Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority

Congratulations to Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) Board Member, Professor Josh Byrne, who was recognised in this year's Australia Day Honours as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). Professor Byrne was honoured for his significant service to conservation and the environment, and his work as a media presenter and author. Josh has been at the forefront of urban sustainability and sustainable gardening in Australia throughout his accomplished career, and we are incredibly fortunate to have his expertise supporting BGPA's work. Congratulations Josh! 📷 Josh Byrne with the Adorable Florables at the Everlasting Kings Park Festival, 2023.

2024 marked a big year for Kings Park's Noongar Boodja Six Seasons as the program entered its fourth year of delivery. Fostering a sense of caring for Country and providing opportunities for children to better understand and engage with Noongar culture, the Noongar Boodja program has been an important part of Kings Park’s school education programming since it began. Over 4,000 Western Australian students, teachers and volunteers benefited from the Noongar Boodja program last year, and the program is back again in 2025 with another jam-packed schedule of cultural activities across five 'mini-festivals' focused on the Noongar Seasons. Read more about the program's incredible impact on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4jfcPn1 Noongar Boodja Six Seasons is proudly supported by Fugro.

Congratulations to our Board Chair Gail McGowan, who was awarded the highest honour at the IPAA WA Achievement Awards!   Ms McGowan received the IPAA WA ‘Patron’s Award’ for an individual who has made a significant contribution to the State.   The recipient of the award must demonstrate an outstanding contribution over a substantial number of years and leave a legacy of improvement to the public sector, among other criteria.   Ms McGowan has led the BGPA Board since 2022 and overseen great achievements in Kings Park, including the announcement of Kings Park as TripAdvisor’s ‘best attraction’ in Australia in 2024. Photo L-R: BGPA attendees including Director WA Botanic Garden Sue McDougall, Board Chair Gail McGowan, Executive Director Morgan Marsh, Director Experience: Engagement, Communication & Events Jo Metcalf Photo Credit: IPAA WA

Kings Park and Botanic Garden are seeking existing works, alongside new concepts and ideas from local light artists, makers and fabricators for Lightscape 2025. Our 2025 trail theme is ‘Can’t Live Without You’ and will explore ideas such as symbiotic relationships, pollinators, and caring for our land and wildlife. If you’re a Western Australian resident with proven experience creating light-based works, we want to hear from you! You may have an existing piece of work, a willingness to create for 2025, or want to be considered for future years. Whatever the case, we’d love to see your expression of interest. EOIs close Monday 16th December 2024. For details on submission requirements and submitting your EOI, visit our website 👉 https://bit.ly/48H3akc 📷 Duncan Barnes

Applications are now open for Kings Park Science's Summer Scholarships. These scholarships provide high-achieving students interested in pursuing an honours or post-graduate degree the opportunity to begin forging a career in conservation science. Successful applicants will work on a research project directly related to conservation outcomes for WA and receive a tax-free living allowance for a 12 week fulltime placement commencing Monday 2 December 2024. Applications close Friday 25 October; find out more on the DBCA website 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRNVpf-8 📷 Our 2023-24 Summer Scholars and Friends of Kings Park President, Chris Olney.

Applications are now open for Kings Park Science's Summer Scholarships. These scholarships provide high-achieving students interested in pursuing an honours or post-graduate degree the opportunity to begin forging a career in conservation science. Successful applicants will work on a research project directly related to conservation outcomes for WA and receive a tax-free living allowance for a 12 week fulltime placement commencing Monday 2 December 2024. Applications close Friday 25 October; find out more on the DBCA website 👉 https://lnkd.in/gRNVpf-8 📷 Our 2023-24 Summer Scholars and Friends of Kings Park President, Chris Olney.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden have partnered with the Country Women's Association of Western Australia Inc to release five varieties of native plants over five years in honour of the CWA of WA's 100th birthday, with the first release now in stores. The 'Woman of Spirit' Grevillea has been named in celebration of the resilience of rural women, with the names of future releases set to commemorate significant Western Australian women. The five-year partnership builds on the long-standing relationship between the CWA and Kings Park and Botanic Garden, which began in 1962 when the idea of the Pioneer Women’s Memorial was conceived. Read more 👉 https://bit.ly/3XgIOJr

A new performance space in Kings Park was today officially handed over to the Premier of Western Australia Hon Roger Cook MLA and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority Executive Director Alan Barrett. The presentation was made by the Korean War Memorial Committee Chairman Mr Bill Munro and Honorary Co-Chai, Mr Jin Kil Lee. A plaque was unveiled by Western Australian Korean War Veteran Mr Murphy and Mr Boem-Ik Lee, a member of the Korean community in Perth and a Veteran of the Korean War. Located in the Saw Avenue Precinct, the purpose built, architecturally designed facility will support a range of performances including music, theatre and community events, as well as provide a vibrant space for the community to gather and socialise. The Amphitheatre was initiated by the Perth Korean War Memorial Committee as part of the establishment of the Korean War Memorial Project. The memorial located in the Tobruk Precinct was unveiled in Kings Park on 27 July 2023 to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities.  A linking path to this Amphitheatre enhances the accessibility of all memorials in the precinct and facilitates quiet contemplation. A significant contribution to the overall project was received from the Republic of Korea and the redevelopment of the Saw Avenue Amphitheatre, including the construction of a new sound shell, was made possible through the support of Roy Hill (a Hancock Prospecting company) and POSCO Holdings. Attendees at the unveiling included the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Australia, the Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (in Seoul), the WA Minister for Defence Industry and Veterans Affairs, the Chairman of POSCO Group , the CEO Group Operations Hancock Prospecting/Roy Hill, the Perth Korean War Memorial Committee, BGPA Board Members, Defence and service organisations, Australian and Korean business and community representatives and 16 Korean language students from Mount Lawley Senior High School. Enquiries regarding Amphitheatre bookings can be made via bookings@bgpa.wa.gov.au

We are delighted to continue to build on our long history of plant partnerships and support important work in the community, with part proceeds of the 'Scorchers Flame' 🔥 kangaroo paw contributing to the work of the WA Cricket Foundation and the conservation work of Kings Park 🌱 This partnership with the Perth Scorchers is the first collaboration between the Kings Park Plant Development program and a sporting organisation. We aim to develop plants that support our native biodiversity and build resilient landscapes for the future, and partnering with organisations such as Perth Scorchers also allows us to support resilient communities. Other examples of plants giving back include backyard and landscape favourites 'Spirit of ANZAC' grevillea and 'Local Hero' waxflower. We greatly value the local growers who work closely with Kings Park to make new cultivars a success. Benara Nurseries is a long-term horticultural partner and grew-on thousands of the kangaroo paws for retail nursery sale. Thank you to the Perth Scorchers and Benara Nursery for partnering with us to bring 'Scorchers Flame' to stores!

The Western Australian Botanic Garden is continually evolving, and the latest change is the addition of a new Boronia garden. Read all about it here 👇