Since 1987 the Friends have assisted Council with the care of Victoria Gardens. A Conservation Plan and Master Plan for Victoria Gardens (1989), commissioned by Council has been completed, the four damaged vases were recast in bronze and a new fountain was erected on the site of the original and opened on 16 July 1989. On the 8th July 1990, a bronze copy of the Statue of Victory was unveiled. The original is located in the courtyard of the Prahran Town Hall.

Between 1989-90 the nursery and brick toilet beneath the English Oak were removed and the north west shrubbery planted. A circular parterre was designed in 1990 and planted the following year. The design is based on the rose garden shown on Sangster’s 1885 plan.

In 1993, the Friends funded the construction of a circular seat around the magnificent weeping elm. With support from the Friends and funding from the Stonnington City Council “Community Grants Program 1998-99”, four seats were placed in the northern section of the Gardens in 1999. In July 2001, Council placed new seats around the oval and an asphalt path was constructed to replace the damaged path and a gravel path east of the oval. On the 18th July 2006 the restored High Street gates were re-opened. The Friends contributed $5,000 towards this project.

We have liaised with Stonnington Council on important projects including the 2014 upgrade of the RSL Memorial site and the installation of the Interpretive Sign at the High Street entrance which outlines the history, landscape plan and trees in the gardens.

In 2015 we established the Annual Garden Inspection Walk (held in May) with Stonnington Council staff and the Friends of Victoria Gardens. This has forged a good working relationship between Council and the Friends, enabling us to provide positive feedback to the Council staff who manage the Gardens as well as providing an opportunity to raise issues of concern.

We participated in the annual Spring into Gardening event held in Victoria Gardens in October until its cessation in 2019.

The Friends successfully lobbied Council to bring forward the upgrade date of the adjoining Lumley Playground and actively participated in the community consultation between the architect and Council resulting in the redesign of the whole area, including up to date play equipment, seating, landscaping and planning. This was opened on the 17th September in 2020.

A pilot volunteer gardening group commenced for several months in 2018 but was not formally recommenced until November 2024.

(LINK Victoria Gardens Volunteers)

It is hoped that through the efforts of the Friends of Victoria Gardens and Stonnington Council, Victoria Gardens can be restored to its former glory and continue to be valued by the community. If you care about Victoria Gardens, please consider becoming a FRIEND.

(Link Membership)