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The Friends of Government House Gardens Society

The Gardens of the British Columbia Government House

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Board of Directors

Contact by e-mail at:  Friends@fghgs.ca

President:                    Patty Grant
Past President:            Ann Wilson
Vice-President:            Elspeth Westby
Treasurer:                    Sandra Fraser
Secretary:                    Barb Petersen
Membership Co-ordinator:  Victoria Craig

Directors: 
     Gardening:  Brian Rogers
     Non-Gardening: Shelia Connelly
These directors are the liaison between the co-ordinators and the Board. 

Directors at Large:   Linda Edwards, Nancy Hughes, Nelles Shackleton,
and Patti Shaughnessy

Advisors to the Board: Nairn Hollott, Valerie Murray 

The 2023 Board of Directors 

An AGM moment enjoyed by Patti Shaughnessy, seen here celebrating in the far right. Back row Brian Rogers, Valerie Murray, Sheila Connolly, Sandra Fraser, Nelles Shackleton, Barb Petersen, Nairn Hollott, and Patti.  Seated, front row, Elspeth Westby and Patty Grant. (Missing Nancy Hughes and Linda Edwards.) 


 

 

We strive to improve, preserve, and enhance Government House natural areas and gardens.  We encourage British Columbia’s residents to actively participate in developing and maintaining the grounds for their continued public use, education, and enjoyment.

Who We Are 

  • Almost 300 members volunteer in gardening and non-gardening activities.
    • Gardening volunteers work from March to October (depending on the weather, volunteers may work year-round).
    • Non-gardening volunteers work year-round or, in the case of seasonal activities, from late May until Labour Day
  • We are a registered, but not charitable, society. The Society is not managed for profit or gain and receives no government funding.
  • The Society’s operating revenue is raised from donations, memberships, and sales of organic vegetables (members-only), plants, floral arrangements, and garden tours. 
  • These proceeds, in addition to the revenue from the David and Dorothy Lam Garden Sustainability Fund, are dedicated to garden maintenance, as well as the purchase of plants, soil, compost, fertilizer, and tools

What We Do

  • We supply the major tools needed to work in the gardens. Volunteers bring their own small hand tools and gloves. 
  • Each group maintains a different area of the grounds. We usually work in the gardens either, or both, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from March to October. However, depending on the garden area, and the weather, we may work year round. 
  • Non-garden volunteers work mainly from May to September as greeters, in the tea room, and costume museum. As well, volunteers staff the Friends or Government House archives, both garden and in-House floral design, and the library. 
  • Expert gardening experience is not required. We are happy to welcome anyone who would like to work with us. Most volunteers join in the spring (when we hold an orientation), but may start at any time of the year.       
  • You are welcome to volunteer for Friends’ activities, but you are not required to do so to become a member.

 

 

 

 

Primary Sidebar


The Nursery is now open and has well-rooted perennials for sale from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Please note that debit/credit cards only
will be accepted for payment.


Garden Tours
at Government House
Learn More!


Join the Friends

Join our more than 150 enthusiastic volunteers on Tuesday or Thursday as they enjoy the benefits of nurturing our beautiful gardens and making new friends.  No experience required.
Learn More


Donate

Every dollar raised helps maintain and
improve the gardens.
Learn More


 

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