Local landscape designer and environmental advocate, Bev Hanson, was celebrated at the launch of the book Bev Hanson – Very Warrandyte. The Warrandyte Mechanics Institute was “packed to the rafters” with locals and friends who have known Bev for the last half century, landscape designers who have worked with Bev and been influenced by her approach and family.
Melissa King, horticulturalist, author and presenter of Better Homes and Gardens, launched the book. Melissa, grew up in Warrandyte, and has known Bev Hanson since her childhood. In launching the book Melissa said that Bev is “a quiet achiever who has helped shape the Australian landscape and paved the way for other great women in horticulture”.
“Bev has always been a trailblazer, attending Burnley Horticultural College at a time when few women did. She learnt from the best, her early work with the great landscape architect Ellis Stones, evident in her clever placement of rocks – the way she embeds them into a landscape with naturalistic artistry, so that they look like they’ve always been there,” she said
The Warrandyte Community Association published the book. Bev was a founding member of the Association, and its predecessors, the Warrandyte Advisory Committee and the Warrandyte Environment League.
Association president, Terry Tovey, said “Bev is one of our living treasures and the publication of her story is long overdue.” “Bev’s unstinting and often unsung contribution to the preservation and enhancement of our town’s beautiful natural environment needs to be recorded, as does her work throughout greater Melbourne.”
The book includes incredible photos of Bev’s gardens and designs, taken by local photographer Stephen Reynolds. Locals wordsmith Jenny Brown wrote the text and Wayne Rankin, one of Australia’s most talented graphic artists created the design.
The book is available from our website https://www.warrandyte.org.au and will also be on sale at Bev’s Open Garden. Bev has a wonderful garden that she and husband John created over the last 50 years. It will be open on Sunday 9th November from 10am – 4:30pm. This is a very rare opportunity and should not be missed. You can book at www.Trybooking.com/DFFYS or just turn up on the day at 104 Webb Street, Warrandyte.
Above: A page from the book with Stephen Reynolds beautiful photos
Above: The production team. The people (standing) Stephen Reynolds, Dick Davies, Jenny Brown, Terry Tovey, Wayne Rankin and Jan Davies. Seated are Sam Cox and Bev Hanson.
Above: Melissa King and Bev Hanson
Above: Book Launch at the Mechanics Institute Warrandyte
Above: Terry Tovey, President of WCA with Melissa King and Bev Hanson