history time line of the gardens

before 1788
The local Aboriginal inhabitants, the Cadigal, used the tidal area along Woccanmagullyfor an initiation ground..
Early 1788
The Sydney Domain was set aside by Governor Phillip
April 1816
Charles Fraser arrives in the colony.
December 1816
Alan Cunningham arrives in the colony and appointed King’s Botanist.
c. 1816-1818
Wishing Tree planted where the Wollemi Pine now grows. It was removed in 1945 when unsafe.
1817
Francis Greenway’s Government Stables, now Conservatorium of Music, was started.
March 1817
Charles Fraser described as Colonial Botanist.
1817-1831
Charles Fraser, Colonial Botanist and Superintendent
March 1819
Fraser asks for botanical books to be sent from England, including Brown’s Prodromus. By 1820 Fraser had created a ‘botanic garden’, quite separate to the Governor’s kitchen garden nearby. January 1821
Fraser's duties includes being Superintendent of the Botanic Garden.
13 September 1831
Domain is opened for ‘carriages’, and effectively ‘open to the general public’.
Dec 1831
Fraser dies, aged 43.
Jan 1832-Dec 1832
John McLean acting Superintendent of Botanic Gardens.
1833-1837
Richard Cunningham, Colonial Botanist and Superintendent
1833
Richard Cunningham appointed Colonial Botanist and Superintendent
Allan Cunningham offered advice and oversaw Richard’s work.
April 1835
Richard Cunningham clubbed to death on the Bogan River in western NSW on Major Thomas Mitchell's expedition.
1837
Cunningham in poor health and died soon after returning from a collecting trip to New Zealand.
1847
Fig Tree Avenue planted.
1848-1896
Charles Moore, Director
Appointed when 27 years old, by Committee of Management, Director for 48 years
Introduced more regulations to keep out ‘all persons of reputed bad character …persons who are not cleanly and decently dressed … and all young persons not accompanied by some respectable adult’
1848
Directed the 11th Regiment Band to play in the Domain rather than the Gardens, as being more appropriate
1851
Started to deliver lectures on plants
1855
Moore brings in soil from Rose Bay to improve the garden for Azalea and Rhododendron
1856
First aviary opened in the Botanic Gardens, and this lasted until 1940. Other caged animals began to be introduced from 1862, to create Sydney's first zoo. The zoo lasted until 1883.
1857
Catalogue of plants in the Botanic Gardens produced in response to a recommendation in the management review of 1855: 3000 species of flowering plants and ferns (740 from NSW, 110 from Australia elsewhere, 1860 from overseas and 230 horticultural hybrids)
1870s
Moore replenishes trees in the Domain, especially planting figs - his signature tree.
1896
Moore dies
1896-1924
Joseph H. Maiden, Director
1924-1933
George Percy Darnell-Smith, Director
October 1933
Darnell-Smith retires
1933-1945
Administration split - Gardens administered by Ward, followed by Hawkey, Herbarium administered by Cheel, followed by Anderson
June 1970
Mair retires after seven years as Director
Johnson acting Director until October 1970
1988
Rose Garden opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1990
Tropical Centre opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1993
Fernery opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1994
Herb Garden opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1997
HSBC Oriental Garden opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1998
Rare and Threatened Plants Garden opens in Royal Botanic Gardens
1999
Cadi Jam Ora: First Encounters Garden opens
18 February 2004
Appointed Executive Director
Specialist in freshwater algae
2006
Palace Rose Garden in Royal Botanic Gardens opens
2007
Appointed Government Botanist


http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_bgt/royal_botanic_gardens/history