Wollongong was one of 71 botanic gardens that joined in the simultaneous open day, an idea conceived by Wollongong staff to educate communities about the role botanic gardens play in protecting plants. Visitors enjoyed a rare behind the scenes look at the garden’s nursery operations and took part in workshops and guided tours. Open day ambassador Costa Georgiadis also dropped in to run a composting workshop.

“Some of our biggest challenges are being tackled on the botanic garden frontline,” he said. “There’s still low awareness of the work botanic gardens undertake.”