{"id":3370,"date":"2023-09-15T14:31:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T05:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mtloftyhistoricalsociety.org.au\/?page_id=3370"},"modified":"2023-09-15T14:31:02","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T05:01:02","slug":"noel-lothian-director-of-adelaide-botanic-gardens-1948-to-1981","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mtloftyhistoricalsociety.org.au\/?page_id=3370","title":{"rendered":"Noel Lothian – Director of Adelaide Botanic Gardens 1948 to 1981"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Text:\u00a0Dr Ann Herraman, President, Mt Lofty Districts Historical Society Inc.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Images: Wikipedia<\/em>, SouthAustralia.com<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, O.B.E; (N.Z); F.R.A. I.P.R; JP<\/strong> <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the MLDHS Collections \u2013 September 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, O.B.E; (N.Z); F.R.A. I.P.R; JP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director Adelaide Botanic Gardens \u2013 1948 \u2013 1981<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Born, Mont Albert, Victoria, 25th<\/sup> December 1915<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Died, Townsville Queensland, 24th<\/sup> September 2004<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, was born on Christmas Day 1915. On completion of secondary education at Scotch College Melbourne, Noel Lothian embarked on horticultural training through local and international institutions. Broad -ranging skills framed his appointment as Director of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens – a position which he held with distinction for 33 years, (1948-1980)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On his retirement Lothian reflected upon his first presentation to the ABG Board on June 24th<\/sup> 1948, defined as \u2026 \u201cRecommendations to the Board of the Re-establishment of the Gardens on an international basis.\u201d <\/em>Recognising the achievements of his predecessors (Francis & Schomburgk) and the negative impacts of the depression and recent war, Lothian outlined the actions and commitments required to return the gardens to local and international acclaim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selection and training of quality staff including international experience was a primary concern. \u00a0Infrastructure restorations included the glass houses, the Palm House and beyond the formal garden, urgent redevelopment of the Botanic Park. \u00a0He envisaged an internationally engaged Herbarium<\/em> in association with the refurbished Museum of Botany to strengthen global links. Lothian\u2019s scope was comprehensive and ambitious including a cool climate Botanic Garden at Mount Lofty.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mt Lofty Botanic Garden<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

 On 16th<\/sup> May 1981 Lothian ticked off each category outlined in his inaugural presentation with the observation that \u2018\u2026all the above items under completion or under consideration by 1977.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this was only part of the story. Lothian\u2019s influences extended beyond the gates of the ABG.  Advocate to all levels of government, participant in International organisation, author of scientific papers and books for the general public, supporter of Flower Shows and competitions and public broadcasts connected Lothian to enthusiastic home gardeners of which he was one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lothian\u2019s successor, Dr Brian Morley, a vigorous and visionary Director, advanced Lothian\u2019s aims and made new opportunities.  The Museum of Economic Botany was completed. Yarrabee House was refurbished. Former Tramways buildings rehoused the Herbarium and administration. The stylish Bicentennial Conservatory embraced a tropical zone.  In the cool climate \u2018Hill Station\u201d environments where Lothian lived and planted his favourite bulbs and alpine plants, support was given to heritage collections and completion of the acclaimed Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 In 2005 the dedication of the Noel Lothian Hall beside the new wetlands, recognised Lothian\u2019s local and international contribution to the botanical world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

References<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lothians studies began at Burnley School of Primary Agriculture and Horticulture, Fitzroy Gardens within Melbourne Parks & Recreation followed by Christchurch  Gardens (N.Z), the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew  and the Munich Botanical Gardens. Lothian enlisted in the A.I.F. where his horticultural skills supported the Farm Food Supply chain in New Guinea. :Lothian Papers and Collected Papers of Dr Brian Morley,  Mount Lofty Districts Historical Society, Coventry Library, Stirling<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pauline Payne, Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens; p.377<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Jones, Dr Brian Derek Morley, The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens.; p.417<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have memories of Noel Lothian, the Botanic Gardens or related themes? Contact us at mldhsgateways@mtloftyhistoricalsociety.org.au<\/a> or drop into the History Centre at the Coventry Library, 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Text:\u00a0Dr Ann Herraman, President, Mt Lofty Districts Historical Society Inc. Images: Wikipedia, SouthAustralia.com From the MLDHS Collections \u2013 September 2023 Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, O.B.E; (N.Z); F.R.A. I.P.R; JP Director Adelaide Botanic Gardens \u2013 1948 \u2013 1981 Born, Mont Albert, Victoria, 25th December 1915 Died, Townsville Queensland, 24th September 2004 Thomas Robert Noel Lothian, was … Continue reading “Noel Lothian – Director of Adelaide Botanic Gardens 1948 to 1981”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"spay_email":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/PaNLq6-Sm","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1278,"url":"https:\/\/mtloftyhistoricalsociety.org.au\/?page_id=1278","url_meta":{"origin":3370,"position":0},"title":"Mount Lofty Botanic Garden","date":"August 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Summit Road\/Top Gate. 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