By Eleanor Wilson
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (RBGV) director and chief executive Tim Entwisle will stand down from the management position later this year, he announced in a statement on Monday 9 January.
It closes the door on almost a decade at the helm of the Melbourne and Cranbourne gardens for Mr Entwisle, who took on the director’s role in 2013 after starting his career there in the 1990s as a botanist.
He will officially round up his duties at RBGV in July, after which he said he looks forward to pursuing other interests such as writing and speaking, as well as spending more time with family.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the staff, volunteers, honorary associates and Friends of this wonderful organisation,” Mr Entwisle said in a statement.
“I’d also like to thank the Boards, and the three Board chairs – Elaine Canty AM, Ken Harrison AM KSJ and Chris Trotman – for their guidance and governance through my time as chief executive.
“With strong support from the Victorian Government – particularly Minister D’Ambrosio over recent years – and the generosity of donors and our own Foundation, we have achieved great things.”
2022 was a standout year for the Gardens, which was awarded the Major Tourist Attraction prize at the Victorian Tourism Awards in December for the third year in a row, subsequently inducting them into the Victorian Tourism Industry Council’s Hall of Fame.
Earlier in the year, RGBV also saw success at the Australian Tourism Awards, winning gold in the Major Tourist Attraction category.
The last 10 years under the botanist’s guidance has seen science and sustainability prioritised, with both RBGV locations fostering bushfire recovery programs, Victoria’s Conservation Seedbank and a nation-leading orchid conservation program.
“Over recent years I’ve been particularly delighted to support an increase in the diversity of plants collections at both sites, and a stronger focus on conservation and extension,” Mr Entwisle said.
“I’m delighted that Conservation Horticulture – combining science and horticulture – is now an indispensable part of RBGV’s future.”
At Cranbourne, Mr Entwisle has left his mark on a series of projects, including a new western entrance and Visitor Centre, a lift and children’s playground and new garden landscapes in the Australian Garden.
Visitor numbers have risen dramatically at Cranbourne, with local communities ‘discovering’ the beauty of their local (but internationally awarded) botanic garden.
The Melbourne gardens have benefitted from new garden landscapes and restored pavilions, with work underway to finish the perimeter fences and pavilion restoration, along with a new City Gate entrance overlooking the Birrarung – or Yarra River.
The Melbourne gardens have also been host to several cultural events including Listen Out, Weekend in the Gardens, Fire Gardens and Lightscape.
In his final months as director, Mr Entwisle will turn his focus to “sowing the seeds” for several future projects at RBGV.
This includes a herbarium to protection the Garden’s State Botancial Collection, a Nature Science Precinct and a “sensitively designed” glasshouse on the lake.
“There is plenty to do over the next six months or so, and this is not the time to say farewells, but I do want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and friendship, and for your unwavering commitment to this wonderful organisation,” Mr Entwisle said.
“I love working here, and I know the Gardens will continue to flourish.”
