17th May | Melbourne Autumn Meet Up - WTHD - Therapeutic Horticulture Australia

17th May | Melbourne Autumn Meet Up – WTHD

Join us for our Melbourne Meet-Up on Sunday 17th May 2026 from 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Title: Conversations with Global Gardens of Peace

Join Therapeutic Horticulture Australia at our Autumn Meet Up in Melbourne, as we mark World Therapeutic Horticulture Day with a special event at the Australian Drylands, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

We’ll gather for a conversation with Andrew Laidlaw, President of Global Gardens of Peace and Landscape Architect at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, alongside Tanya Bearup, Vice President of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia.

Together, Andrew and Tanya will reflect on what World Therapeutic Horticulture Day means from both a global and local perspective, including the work of Global Gardens of Peace, the role of gardens in healing, connection and restoration, and the relationship between people, plants and place.

Please bring snacks to share, along with a rug or chair so you can settle in for an afternoon of connection, reflection and celebration of the growing impact of therapeutic horticulture & restorative garden spaces.

Description:

World Therapeutic Horticulture Day (WTHD), is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness of how plant-based activities improve mental and physical health. It highlights the work of practitioners and encourages communities to experience the healing power of nature through gardening, horticulture therapy, and nature-based sensory experiences.

Please register via Eventbrite

Registered participants will be notified of an alternate location in the event of inclement weather.

Bio: Andrew Laidlaw

Andrew is the President of Global Gardens for Peace; a charitable organisation that plans, design and deliver gardens to support vulnerable communities around the world. Andrew is is also the Head Landscape Architect at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne where he is responsible for the design and implementation of an extensive range of landscape projects. He completed the design and installation of The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden in 2004 which has won a number of awards including best new tourist attraction for Victoria and landscape of the year in 2005. In 2010 he completed The Guilfoyle’s Volcano Project which has won wide acclaim throughout the country for its innovative planting design.

Venue Link: https://globalgardensofpeace.org/

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/globalgardensofpeace/#

Bio: Tanya Bearup
Tanya Bearup is the Vice President of Therapeutic Horticulture Australia (THA) and a passionate advocate for the advancement of therapeutic horticulture practice in Australia.

She is also the founder of My Garden Space, a Melbourne-based social work and therapeutic gardening service. A qualified social worker and horticulturist, Tanya brings over 25 years’ experience across aged care, disability, mental health, youth and family services.

Tanya provides evidence-based therapeutic services through gardening and nature-based activities across the lifespan, including one-to-one and group work in community and health settings, private homes and schools.

Tanya regularly speaks and educates on the role of therapeutic horticulture in supporting wellbeing, participation and connection. She is also a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).