Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation Helps Deliver Scott Morrison Bust to Prime Ministers Avenue
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation (BBGF) is proud to have played a key role in facilitating the creation and installation of the newest addition to the iconic Prime Ministers Avenue — the bronze bust of former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Officially unveiled at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens on 15 May 2026, the sculpture marks Mr Morrison as the 30th Prime Minister commemorated along the nationally significant avenue, which attracts visitors from across Australia and around the world.
The sculpture is also the first work by acclaimed artist Martin Moore to join the historic bronze collection.
The project was made possible through a generous donation from B R Carlson, facilitated by the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation, demonstrating the important role community philanthropy continues to play in preserving and enhancing one of Ballarat’s most treasured cultural assets.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation Chair Mark Schultz said the unveiling represented an important milestone for both the Gardens and the wider community.
“The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation is grateful for this wonderful contribution to our world-class botanical gardens,” he said.
“The Prime Ministers Avenue is unique in Australia and we are very pleased that this generous donation from a member of the Ballarat community has enabled us to continue to record and commemorate the history of our country in this way.”
The Prime Ministers Avenue remains one of Australia’s most distinctive historical collections, featuring bronze busts of Australia’s Prime Ministers set within the picturesque surrounds of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Operating independently, the Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation provides a pathway for individuals and organisations to directly contribute to projects that support the long-term future of the Gardens for generations to come.
Pictured left to right: BBGF Committee member - Fleur Morrison, Donor B R Carlson, former Printer Minister Scott Morrison, BBGF Chair - Mark Shultz and BBGF Committee member - Elizabeth Gilfillan
Former Printer Minister Scott Morrison and artist Martin Moore
Image courtesy of the City of Ballarat
Fernery Plaque Unveiling Recognises Community & Funding Support
On Monday, Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves officially unveiled a commemorative plaque recognising the funding partners behind the 2024 Fernery Landscape Project within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Fernery is one of only a handful of grand Victorian plant houses remaining in Victoria and holds a special place in Ballarat’s history and the heritage of the Gardens.
Completed in March 2024, the project created a welcoming new entrance and fernery forecourt centred around the Claxton Fountain, featuring fern-frond patterned paving, timber and bluestone seating, and improved connections to the surrounding Gardens.
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation was proud to contribute $50,000 towards the project and would like to sincerely thank the members of the Ballarat community whose donations helped support the restoration of this beautiful and historic space.
The Foundation also acknowledges the important support and collaboration provided by the Friends of Ballarat Botanical Gardens, City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government in helping bring the project to life.
As a result of this shared support, the fernery will continue to be a place of calm, shade and reflection — and an important symbol of the history of the Gardens — for this and future generations to enjoy.
If you would like to support future projects within the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, donations can be made via the Foundation website or at the donation tap point located within the Robert Clark Conservatory.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation Funds Apprenticeship
Ballarat Botanical Gardens is not just a place of beauty and serenity, preserving the significance of Ballarat’s garden heritage. It is also the perfect setting for a horticultural classroom.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation were delighted to play a part, along with BGT Jobs & Training Ballarat, in enabling the City of Ballarat’s Parks and Gardens apprentices to enhance their studies by participating in on-the-job training at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Ballarat Times News Group Journalist, Edwina Williams, wrote: “City of Ballarat’s horticultural apprentices spend time in the Gardens, the nursery, with the tree and sports crews, and on Sturt and Victoria streets.
Curator parks and nursery, Peter Marquand is proud to be nurturing the “horticulturalists of the future.”
“Educating these young men and women is part of his team’s succession planning, encouraging the apprentices to apply for roles with the City of Ballarat once fully qualified. “Most of them will go through an employment process and gain work with council after their apprenticeship,” he said.
Major Donation News
Much-loved Prime Ministers Avenue gets a boost
Image: The Prime Ministers avenue in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens
A generous donation will support the creation of the next four Prime Minister busts to grace this highly valued community asset. Lined with these bronze cast sculptures, the Prime Minister’s Avenue is of national and historical significance and attracts interest from visitors from around the world.
This is a wonderful example of a local resident who wanted to share their love of the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in a way that everyone can enjoy for perpetuity. The Foundation is proud to have facilitated this donation and sincerely thanks the donor – who wishes not to be named, for their gift.
Operating independently of Council and the City of Ballarat, the Foundation provides the mechanism for community members to directly and personally contribute to supporting the Gardens for future generations. Donations of any size are gratefully received, and all contributions are tax-deductible. Please contact the Foundation for a confidential conversation.
Restoration works for treasured statues
The Statue of Hercules in the Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Image credit: City of Ballarat
Detailed restoration works on the statue of Hercules are underway thanks to a recent donation. This gift will enable the restoration of the entire Stoddart Collection which also features the statues of Hebe, Autumn and Bacchante.
The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Foundation is proud to have facilitated this donation and sincerely thanks the donor – Rick Thege for this community legacy that will stand the test of time.
Operating independently of Council and the City of Ballarat, the Foundation provides the mechanism for community members to directly and personally contribute to supporting the Gardens for future generations.
Donations of any size are gratefully received and all contributions are tax deductible. Please contact the Foundation for a confidential conversation.