The Don Beer Memorial Fund

Friends Council have recently resolved to establish the Don Beer Memorial Fund as part of our Public Fund. The Fund will finance a series of scholarships for the study of, and research into, Australian native plants. Administration of the fund will operate alongside the ANBG Scholarship Programme. The Memorial Fund has been made possible by an extremely generous commitment of $25,000 from Ella Beer. The Fund also welcomes donations from Friends members and the general public, all of which are tax deductible under the Friends Public Fund.

Don had a life-long interest in, and love of, nature. When he moved from Armidale in northern NSW to Canberra in 2004, he was delighted to learn of the opportunity to volunteer at the Gardens. He signed up straight away and over many years, he made many good friends through his involvement with the Guides and the Friends.

In his professional life, Don was a historian. He found the Gardens so impressive that he was inspired to research the establishment and development of the Gardens. Several years of research culminated in the 2020 publication of Don’s book, Miracle on Black Mountain - A History of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.

Don passed away on 4 January 2022. He had served as a Friends Council Member, a Guide and as Convenor of the Gardens’ Volunteer Guides for a number of years.