Passionate Advocate for Plants and Public Gardens Is Moving On

Highly esteemed Director and Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Professor Tim Entwisle, has announced he is leaving the Gardens in July 2023.

After ten years at the helm, Tim wants to pursue other interests – such as writing and speaking, and perhaps new civic roles – as well as spending more time with his wife and family, including their five-year-old grandson in Sydney.

Royal Botanic Garden Board Chairperson, Chris Trotman, applauded Tim’s significant achievements over the past decade, including the many improvements at both Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens which have resulted in increased visitor numbers.

“Most recently, Tim successfully led the team through the restrictive challenges of COVID-19, when our gardens played such an important role in the physical and mental wellbeing of Victorians,” says Chris.

When Tim returned to the Gardens in 2013 (he began his working career there as a botanist in the 1990s), he wanted “to make the Botanic Gardens an essential part of Melbourne’s cultural life – an international cultural attraction while leading in science-based conservation”.

Today Tim reflects: “We’ve done all that, and more. I couldn’t be prouder of the staff, volunteers, honorary associates, and Friends of this wonderful organisation. Under the guidance of our Board and the Victorian Government – particularly Minister D’Ambrosio – and with support from donors and our own Foundation, we have achieved great things.”