Media Release, December 2025
In the January issue of Australian Garden History, we ask you to look beyond the garden fence.
Landscape architect Ben Hardy-Clements dives beneath Sydney Harbour. There he observes underwater gardens, created by human interventions and natural forces. How do we respond to these gardens? Should they be cultivated, conserved, left alone?
Historian Siobhán Lavelle demonstrates how social history emerges from landscape heritage work, with a case study of the Jewish cemetery in Goulburn. Meanwhile, Christopher Cheng highlights the power of multilingual, place-based interviews to reveal the inter-generational progression of Cantonese vegetable growers.
Reflecting the eclectic nature of Australian Garden History, the issue moves from social to political themes. Gweneth Leigh argues for the preservation of public spaces for democratic debate, noting the importance of speakers’ corners in an era of social media echo chambers.
Jo Dicksen reports on the restoration of former Prime Minister Ben Chifley’s modest garden in Bathurst, which was supported by a grant from the Copeland Foundation.
Grander gardens also feature: Anne Smith explores Broughton House in Scotland, while Stuart Read celebrates the recognition of renowned garden designer Paul Sorensen with a commemorative blue plaque.
In 2026, the AGHS will have a focus on significant trees — their historical, economic and aesthetic value. Stories of special trees will be collected throughout the year, with contributions from Eleanor Dartnall and Caroline Grant setting the stage.
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Australian Garden History is the quarterly journal of the Australian Garden History Society. It is available at https://www.gardenhistorysociety.org.au/product-category/agh-journal/
To arrange an interview with any of the journal’s authors, contact Francesca Beddie, editor@gardenhistorysociety.org.au or 0418 645 181.
