Welcome

The fifth sensational Rotary Garden DesignFest is now over.  Twenty six superbly designed gardens by some of Melbourne's most acclaimed garden designers were on show with the designers on hand at their respective gardens to chat to the public - those who met these talented professionals were able to discuss their design needs and obtain all the relevant information needed to create or improve their own gardens.

The Patron of this festival is John Patrick, the well known media identity.  Mr Patrick confirmed that 100% of the net proceeds have gone to the charities selected by the Rotary Club of Kew, as listed at the bottom of this page.  As the proud organisers of this event the Rotary Club of Kew aims to firstly raise much needed funds for its selected charities; and secondly to encourage creative, bold, innovative, versatile, practical and responsible gardening in our Australian gardens.

This year's weekend of open gardens has been the most successful event run since the inception of Garden DesignFest in 2004.  We are deeply indebted to the generous owners of the gardens and their designers whithout whom we would not be able to stage this event.

Please enjoy your visit to this site and the information it contains on the designers, the gardens, the charities and our sponsors for 2012.  We look forward to welcoming you back in 2014 to once again come and enjoy another truly memorable weekend.

In the meantime, treat your self to an equally spectacular weekend in New Zealand by visiting the Rotary Club of Newmarket's Auckland Garden DesignFest on the weekend of November 16-17, 2013.  http://www.gardendesignfest.co.nz/

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Don Thomson

Don Thomson established Gardenridge in 1989 and as Administrator and Project Designer continues to be the driving force behind the success of Gardenridge. Gardenridge has grown to become a multi faceted landscaping company providing services from design through construction to maintenance, from the smallest courtyard garden to broad acre landscapes and in locations from the city to Portsea.
Don has tertiary qualifications in Forest Science, Urban Planning and Design, and Landscape Architecture. He also has been heavily involved with the Landscape Industry Association of Victoria, as… Read More