Annual Report 2010-2011 (PDF - 2.47 mb) - Royal Botanic Gardens ...

Contents
OUR achievements – Strategic Priority 1A
Business Plan specific outcomes
(and associated Corporate Plan actions)
Progress against specific outcomes and actions
Specific Outcome 6 cont
b. implementing the Garden Ambassador Program
at RBG Melbourne.
Specific Outcome 7
Sponsor the Victoria in Bloom Gardening Awards in
May 2011.
Action 1
Develop new and refine existing recreational and
educational programs and services to meet the
needs of under-represented user or visitor groups.
Explore and develop new avenues of communicating
with new generations about plants.
Action 2
Enhance the content, relevance, quality and
consistency of our online information services to
promote our work and broaden our appeal to
those who access our services using the internet.
Action 4
Make a significant contribution to the development
and improvement of home gardening practices by
delivering relevant, informative and environmentally
focussed programs, demonstrations and products.
Continue developing and delivering programs with a
focus on efficient water usage, sustainable resource
management and climate change.
b. Implemented in September 2010, The Garden
Ambassador Program at RBG Melbourne
consists of over 25 trained volunteers whose
primary goal is to enhance the visitor experience
through the provision of visitor information and
interpretation activities that engage visitors,
and to convey key messages about the Gardens.
A mobile information booth was designed and
constructed as part of the program and will
assist Garden Ambassadors in delivering their
messages throughout RBG Melbourne.
The Victoria in Bloom Gardening Awards were held at
Domain House on 13 April 2011. The event was well
attended, with guests including the Minister for Housing,
the Hon. Wendy Lovell MLC. Positive feedback was
received from attendees, as well as from event
organisers from the Department of Human Services.
In 2011, RBG Cranbourne established a partnership
with Peninsula Special Development School (Peninsula
SDS). This partnership aims to support Peninsula SDS
in the integration of their school garden into their
science curriculum and provide mentoring and
professional development for Public Programs
branch staff working with special needs visitors.
The Royal Botanic Gardens established a social media
presence, using the RHS Chelsea Flower Show as a
pilot project. Dedicated Royal Botanic Gardens’
accounts were established on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr
and YouTube, enabling the Royal Botanic Gardens to
interact with an ever-increasing online audience.
In partnership with South East Water Limited and the
City of Casey, RBG Cranbourne presented its first free
Family Fun Day for City of Casey residents on 19
January 2011 at the Australian Garden. With the
Australian Garden entry fee generously subsidised by
South East Water Limited, local families were able to
enjoy a day of free activities and entertainment while
learning more about the wise use of water in home
gardens. Positive feedback was received from a wide
range of attendees, with more than 1,200 local residents
enjoying a free day out in the Australian Garden.
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