The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens. Chic is the daughter of Ernie Anderson who worked at the Gardens from the age of 15 until he retired at 65. Ernie’s full name was Ernest Rupert Cyril Anderson. Chic verified from her Mother’s bible that her Father was born 19th June 1895. The Anderson family moved into the Curator’s Lodge in the grounds of the Gardens in 1938 following the death of the previous Curator, William Joseph Crowe. CD and transcript of interview with Chic Wyatt (nee Anderson) and her memories of the Gardens from her childhood through to adulthood. The purpose of the interview is to discuss a collection of photos she lent to the Gardens for copying (registration no. 2013.001) and to recall memories of her Father, Ernie Anderson and of living in the grounds.chic anderson, chic wyatt, anderson, fish pond, ornamental lake, gates, curator, horse, army camp, americans, world war 2, cannons, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council, william joseph crowe

The interview is one of a series recorded in 2013-2014 to document memories and experiences of the Williamstown Botanic GardensA primary source of information on memories of the Gardens and witness to changes in the Gardens over those years. CD and transcript of interview with Shelley Wood. Shelley was born in Williamstown, as was her mother Margaret McLean. Shelley recalls her mother telling her about spending many hours in the Gardens when she was young with her friend Chic, who was the daughter of the Curator Ernie Anderson. Shelley, who was the first female gardener appointed in the western region, served her apprenticeship at Gardens and is currently the Curator. shelley wood, margaret mclean, tom wood, chic anderson, ernie anderson, 1979, apprentice, fish pond, pinetum, barry heath, golden elm, palms, brian turner, dean splatt, robert anderson, 1988, bicentennial funding, 1987, angela altair, helen page, mary klestadt, mike hirst, john hawker, landscape advisory group, williamstown technical school, gates, buffalo lawn, ian brown, storytime, adam lindsay gordon, statue, archie matthews, aviary, williamstown botanic gardens, hobsons bay city council

Ernest Anderson (head gardener) and Harry (gardener) worked at Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The Anderson family lived in the curators lodge on the grounds in the 1930s. Horses were used at the gardens until the 1960s when the council bought a truck. Mr Biggs drove as Mr Anderson did not have a licence. He rode his bike to the Town Hall every Friday to put in the time sheets. The collection is the only known photos of the Gardens working horses and demonstrates Edwardian Municipal gardening techniques that continued into the 1960s. They are photographic evidence of the planting styles, species choices and structures. Details inscribed on the reverse of some of the photos confirm names of staff at this time. Photo 13 (m) m: Only known photo of Ernest Anderson to be held by the Gardens2013.001.a-l is a collection of 12 small format photographs from the Anderson family album dated from 1917-1936 plus one large image of donor's wedding c1953. Ernest Anderson (head gardener) and Harry (gardener) worked at Williamstown Botanic Gardens. The Anderson family lived in the curators lodge on the grounds in the 1930s. Photo 1 (a) Sepia photo of young girl (Chic Anderson) on horse with no saddle. Two men, with hands on hips, standing alongside wearing hats. All are on a small hill (a compost heap) with a shrub on the left of the image. Photo 2 (b) Young girl and horse standing on the top of a small hill (compost heap). Girl has short hair and is wearing a jumper, skirt and long socks. Horse has no saddle and has its head down as if to eat. Photo 3 (c) Horse and foal standing in a fenced enclosure. Part of yard is paved. Horse has a white blaze and white feet. Foal has white blaze and white legs and is looking up at the horse. Photo 4 (d) Horse pulling a mower. Two men standing with mower. One is holding mower, the other the reins of the horse. Both men are wearing hats, with one wearing a vest. Horse has hessian wrapping on his hooves. Photo 5 (e) Horse and man. Horse has a rope bridle. Man holding bridle and is dressed in trousers, shirt, cardigan and hat. They are in front of a hedge and closed timber gate. Tall palm is in background. Horse is side on to the camera. Photo 6 (f) Man and horse standing in front of hedge and open timber gate. Palms in background. Man wearing trousers, shirt, vest, tie, hat. Trousers look to be tucked into boots. He is looking at the horse. The horse is facing the camera. Photo 7 (g) Three horses looking over a picket fence. All with a white blaze. There is a timber wall with a window to the right of the photograph. A man’s arm holding something is seen on the right of the photo. Photo 8 (h) Large palm tree, understorey of shrubs with two palms in the background. Photo 9 (i) Scene of the Gardens. Path dividing at a conifer tree. Woman in long skirt and hat looking up at the conifer. Different varieties of palm trees with understorey of shrubs. Photo 10 (j) Garden bed of Dahlias surrounded by a wire fence. Palms and other trees in background. Photo 11 (k) Avenue of tall palm trees with under storey of shrubs. Photo has angles cut at top corners and two large crease marks at the bottom right hand corner. Photo 12 (l) Set of cast iron gates – double carriage gates with single pedestrian gates on either side and supported by four cast iron posts with ornamental finials on top. Photo 13 (m) Ernest Anderson and daughter Chic prior to her wedding. Ernest is holding his gloves in his left hand and Chic’s hand with his right. Palms trees in the background. Photo 1 (a) 'Ern & Harry / May 8th 1936' Photo 2 (b) ‘Jack aged 36 / Chic 5 years / (unclear) 1936’ Photo 3 (c) ‘foal born in / back shed’ Photo 4 (d) ‘The Olde Firm / Jack Ernie Harry / 1917’ Photo 6 (f ) ‘Before the / council provided / a truck all / work was done / with the horses’ Photo 7 (g) ‘our work horses’ Photo 9 (i) ‘Panoramic view of Gardens / looking South from Lodge / Wms Town Botanical Gardens / 15-10-17’ Photo 12 (l) ‘Gates Public Gardens’hobsons-bay-city-council, curator, lodge, horse, transport, dahlia, compost, anderson, williamstown, botanic, gardens, williamstown-botanic-gardens, hobsons-bay, hobsons, edwardian, gardening, 1936, 1917,