Our hard work on a cold winter day has brought the magic of Spring to the gardens! Visitors have been delighted at the wonderful sight along our avenue of elms with a beautiful burst of colour from the many daffodils, jonquils and bluebells planted that day. 

Thank you to everyone who was part of this special display. There are many ways we can become more involved with our gardens. You can join the Raking Team on Friday mornings, help set-up the Reading Corner during school holidays, come along on outings to other botanical gardens and other activities planned over the warmer months. If you're not a member, why not join and stay in the loop for more opportunities to contribute to our gardens.

Our next General Meeting on Monday 7th August is a joint meeting with the Inner West Branch of the National Trust Victoria. It will feature a talk by Raylene Marshall, curator of 'a stone upon a stone', about Victoria's significant dry stone walls. Dry stone walls were used not only for fencing and walls as a result of land clearing but also by indigenous people for fish and eel traps. Find out more about these intriguing structures we take for granted on our rural landscapes.
Check your emails for details from Lindy. If you're not a member, please leave a comment below. Maybe consider becoming a member! 

Calling all artists and photographers!
Our bi-annual art competition, Paint the Gardens, returns to the gardens on Saturday, 22nd April. We expect to have many entries so make sure you register your work early to avoid missing out. The theme is Williamstown Gardens and Environs so show us what you love about our gardens and surrounding area.

Details and information about how to register can be found here.

The Reading Corner has been hibernating over winter but now it's time to get it going again. We rely on our very generous volunteers to set up and pack the items away. Without our volunteers, this amazing and appreciated activity would not be able to happen.
If you'd like to get involved, please contact Carol (0411042511) or carol @ challispalace.com and you can be on our roster for Spring.
Get in early for the dates that suit you.

Our latest newsletter is filled with activities for everyone to get involved with. There are guest speakers, excursions, Storytime under the Elm as well as a Friends Get-Together Picnic for ALL members on 14th February under the big blue gum at 2 pm.

Please download our newsletter below and update your diary with our calendar of activities.

A garden get-together in 1922 
​Photo courtesy SLV

Our gardens will host a special visitor on Friday, 4th December at 10.30 am. There will be stories, activities and songs with the theme Bush Christmas. 

Bring a picnic and enjoy this special event put on for you by Hobsons Bay Libraries and the Friends of the Williamstown Botanical Gardens.

It's spring and the September school holidays have started already! If you're wondering what to do with the kids or grandchildren, why not head down to the gardens to explore until you find our Reading Corner which is 'hidden' in a different location every day by volunteers.

The cushions, rugs, stands and a selection of garden related books have been made available to you to enjoy in the gardens by a Hobsons Bay Community Grant and kind donations from our Friends.

Details: The Reading Corner is set up on weekdays between 10 am and 3 pm and only appears if the weather permits.

If you're interested in helping out with the Reading Corner, just send an email to the Friends of Williamstown Gardens. It's an easy and fun to help out.