Friends are the people in our lives which we can rely on and for the Friends of Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, this is a bond which stretches back for 45 years.
The Friends of Botanic Gardens of Adelaide are a key cog in everything that the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium do whether its providing volunteer support to our programs, vital fundraising initiatives as well as assisting with a variety of educational and community events - the Friends do it all.
This year, the Friends celebrates its 45th birthday after it was officially formed in 1977.
On 8 November 1977, Collin Robjohns was appointed the first President and first formal member of the newly formed Friends of Botanic Gardens following the group's inaugural meeting.
The aim of the Friends has evolved over time but centres around four key points as it advocates and promotes the botanical, educational, scientific and cultural efforts of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia.
Throughout the past 45 years, the Friends of Botanic Gardens of Adelaide has raised over $1 million in fundraising support and in 2021/22 alone the Friends donated a whopping 22,000 hours of voluntary assistance.
Garden Guides, which formed as a volunteer interest group of the Friends, lead tours in Adelaide Botanic Garden daily, in addition to booked tours and weekly tours at Wittunga, Mount Lofty and Botanic Park while Friends volunteers also contribute to the staffing efforts at the Visitor Information Centre and in the Museum of Economic Botany.
Friends are also involved in other work such as plant sales, volunteer garden work and through various community events.
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium director Michael Harvey said the Friends provide vital assistance to the gardens and their commitment is something to be celebrated.
"I congratulate the Friends for reaching its 45th year of establishment," he said.
"The Friends is a remarkable group of passionate, devoted and like-minded individuals who should feel justifiably proud of its achievements which support the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium in delivering on our mission to build an understanding and appreciate for the botanical world."
To learn more about the Friends' work visit its website.
Want to contact the Friends? Visit the Contact Us page.
Thinking about volunteering? The Friends have a wide range of opportunities available.
