Naturalistic approaches to designing vegetation in gardens and public landscapes. John Rayner

Come and join us for a 3 course winter meal for the annual Josine McEwan fund-raising dinner with Melbourne University Associate Professor John Rayner.

The late Josine McEwan was a volunteer in the garden at Buda Historic Home & Garden in Castlemaine.  Knowing how important Buda is to the region and wanting it to remain open for future generations to enjoy, Josine left a generous bequest to Buda when she passed away in 2006. Since 2007 an annual lecture and fundraising dinner has been conducted in Josine’s memory.

Based at the Burnley Campus of the University of Melbourne for more than 35 years, John is a teaching and research academic with a focus in urban horticulture, particularly the design, use and management of plants. His research in green infrastructure has helped develop the industry in Australia and in collaboration with multiple industry and government partners produced more than 100 publications and reports. Over the last decade John has helped lead and expand the Woody Meadow Project (https://woodymeadow.unimelb.edu.au/). He is also a keen gardener and in his spare time, together with his wife, he nurtures and tortures plants on their one-hectare garden in the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne.

This year’s lecture presented by John focuses on naturalistic planting design incorporating gardens and landscapes he has visited internationally, then his work in Australia (Woody meadows, Flowery Swards), concluding with work in his own garden applying these principles.

The dinner includes a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by a delicious and seasonal three course winter meal.

Please let us know by email if you have dietary requirements.

Menu to be advised soon