By Tyler Wright
Star Mail is looking back at the year that was in 2023 and the Dandenong Ranges added a beautiful addition to it’s already stunning landscape.
The Chelsea Australia Garden in Olinda officially opened to the public, with both locals and visitors able to enjoy the award-winning build.
Designer Phillip Johnson’s original ‘Australian Garden’ exhibit, created by Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the London Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show in 2013.
On Friday 30 June, a replica over 20 times the size of the original display was unveiled at the Olinda Golf Course to around 20 visitors including representatives from both Parks Victoria and the People and Parks Foundation.
Phillip Johnson Landscapes general manager Vaughn Greenhill said the opening was a “relief,” with the build being “incredibly difficult” due to the amount of rain over the past 12 months.
“Getting to the opening, seeing people in here just makes me proud of the whole team,” Mr Greenhill said.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know that there’s a permanent generational garden here representing our work, our beliefs and will be here connecting 1000s of people back to nature each year.”
The ‘Australian Garden’ features a billabong and waterfall operated by solar/battery power, alongside native flora.
Some 15,000 plants from over 400 different species find their home in the garden; approximately 100 of which are rare and endangered.
“Native birds, bees, butterflies and other pollinators return, frogs and other aquatic life have new and lasting urban habitat, and we all get to connect with nature,” Mr Greenhill said.
“We capture storm water runoff to store and clean over one million litres of water that can be used for bushfire protection system and slow down the storm surge. This in turn prevents the erosion and damage downstream in our natural creeks and gullies below.”
A redesigned ‘Waratah sculpture,’ which was moulded to the eyeline of Queen Elizabeth II for her to have an interrupted view of the garden’s skyline, stands nine metres high in the new space.
The design team has also included technology in the garden that will allow anyone from around the world to log in and live stream the garden from seven different vantage points.
“The mulch and logs seat came from the Yarra Ranges storm recovery efforts (after the June 2021 storms) here in the Dandenongs,” Mr Greenhill said.
“Everything in the garden can be used to inspire home gardeners around the world.
“All the sustainable principles of water management, plant selection, landscaping materials and designs that can reduce the impact we have on our environments, repair the damage of the past, last the test of time and respect our incredible country.”
In a joint media release with Federal Minister for Regional Development Catherine King, Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt said the garden has been “highly anticipated among nature lovers near and far”.
“We look forward to see visitors from across Victoria come to experience this amazing natural attraction,” Ms Stitt said.
“We are thrilled to be providing more opportunities for people to get into nature, and this garden will showcase Australia’s captivating and diverse native flora.”
The garden was made possible thanks to a $6 million investment from the Albanese and Andrews Governments and $340,000 raised by the People and Parks Foundation.
“The stunning Dandenong Ranges are a treasured year-round tourist destination and the new Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda will help attract more visitors to the area,” Minister for Tourism, Sports and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said.
Monbulk MP Daniela De Martino said the “superb” native garden is an “exemplar of the beauty of Australian flora and a jewel in the crown of the Dandenong Ranges”.
“Locals and visitors alike will be able to enjoy this masterpiece for many years to come and I am thrilled that it is located here in the District of Monbulk,” Ms De Martino said.
If you are unable to visit the ‘Australian Garden’ in person, or just want to take a peek at the serene landscape at home, visit www.chelseaaustraliangardenatolinda.com.au/
