The 44th edition of the Australian Garden History Society’s annual national conference is themed “Hesperia: Looking West” and will be held in Bunbury, Western Australia from 18 to 20 October.

Colonisation of the western sector of New Holland was considered a venture that offered trading opportunities with the large British populations in India, and, after 1814, the British Cape colony on the southern tip of Africa. The initial settlement on the Swan River in 1829 was championed by Captain James Stirling, who had convinced the British Government to support the establishment of a colony by free settlers. The name he contemplated for the new colony was Hesperia from Hesperus, the Greek name for the god of the west wind. This was not adopted, with the name the Swan River Colony being used until it became officially Western Australia in 1832.

The conference invites attendees to explore the varied landcapes and histories of south-western Australia, connect with others and immerse themselves in the beautiful gardens of the region.

The conference will be held at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre and lectures will take place during the mornings, with visits to site of significance in and around Bunbury in the afternoons.

For more detailed information on the conference program, go here. To book tickets, go here.