BACK TO NATURE - Thirty years of Botanic Garden action

The Friends of Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens (MRBBG) recently celebrated 30 years since their formation, sharing a sumptuous afternoon tea with Mayor Rosanna Natoli and early Members and supporters. 

Back in 1996, the initial group of Friends urged the then Maroochy Council to purchase the initial 82 hectares of land at Palm Creek Road at Tanawha. Legend has it that the Hummingbird Cake baked by Maureen Sheargold (Founding President) was shared with members of the Council at the proposed site back in 1996, and that helped to clinch the deal. It was fitting that Maureen baked another Hummingbird cake to share with guests 30 years later at this celebration!

Aunty Bev Hand provided a warm Welcome to Country and congratulated Members on their tenacity, guidance and three decades of achievements.  

Mayor Natoli reflected on the 30-year journey of the Gardens from first being “imagined and then reimagined”.  She recalled her own experiences from family picnics to reporting as a journalist on events such as the creation of sculptures and Christmas light shows.  

As the landscape architect responsible for the 1998 Master Plan for the site, Mr Lawrie Smith AM also reflected on the role of the Friends in the development of the Gardens, noting the Friends have been there “every step of the way.” 

Lawrie also provided a vision for the future development opportunities for the MRBBG for the next 30 years and encouraged the Sunshine Coast community to embrace these opportunities. 

He stressed the value of the Gardens to the community’s understanding of local biodiversity, its scientific and landscape value:  “Ideally this will demonstrate and encourage the use of regional species in the rural and urban residential gardens,” he said.   

His thoughts were echoed by Mr Ralph Bailey, who was the architect of the Arts and Ecology Centre at the MRBBG. 

Maureen Sheargold OAM, the Founding President of the Friends, was described by the Master of Ceremonies as “indefatigable” in her vision and contribution to the Gardens over 30 years. In her speech Maureen modestly asked to “Let the gardens speak for themselves”.

The Friends continue work in co-operation with the Sunshine Coast Council to provide practical and financial support for the Gardens and adjacent bushland reserves that now span almost 200Ha. Teams of volunteers including gardening, construction, guiding and propagation crews have worked tirelessly for 30 years to maintain garden areas to a standard that matches the natural appeal of the bushland itself, which now includes a growing network of walking trails through koala habitat.  Many of the guests at the celebration explored the new butterfly garden, the newest joint project between the Friends and the Sunshine Coast Council that has been five years in the making.  

The ‘Friends of MRBBG’ are keen to accept new Members and hear from supporters to help continue their work for another thirty years and beyond. Contact: friendsofMRBBG@gmail.com (Pictured: Mayor Rosanna Natoli with the Friends of MRBBG - image by Greg Miller.)