes Meadow in New South Wales. Les is speaking...
Fairie Nielsen
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Fairie Nielsen interviewed in October 2004 by Sallyann Dakis Synopsis Fairie (Mary) Nielsen, who described herself as ‘just a farmer’, was asked to join the Tasmanian Australian Garden History Society branch committee in 1984...
Carmel O’Halloran
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Carmel O’Halloran interviewed on 22 September 2022 by Patsy Vizents Synopsis Carmel was born in Narrogin in WA’s wheat belt area and spent a lot of time during her school holidays on family...
Marilyn Pidgeon OAM
Interview Recording Part one: Part two: Interview Transcript Marilyn Pidgeon interviewed on 1 May 2024 by Liz Chappell with Lynne Walker Synopsis Marilyn Pidgeon recounts how her childhood in Tasmania inspired the creation of her later much visited and...
Carolyn Robinson
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Carolyn Robinson interviewed on 25 June 2019 by Liz Chappell Synopsis Carolyn Robinson has created two significant gardens at her homes, Glenrock and Eagle’s Bluff, near Tenterfield in Northern NSW, since 1992. She has designed...
Rick Shepherd
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Rick Shepherd interviewed on 3 October 2019 by Sue Whitehouse This is an oral interview with Rick Shepherd, Head Gardener at Retford Park, Bowral. Rick is speaking with Sue Whitehouse, for the Australian Garden History...
Gwenda Sheridan
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Gwenda Sheridan interviewed on 30 March 2021 by Jean Elder This is an interview with Gwenda Sheridan, who is being interviewed for the Australian Garden History Society’s National Oral History Collection. Gwenda is speaking about...
Catherine Shields
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Catherine Shields interviewed on 12 September 2022 by Jean Elder Synopsis Catherine Shields is one of Tasmania’s most popular landscape designers, whose creative work ranges from ever changing styles in contemporary outdoor garden spaces...
Lynda Skipper
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Lynda Skipper interviewed on 10 May 2024 by Liz Chappell and Lynne Walker Synopsis Lynda Skipper and her late husband Bill came to live at Ollera Station, west of Guyra, Northern NSW, in 1984...
Shirley Stackhouse OAM
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Shirley Stackhouse interviewed on 23 November 2006 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Shirley Stackhouse was virtually brought up in her grandfather’s rose nursery. George Henry Heers, was the Director of Dairying for the Department...
Janet Storrier
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Janet Storrier interviewed on 4 February 2020 by Sue Whitehouse This is an oral interview with Janet Storrier, owner and Head Gardener at Hopewood House, Bowral. Janet will be speaking with Sue Whitehouse for the...
Bill Swan
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Bill Swan interviewed on 14 June 2017 by Liz Chappell Synopsis Bill Swan grew up at Byron Station, Inverell in Northern NSW where he lived at the time of the interview. His grandparents purchased Byron...
Christine Swan
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Christine Swan interview on 14 June 2017 by Liz Chappell Synopsis Christine Swan came to live at Byron Station in Northern NSW when she married Bill in 1964. She grew up in the Inverell...
Vicki, Jonathan and Michael Taylor
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Vicki, Jonathan and Michael Taylor interviewed on 16 May 2018 by Marilyn Pidgeon with Lynne Walker Synopsis This interview records the tree restoration work of the Taylor family at ‘Terrible Vale’, Kentucky, NSW. Since the...
William Todd
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Will Todd interviewed on 11 March 2020 by Liz Chappell Synopsis One of the best-preserved early town gardens is Bona Vista on the southern outskirts of Armidale. The two-storey home in local blue brick...
Dr Stephen Utick
This is an oral interview with Dr Stephen Utick, co-founder of Camellia Ark Australia, which aims to conserve Australia’s rarest camellias, and Chair of the International Camellia Society’s Committee for Historic Camellia Conservation. Dr Utick spoke with Laurel Cheetham and...
Peter Valder OAM
Interview Recording Interview Transcript Peter Valder interviewed on 13 March 2007 by Roslyn Burge Synopsis Long-time Australian Garden History Society member and author, Dr Peter Valder grew up in isolation at Nooroo, at Mount Wilson in NSW’s Blue...
