Handbury Award
Members are invited to nominate for this award named in honour of the late Geoff Handbury AO, a major benefactor of the Australian Association of Friends of Botanic Gardens Inc (AAFBG) who gave a sum of money over a period of five years for the administration and support of Botanic Gardens through Friends of Botanic Gardens, Australia wide.
One of Australia’s great philanthropists Geoff was committed to family and community he left lasting legacies, one of his passions was Botanic Gardens and the role they play in social wellbeing and education.
This award recognises exceptional contributions to an Australian Botanic Garden, Arboretum or Park, by an AAFBG member group or individual from a member group.
THE AWARD CATEGORIES are:
- Exceptional contribution by an individual member to their Botanic Garden, Park or Arboretum.
- Exceptional contribution of a member organisation to its Botanic Garden, Park or Arboretum.
Recipients 2024
CATEGORY 1
Lisa Steven, Friends Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
For outstanding contribution and dedication to the promotion, administration and wellbeing of RRGM through volunteering.
Glenys Bishop, Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens
For major contribution to education and research fostering the cause of botanic gardens through guiding and volunteering.
Valerie Richards, Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens
For significant contribution to community leadership through the art and science of botanical art volunteer effort.
CATEGORY 2
Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra, The Harvest Group
For major contribution to community engagement, horticultural endeavour and fundraising through volunteer effort.
Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens, The Growing Friends
For long-standing significant contribution to horticulture and financial contribution through volunteering for major works.
Friends of Kings Park, The Bushland Restoration Project
For outstanding innovation and preservation of the natural environment by community engagement and volunteer effort.
Recipients 2023
CATEGORY 1
Delys Van Mierlo, Friends of the Botanic Gardens Cairns
For long term dedication and passion in fostering the cause of Botanic Gardens.
Tony Davis, Friends Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens
For long term dedication and passion in fostering the cause of Botanic Gardens.
Roger and Gwen Elliot, Friends of RBG Cranbourne
For exceptional long term dedication to establishment, education and advocacy, thus fostering the cause of RBG Cranbourne as a result of lifetime devotion to Australian flora.
Heather Harrington, Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
For major contribution and creation of improvement by individuals in a collective volunteer effort.
Evelyn McAdam, Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
For major contribution and creation of improvement by individuals in a collective volunteer effort.
Diane Honey, Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
For major contribution and creation of improvement by individuals in a collective volunteer effort.
CATEGORY 2
Friends of Sale Botanic Gardens
For major contribution and creation of improvement by individuals in a collective volunteer effort by Heather Harrington, Evelyn McAdam and Dianne Honey.
Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens Volunteers
For exceptional contribution and dedication to the establishment of SHBG through collective volunteer effort.
RBG Cranbourne Growing Friends
For exceptional contribution and dedication to the education, advocacy and financial benefit of RBG Cranbourne.
Handbury Award winners
Recipients 2022
CATEGORY 1
Elizabeth Gilfillan, Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Elizabeth's contribution to Friends of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens and to the Australian Association of Friends of Botanic Gardens has seen both organisations grow and flourish.
CATEGORY 2
Friends of Lismore Rainforest Botanic Garden Wednesday Work Group
For outstanding contribution by collective volunteer endeavour contributing to major works to Lismore Rainforest Botanic Garden thus enhancing the environment and the community.
CATEGORY 2
Friends of Bendigo Botanic Gardens Inc.
For outstanding contribution by collective volunteer endeavour and advocating for major works to the Bendigo Botanic Gardens thus enhancing the environment and the community.
Recipients 2021
CATEGORY 1
Margaret Lynch, Friends of Eurobodallah Regional Botanic Garden
For decades of inspiring leadership as guide, mentor, educator and nursery volunteer.
Ronda and Peter Hall, Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden Port Augusta Inc.
For decades of dedicated contribution in education, propagation and garden maintenance and development.
Janet O'Hehir, Friends of Camperdown Botanic Gardens and Arboretum Trust
For remarkable dedication to advocacy, education and garden development and for the indomitable spirit she brings to the gardens.
Beth and Raoul Dixon, Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens
For long-term dedication to the activities of FBBG through guiding, education and administration.
Kevin Stokes, Friends of Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
For long-term contribution to the establishment and development of the Gardens, education and administration.
Kevin McDonald, Friends of Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
For long-term contribution to the establishment and development of the Gardens, education and guiding.
CATEGORY 2
Friends of Kings Park and Botanic Garden. WA
For major contribution to Kings Park, through fundraising for major works and volunteer effort.
The Friends of the National Arboretum Canberra
For major contribution by collective volunteer endeavour and financial contribution to major projects.
Friends of Eurobodalla Botanic Garden
For major contribution in support of major works and volunteer endeavour.
Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
For outstanding contribution by collective volunteer endeavour and securing funding for major works.
Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens. Growing Group
For major contribution over many years of collective volunteer effort and financial contribution.
Friends of Orange Botanic Gardens. Propagation Group
For major contribution by preservation of threatened species by volunteer effort and for financial contribution.
The Friends of the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. Port Augusta. Inc.
For outstanding contribution to the foundation of AALBG and continued collective volunteer and financial contribution over decades.
Inaugural Handbury Awards Recipients 2020
Dennis Ayliffe, Australian National Botanic Gardens
Dr Andrew and Mrs Jenny Binns, Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens
Julie Bradby, Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Barry Kemp, North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Mandy King, Warrnambool Botanic Gardens
Pat Offord, Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens
Growing Friends, Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens Sydney
2020 Handbury Award Recipients
