In 1929 J.J. Simons established a holiday camp for the Young Australia League (YAL), on 60 hectares (150 acres) of deep shaded valley at Roleystone. Creeks running through the long valley created a cool moist climate, thus making it an ideal site for his dream garden. Simons called his valley, “Araluen”, an Eastern States aboriginal word meaning “singing waters”, “running waters” or “place of lilies”.
League members and volunteers created pathways, roads, steps and terraces. Structures were designed by leading Perth architect W.G. Bennett and built from local stone and timber.
In Spring, Araluen featured tulips planted on the terraces and in the Grove of the Unforgotten. It proved popular and the early gardens thrived in Araluen’s climate.
One of the many features still in existence today is “The Grove of the Unforgotten”, built in memory of 88 YAL members killed in the World War 1. A series of terraces descends a steep slope flanked by pencil pines formed in the shape of a lyre, the symbol of music. A waterfall cascades through the terraces and finishes in a reflection pond.
Changed circumstances saw the YAL sell Araluen in 1985. Encouraged by strong community support, the State Government purchased the Park in 1990. The Araluen Botanic Park Foundation (Inc.) became incorporated in July 1990 with the aim of working with the WA Planning Commission to restore the Park. Since 1995, the Foundation has managed the Park under lease from the Commission.
Much has been achieved in this time, particularly in the restoration of heritage structures, gardens, paths, steps and terraces, as well as in the completion of new capital works programs such as the new, passive green central lawn ‘heart’, the spectacularly attractive watercourse and the extra public facilities which replace the noisy, unsafe old bitumen carpark.
The Foundation continues to direct its efforts towards restoring the Park and its gardens and planning for the future. With the community’s invaluable support, Araluen is fast achieving its mission to become a Botanic Garden of Excellence.