Media Release Friends of Sherwood Arboretum   (The Local Bulletin July 2022)   

Meet a true friend!

When you genuinely need a helping hand, there’s nothing to match the support of a true friend.

The many people who today enjoy Sherwood Arboretum would be happy to know they definitely have a staunch friend in the not-for-profit community group, the Friends of Sherwood Arboretum (FOSA).

FOSA was formed in 1986 after its supporters learnt the value of a strong ‘community voice’ in successfully opposing two proposals by former Brisbane City Council administrations to reclaim the Arboretum wetlands in 1968 and to rezone this unique site for sport and recreation in 1975.

An even tougher challenge happened after Brisbane Botanic Gardens – Mount Coot-tha was opened in 1976 and Sherwood Arboretum lost its high level of professional care as a botanic garden and was placed under low-level Parks care for more than four decades.

Despite the best efforts of past FOSA members, Council’s Parks policy branch opposed all moves to return Sherwood Arboretum, established in 1925 as a botanic garden of Australian native trees, to its original status.

The impressive collection of some 1100 Australian native trees, of course, is only part of the appeal of Brisbane’s heritage-listed Arboretum.

Sherwood Arboretum is a favourite destination for relaxation and enjoyment, including the wide choice of natural experiences from bird watching in the wetlands to taking in the rainforest and riverside boardwalk.

While botanic gardens offer many things parks do – an inviting green space to unwind in and to enjoy – they also have much in common with our city’s museums as a place for discovery, learning, conservation and protection.

In February 2014, the first significant breakthrough for FOSA came when Council unanimously recognised the name Sherwood Arboretum following a petition of 1075 names – a decision opposed within Council by its Parks policy branch.

More than 10 years of ongoing advocacy has led to a refreshing policy change by the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner both in designating Sherwood Arboretum as one of Brisbane’s three botanic gardens in 2020 and now in considering further reforms.

If you would like to support’s FOSA’s role by becoming a member, please email us at info@sherwoodarboretum.com.au or visit our website www.sherwoodarboretum.com.au or our Facebook page.

image captions

A FOSA goal – creating a lasting legacy for many young visitors.

FOSA volunteers provide year-round ‘hands-on’ care.