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Grounds and Gardens

The Dromkeen gardens are an integral part of the Dromkeen experience. The gardens themselves, a charming blend of Australian native and European plants are home to a number of peacocks.

Children's literature comes alive through bronze garden sculptures, and the gazebo provides a welcome resting place following a walk around the Heritage Trail.

Grounds and Gardens

Bronze Sculptures

		The Key Designed by: Robert Ingpen Cast: Meridian Foundry The first sculpture to be installed, Robert envisaged the key to be symbolic of Dromkeen opening the door to the magical world of children's literature.
		Possum Magic Author: Mem Fox Illustrator: Julie Vivas Sculptor: Silvio Apponyi
		The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek Author: Jenny Wagner Illustrator/Sculptor: Ron Brooks Cast: Meridian Foundry
		Mr Lizard and Gumnut Baby Author/Illustrator: May Gibbs Sculptor: Smiley Williams Cast: Meridian Foundry
		The Man from Ironbark Author: A B ('Banjo') Paterson Illustrator: Quentin Hole Sculptor: Tessa Wallis Cast: Coates and Wood

Memorial Sculpture

Joyce and Court Oldmeadow

A stunning addition to the bronze garden sculptures was unveiled at the Dromkeen Dinner on Saturday 15th March 2003.

The memorial plaque reads:

Visitors will be captivated by characters from Australian Children’s stories including Koala Lou, Wombat Divine, Shy the Platypus and the inspiring dragon representing the children’s Dromkeen Dragons club.

Do visit and do touch!

Gazebo

The period Gazebo was installed to commemorate the work of Michael Sinclair, inaugural chairman of the Board of Governors.

Heritage Trail

The Dromkeen Heritage Trail is made up of a series of fourteen picture boards, each featuring a children's picture book illustration. The trail meanders through the gardens of the Dromkeen Homestead.

The picture boards, created by Gisborne Signs, highlight not only Australia's history but also diverse artwork from books by Roland Harvey, John Nicholson, Desmond Digby, Robert Roennfeldt, Rachel Tonkin, Arone Raymond Meeks, Jimmy Pike, Carolyn Windy, Bronwyn Bancroft, Sally Rippin, Lindsay Muir, Peter Gouldthorpe, Steven Woolman, Patricia Mullins and Shaun Tan.

The works cover a wide variety of subjects and a range of materials and techniques used in the original illustrations. They depict indigenous stories, Australian discovery and exploration, significant historical events, multiculturalism and environmental issues. The materials and techniques used in the illustrations include watercolour, pen and ink, collage, linocut and three-dimensional clay sculpture.

Grounds and Gardens

Bronze Sculptures

The Key

Possum Magic

The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek

Mr Lizard and Gumnut Baby

The Man from Ironbark

Memorial Sculpture

Joyce and Court Oldmeadow

Gazebo

Heritage Trail