By Eleanor Wilson
Old and new friends of Berwick’s hidden gem – Wilson Botanic Park – reunited on the historic grounds of the reserve to celebrate its 30th birthday on Friday 8 July.
The old basalt quarry site was transformed into a 39-hectare park in the late 1980s by council staff and a group of dedicated locals – known as the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park.
While the weather was wet and dreary for the celebrations, spirits were high as locals reminisced on their years of weeding, planting and running events to make the park the well-regarded nature destination it is today.
“When we first started gardening, we used to go willy-nilly all over the place and you’d come home after a day of gardening and think ‘oh goodness, we’ll never get it done this way’,” said foundation member Judy Smith.
Fellow Friends member Thelma Thompson reflected on the functions the group organised throughout the park’s history.
“We organised working bees, but also fashion parades in the rose garden and Valentine’s Day picnics and dinners… and we catered for it all,” she said.
A large part of the celebrations were dedicated to the park’s first superintendent, Lex Nieboer, who, like many of the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, dedicated decades of his life to the upkeep of the park.
While Mr Nieboer called the development of the park “a team effort”, the City of Casey used the commemoration to announce its intention to recognise his hard work over the years.
“For anyone who has a history of being involved with Wilson Botanic Park, you would certainly know the name Lex Nieboer,“ City of Casey chief executive Glenn Patterson said.
“I am pleased to announce that we will be acknowledging the work and input of Lex and will be naming an area of the park after him once we have a fully endorsed master plan.”
The birthday milestone coincided with the park’s latest award – named ‘Park of the Year (VIC/TAS)’ by Parks and Leisure Australia.
Wilson Botanic Park, located off the Princes Highway, welcomes over 600,000 visitors each year and is home to over 1000 native and exotic plant species.
A place of refuge for many local families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Friends member David Pearce said the park was, “one of the few places left where people smile and say hello when they pass you.”
Fellow Friends member Peter Fleming touched on the importance of the park throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, in a commemorative video presented to the audience.
“During the Covid-19 lockdowns, people couldn’t go anywhere except for a place like this and so this place was full of people and that was amazing,” he said.
Along with stories from Friends foundation members shared through the video, a 25 year old time capsule was unveiled, filled with precious memories from the past three decades of the park.
From original drawing plans, to horticultural reports, newspaper articles and signatures from foundation members, local councillors and Governor General at the time, Bill Hayden, the time capsule represented the historical significance of the park – which many consider to be the heart of Berwick.
The northern part of the park land was donated to what was then Berwick Council by local pioneers George and Faye Wilson in 1973.
The southern section was purchased by in 1985, after which planning for the park began and the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park was formed four years later, in 1989.
While the Wilson family’s son, David, could not attend the celebrations, he offered some words of gratitude to all those involved.
‘In speaking with David Wilson, son of George and Faye Wilson, he wanted to pass on how impressed the family are with the way the people of Berwick, the Friends of Wilson Botanic and the council have picked up the ball, and run with it, such has the enthusiasm been over the three last decades,” said Mr Patterson.
“It is wonderful to see the vision my parents have come to life in such a transformative way,” he said on behalf of Mr Wilson.
Kristy Lottkowitz, who was the Mayor at the time of the park opening, also offered a written message of support all the way from Cairo, Egypt.
“Since I was involved in the official opening of Wilson Botanic Park 30 years ago many good people have worked tirelessly to make it what it is today,” she said.
“I love that it continues to be a refuge in suburbia and a place with a strong community heart. Congratulations to all and here’s to the next 30 years.”