John Viska
Interview Recording Interview Transcript John Viska interviewed on 11 October 2018 by Patsy Vizents Synopsis John Viska is the current Chairman of the WA branch of the Australian Garden History Society and has held the position three times...
David Yencken
Interview Recording Interview Transcript David Yencken interview on 20 March 2003 by Jane Holth Synopsis David Yencken was a gallery owner, property developer and administrator in Melbourne, introducing the discipline of landscape architecture in to the urban housing...
2008 Annual National Conference – Bowral
In 2008 the Southen Highlands branch of the Australian Garden History Society held the Annual National Conference in Bowral, NSW. The theme of the conference was From Wilderness to Pleasure Ground: discovering the garden history of the Southern Highlands. Papers...
2012 Annual National Conference – Ballarat
The compilation of the 2012 Conference presentation papers is now available to download here...
2013 AGHS & UWA Tree Forum Papers
Papers presented at the WA Tree Forum 2013. Table of Contents Trees as Markers in the Cultural Landscape – Professor Jane Lennon (Melbourne University, ICOMOS expert) Valuing and Maintaining the Urban Forest – Dr Greg Moore (University...
2013 Annual National Conference – Armidale
In 2013 the Australian Garden History Society held the 34th Annual National Conference in Armidale, NSW. Papers presented at the conference included: Early European settlement in New and Jillian Oppenheimer Gardening in the cool uplands of New England: how people...
2014 Annual National Conference – Albany
In 2014 the Western Australian Branch of the Australian Garden History Society held the 35th Annual National Conference in Albany, WA over three days in October. A selection of eminent professionals spoke at the conference on topics varying from the...
2015 Annual National Conference
For information on our conference in 2015 please contact the AGHS National Office...
2016 Annual National Conference
For information on our conference in 2016 please contact the AGHS National Office...
2017 Annual National Conference
For information on our conference in 2017 please contact the AGHS National Office...
2018 Annual National Conference
Gardens in Times of Peace and Conflict In 2018 the Australian Garden History Society held its 39th Annual National Conference in the Southern Highlands, NSW, on 29–29 October 2018. The Report of the 39th Annual National Conference: Part 1 Introduction...
2019 Annual National Conference
Expanding Horizons In 2019 the Australian Garden History Society held its 40th Annual National Conference at the National Museum of New Zealand,Wellington on 25–27 October 2019. Conference presentations were given by: James Beattie – Chinese market gardening in New Zealand: exchange...
2022 Annual National Conference – Hobart
Landscape on the Edge: Challenge and Opportunity 42nd national conference, Hobart, November 2022 The conference lectures took a broad perspective on our environmental, landscape and garden history, delving back into the big history of geology and Tasmania’s Gondwana connection; Tasmanian...
2023 Annual National Conference – Ipswich
Digging into the past – above and below the Limestone Hill 43rd annual conference: Ipswich ― 29 September to 1 October 2023 The City of Ipswich (Tulmur in the Yagara language) is in sub-tropical south-east Queensland about 40 km inland...
2024 Annual National Conference – Bunbury
View of Koombana Bay on Port Leschenault, Australind, Western Australia, drawn and lithographed by TC Dibdin, from an original sketch taken on the spot by Miss Louisa Clifton, image National Library of Australia Hesperia: Looking West John Viska, the conference...
A Gardener’s City: Canberra’s Garden Heritage
Canberra, the Garden City and Capital of Australia is recognised as one of the best examples in the world of a planned city. It has millions of mature trees and other plantings in what was an unforgiving limestone plain, providing...
A Guide to Conserving and Interpreting Gardens in Western Australia by John Viska
A guide to conserving and interpreting gardens in Western Australia / compiled by John Viska for the West Australian Branch of the Australian Garden History Society. Published , RRP $15.00 (incl GST) Contact the National Office for availability 1800 678...
