Events

Bishopscourt has been the residence of all the Anglican Bishops and Archbishops of Melbourne since 1853. The house is the oldest in East Melbourne, and the estate is the oldest in the City of Melbourne. The house and garden are both included on the Victorian Heritage Register, with eighteen trees recorded on the citation. The majestic Red River Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, later known as the “Corroboree Tree”, was estimated by Baron von Müller to have been a sapling in 1549. On arrival, we will be ushered into the house and enjoy morning tea and coffee. Then we will have a tour of the house and the spacious, beautiful garden. Bring walking shoes, drink bottle and rain jacket. Requires 20 tickets sold for the tour to proceed, confirmation on 21 April 2026.  

The Avenues of Honour project is a national initiative to document, preserve, promote and reinstate the original Avenues of Honour and to establish new commemorative trees recognizing war service, encompassing plantings from the Boer War, World Wars One and Two and all subsequent conflicts.   Glenn Williams is a former National Heritage Manager of the National Trust of South Australia and subsequently Director of Treenet, a not for profit organization responsible for the Avenues of Honour project.   There are more than 540 known Avenues of Honour in Australia, with more than 300 in Victoria. As a majority were initiated during or immediately after World War One, most of the original trees are over one hundred years old, and a significant number have disappeared or are not in good condition. Many of the small settlements where Avenues were established have also disappeared leaving no local people to care for them.   Now in retirement, Glenn devotes his time as a volunteer to continue with the project. He has many observations on the suitability of trees in different districts and climatic conditions.   Online Zoom ticket info will be sent to attendees via email before the event.

Celebrate Valentine's Day with other passionate lovers of Burnley Gardens. Relax with nibbles, drinks and music on the Melaleuca Lawn (weather dependent), followed by a seated dinner in the Main Hall with speaker John Patrick, well known garden show presenter, tour guide, principal of a landscape design firm and former lecturer at Burnley.

Members are invited to enjoy an end of year “Friends Gathering”. Come celebrate Christmas with a 45 minute walk and talk in the gardens led by Andrew Smith. See and hear about the significant shrubs at Burnley Gardens. Andrew is the former Gardens Curator and Campus Manager at Burnley retiring 3 years ago after 34 years at the helm. He is a wealth of Burnley knowledge! Enjoy finger food with a glass or two of champagne or soft drink. Guitar music provided by Peter Mrkusich. Free for all FOBG members, bookings essential.

Join Chris for an introductory lecture followed by a hands-on workshop. Hear all about how to Summer prune fruit trees to maximise fruit production, then practice your skills in the Burnley Field Station orchard. Chris will also show you how to produce fruit on espaliered trees. This is a small group workshop, where you will practice under an expert’s watchful eye. Suitable for beginners or as a refresher for experienced pruners.   Morning tea included. Bring clean secateurs, closed toe shoes, rain jacket, hat.

There will be perennials, natives, salvias, produce, bulbs, succulents, shade and indoor plants and more for sale. Payment by cash or card, BYO carry bags and parking available on Yarra Boulevard. The plant sale is on the same day as the Burnley Campus Discovery Day, so make a day of it!