Rosemary's Gift

Rosemary Cotter

A wish to share and inspire others.

Rosemary Cotter has been volunteering with Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria for over 15 years. Her love of gardening, however, goes back much further.

“I can remember gardening with my father, even when I was primary school age,” she says. “I've always liked being outside.”

Now, Melbourne Gardens is one of the places where she finds her connection with nature.

“It's always a very peaceful place; you feel as though your whole body is slowing down. It’s a haven of tranquillity, and just a very restful place,” she says.

Rosemary is a Voluntary Guide, leading walks for local and international visitors. Her volunteering takes her right across the Gardens all year round. “Each season brings its own charms and surprises. Every time you go in, whether it's a week or a month apart, there's always something different flowering or happening. The leaves, the silhouette of a tree, the scent…it’s always changing,” she says.

“As a (volunteer) group, we are continually updated with the latest and forthcoming developments in the Gardens, which we share with our visitors”, she says. It’s this experience of the Gardens that Rosemary loves to be involved in. It’s also what inspired her to leave a gift in her Will.

These gardens are the lungs of the city, and they give pleasure to so many different people from all walks of life, age, different cultures. They are a world-class garden. I know my gift is going to a worthwhile cause.

Rosemary Cotter

Rosemary’s generosity, along with that of all our Perennial Gardeners, will ensure the vital research and conservation projects carried out within the National Herbarium and across our Living Collections can continue. In doing so, the Gardens can inspire the next generation to have the same care and consideration for nature that she has.