ABC Interview with Dr Jessica Hood AGHS Vice Chair
Dr Jessica Hood featured on the ABC 7:30 Report on Monday 1st April, 2019. Everyone at AGHS wishes Jess all the best in her new role at Heritage Victoria. “I was on ABC 730 tonight talking about this and other...
ACT Branch: The ‘English Garden’ and Yarralumla Nursery
The ‘English Garden’ and Yarralumla Nursery The English Garden and Yarralumla Nursery are two of Canberra’s heritage treasures. Preserving this heritage is an ongoing task to which the ACT Monaro Riverina Branch has helped contribute. In 1914 the fledgling nursery...
AGHS Annual Report 2015–16
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the 2015-16 Annual Report...
AGHS Annual Report 2016–17
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS 2016-17 annual report...
AGHS Annual Report 2017–18
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2017-2018...
AGHS Annual Report 2018-2019
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2018-2019...
AGHS Annual Report 2019-2020
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2019-2020 and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2020...
AGHS Annual Report 2020-2021
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2020-2021 and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2021. ...
AGHS Annual Report 2021-2022
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2021-2022 and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2022...
AGHS Annual Report 2022-2023
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2022-23 and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2023...
AGHS Annual Report 2023-2024
The Australian Garden History Society is pleased to provide you with the AGHS Annual Report 2023-24 and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2024...
AGHS Financial Statements – 2017
The Australian Garden History Society financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2017 are now available to download...
AGHS Financial Statements – 2021
The Australian Garden History Society financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2021 are now available to download...
AGHS Financial Statements – 2022
The Australian Garden History Society financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 are now available to download...
AGHS Financial Statements – 2023
The Australian Garden History Society financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023 are now available to download...
AGHS Financial Statements – 2024
The Australian Garden History Society financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2024 are now available to download...
Belmont
A photographic study of Belmont Estate can be explored by clicking here...
Dig In! with TROVE
Gardeners have long built and re-built communities. Great swathes of land and some important Australian gardens were lost or significantly damaged in the fire and hailstorms of the 2019-2020 summer. In keeping with the AGHS mission to promote awareness through...
Garden History Select Bibliography
We learn about gardens and garden history through our own horticultural efforts, attending talks and exhibitions, going on garden visits, tours and attending open gardens. We also learn through reading. A select list of publications about Australian gardens and their...
Goronga
A photographic study of Goronga can be explored by clicking here...
Heritage Apples, Pears, Quinces, plums & citrus – who, what where?
Produced by Sydney and Northern New South Wales member, Stuart Read this list of heritage fruit growers and plants around Australia is a fascinating resource. Click here to download...
Mont Park
A photographic study of Mont Park can be explored by clicking here...
New Zealand plants in Australian gardens
After our ‘Expanding Horizons’ 2019 conference in New Zealand, an increased awareness of and interest in plants native to Aoteoroa in Australian gardens might be arising. From the Society’s 2013 ‘Gardens with Altitude’ conference in Armidale comes this paper by...
Pialligo Redwood Forest
This video tells the history of the unusual Pialligo Redwood plantation in Canberra, recently stressed by drought and then by bushfire. Luckily the Sequoia trees are resilient and regrowth is already visible, ensuring the trees and their important heritage values...
Tree Avenues – from War to Peace – by Stuart Read
Programme of International Symposium “Tree avenues – from War to Peace” 12 & 13 November 2018 – Liffol-le-Grand (France) Presentation by Stuart Read, AGHS National Management Committee member Stuart Read, Landscape architect, horticulturist and expert member of ICOMOS-IFLA international scientific...
Tree Forum presentations – now available on YouTube
AGHS Victorian Branch: Tree Forum – now available on YouTube On Friday 29 May 2015, the Victorian Branch of the AGHS held a full day forum; Trees – Natural & Cultural Values, at the State Library of Victoria. Ten esteemed...
Weeding Between the Lines
Readers of John Dwyer’s anthology, Weeding between the lines, wishing to delve further into the scholarship of weeds, can access fully referenced papers from which some of the essays are drawn here: Weeds as a botanical category, paper delivered at...
Wombat Park
A photographic study of Wombat Park can be explored by clicking here...
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