Page 3912 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 15 Sept 2009
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Dr Boden studied forestry at the University of Sydney, and in 1963 he was awarded a Master of Science degree from the university for a research thesis examining how some species of eucalypts cope with waterlogged soil conditions. Later, his work on the ecological effects of changing rural land use patterns in the Canberra region resulted in him being awarded a Doctor of Philosophy from the Australian National University. Following this, he worked for the federal Department of the Interior. He then spent five years in India and Pakistan as a Colombo plan adviser working on reforestation.
Dr Boden was the founding director of the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and during his 10-year tenure in that position he added a conservation biology role to the existing functions of horticulture, education and botanical science. In addition to making the gardens a place of learning and research, he developed the gardens into a place that people could go to for relaxation and recreation. He improved access for the disabled and had boardwalks installed, established the cafe and the rainforest gully, started the public concerts and promoted the gardens as a place for locals and visitors alike.
For many years, the Australian National Botanic Gardens were the only botanic gardens dedicated to growing Australian native plants. They now represent the world’s largest living collection of Australian native plants and are of great international scientific significance.
Dr Boden indicated some time ago that the most significant administrative event for the future of the gardens was that they became a national rather than territorial responsibility when self-government was introduced. Among other things, this enabled the federal government to prefix the name of the gardens with the word “Australian”, which gave the gardens recognition internationally.
From 1998 to 2004, Dr Boden served as a council member for the National Trust of Australia, and was the first deputy chairman of the ACT Flora and Fauna Committee. In 2007, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to horticulture, particularly through his contributions to the development of the Australian National Botanic Gardens and to the preservation of the natural environment.
There have been a number of suggestions with regard to the naming of a major park in Dr Boden’s honour as a tribute to his legacy. However, perhaps a more fitting tribute would be to reinvigorate the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which in recent times have been lacking the level of federal government funding necessary for ongoing maintenance and research into Australian flora.
One travel website lists the Australian National Botanic Gardens as “a beautiful relaxing place to spend a few hours or a whole day”. While not knowing Dr Boden personally, it is widely acknowledged that he had a lot to do with making the gardens the wonderful place they are today, and perhaps that is the most fitting tribute of all. Once again, on behalf of the Greens, I extend my deepest sympathy to Dr Boden’s wife, Susan Parsons, his family and loved ones.
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