Reflections on Kevin's contributions to Castlemaine
July 24, 2022
by Jon Leevers
I enjoyed knowing and having a friendship with Kevin over 30 years. I particularly enjoyed that we were fathers at the same stage of life and watched our children grow up together, through school, sport, parties and into continuing adulthood friendships.
Kevin was a quiet, yet significant contributor to shaping the local community and landscape of Castlemaine.
In 1991 he co wrote the Management Plan for the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and the History of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. These reports are still used today as principal sources for the history and physical documentation of the gardens and many of the recommendations of the management plan have been, and continue to be, implemented.
In 1992 he convened the Friends of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens group. Through both these contributions, the amenity and aesthetics of the gardens has been improved and the local appreciation for, and usage of, the gardens has greatly increased. They have become a more highly valued asset for Castlemaine.
He was a contributor to the Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens from its inception in the mid 1990’s, including his guided tours of the Botanical Gardens in entertaining character as Baron Von Mueller.
He provided comment on, and helped shape, the horticultural aspects of significant developments in Castlemaine and provided pro bono advice on landscape development of the Castlemaine Primary School.
In his consultancy work he designed many contemporary gardens in Castlemaine and Central Victoria. Whilst primarily a horticulturalist, Kevin recognised the importance of locally indigenous plants and incorporated them in his landscape designs, at times collaborating with local naturalist, the late Ern Perkins, in doing so.
He recognised the importance of including Traditional Owner history, knowledge and aspirations in planning for public spaces. He put this into practice by ensuring Traditional Owner groups were invited and consulted early on in planning processes and designs for public gardens.
He was generous in his support and encouragement for many people, myself included, in development of their enterprises and careers. I also enjoyed observing and sharing stories of Kevin’s own successful career changes and developments.
He was a good man. A good friend.
Kevin was a quiet, yet significant contributor to shaping the local community and landscape of Castlemaine.
In 1991 he co wrote the Management Plan for the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens and the History of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens. These reports are still used today as principal sources for the history and physical documentation of the gardens and many of the recommendations of the management plan have been, and continue to be, implemented.
In 1992 he convened the Friends of the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens group. Through both these contributions, the amenity and aesthetics of the gardens has been improved and the local appreciation for, and usage of, the gardens has greatly increased. They have become a more highly valued asset for Castlemaine.
He was a contributor to the Castlemaine and District Festival of Gardens from its inception in the mid 1990’s, including his guided tours of the Botanical Gardens in entertaining character as Baron Von Mueller.
He provided comment on, and helped shape, the horticultural aspects of significant developments in Castlemaine and provided pro bono advice on landscape development of the Castlemaine Primary School.
In his consultancy work he designed many contemporary gardens in Castlemaine and Central Victoria. Whilst primarily a horticulturalist, Kevin recognised the importance of locally indigenous plants and incorporated them in his landscape designs, at times collaborating with local naturalist, the late Ern Perkins, in doing so.
He recognised the importance of including Traditional Owner history, knowledge and aspirations in planning for public spaces. He put this into practice by ensuring Traditional Owner groups were invited and consulted early on in planning processes and designs for public gardens.
He was generous in his support and encouragement for many people, myself included, in development of their enterprises and careers. I also enjoyed observing and sharing stories of Kevin’s own successful career changes and developments.
He was a good man. A good friend.