Leafing through the pages of history on the Wollongong Botanic Garden

To mark the 50^th anniversary, the Friends of the Botanic Garden have compiled the book Discover Wollongong Botanic Garden that charts the growth of the garden, using photos, maps and text.

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"It outlines the history of the garden and then goes on to describe the garden collection and the importance of the conservation work of the garden," said Friends of the Botanic Garden vice-president Helen Moon.

"It's mostly a photographic book, so there's not a lot of text - but they're absolutely beautiful photos."

Ms Moon said some of the photos showed what the garden looked like in the early days.

"There's a small range of historical photos right from the beginning of the garden, up until now," she said.

"The very early photos just show a paddock but now it's fully developed and absolutely beautiful. It's come a huge way.

"Except for what the Hoskins family had planted up around Gleniffer Brae, it was basically farmland.

"There was very little here - it had been grazing country."

The book Discover Wollongong Botanic Garden costs $25.

It is for sale at the botanic garden office, the Greenplan plant sales office or by emailing botanicgarden@wollongong.nsw.gov.au.

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