HEAD FOR THE HILLS | Mt Macedon meets the Raj with Stephen Ryan

Stephen Ryan will talk about the lifestyle of the rich and famous who were attracted to and established themselves in the higher altitudes of Mt Macedon, as they emulated their British counterparts in the Indian subcontinent in the 1800's. He will discuss the inspiration to create expansive colonial ‘hill station’ style gardens surrounding their homes. He will also look at the phenomenon that inspired these places of leisure and retreat from the blistering heat of long Victorian summers.

STEPHEN RYAN, horticulturalist, author and broadcaster, started working in his father's nursery, Dicksonia Rare Plants, at the age of ten and at the same time joined the Mt Macedon Horticultural Society. He has been a passionate plant collector ever since. Stephen is best known for his role as host on ABC Television's Gardening Australia. He lectures and holds seminars both nationally and internationally. As a plant hunter and traveller, he has travelled to many places in the world as varied as Namibia, India, Oregon, England, Ireland, South Africa, Peru, Argentina, New Guinea and France.

Duneira, Mt Macedon photograph by Kim Selby | courtesy of Duneira