Gardens’ golden glory

By Russell Bennett
OLINDA’S National Rhododendron Gardens in all their glory recently celebrated their golden jubilee.
From 17 to 20 October, the Australian Rhododendron Society (ARS) welcomed swarms of visitors through its gates to admire the colour and splendour of a hills spring season.
Secretary of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Rhododendron Society Michael Hare said: “everyone had a great time” at the conference to celebrate the golden jubilee milestone.
“It was to celebrate 50 years of both the society and the gardens,” he said.
“We had a number of overseas visitors from the United States, Canada and New Zealand as well as those from interstate.”
The 100-acre Olinda garden was created by volunteers in 1960 on land granted by the State Government specially for creating the attraction.
Fifty years later and a volunteer group of society members still exists. They help maintain the garden’s beauty alongside Parks Victoria, which has managed The Georgian Road property since 1995.
The gardens currently incorporate around 15,000 rhododendrons – making it the most extensive collection anywhere in the country.
Visitor numbers have increased by 250 per cent in the 12 months since free entry was established.
“During the conference, we heard talks on how the garden was developed and which rhododendrons had been hybridised and developed by Australians,” Mr Hare said.
“We had speakers from Emu Valley in Tasmania and Mt Lofty in South Australia.”
The property offers wide-ranging views of the Upper Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges and is often used as a scenic ground for weddings in the warmer months.
Next year’s society conference will be held in Tasmania.
For more information about the National Rhododendron Gardens, call 13 19 63.