The Elliot Centre was the administration block of Cranbourne Gardens before the new administration office was opened by the Victorian Govenor, the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC as the "Elliot Centre" on Sunday 1st February 2015. His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria, officially opened the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne's new facilities yesterday. The Governor unveiled a plaque before embarking on a tour of the Australian Garden with Richard Clarke, President of the Friends; Prof. Tim Entwisle, Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens; Ken Harrison, Chairman of the Royal Botanic Gardens Board Victoria; and a number of donors and supporters. The new facilities include The Elliot Centre, an administration and operations hub for the Friends' special interest groups, and the Growing Friends Nursery. The Elliot Centre is named after Rodger Elliot AM and Gwen Elliot AM, pioneers in the cultivation of Australian plants and long-time supporters of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne. It includes an office, library, meeting room, and a kitchen as well as space for a range of Friends' activity groups. The new Growing Friends Nursery includes an undercover potting shed, kitchenette, propagation tunnel, and plant benching area. The nursery is fully enclosed to protect plants from prevailing winds, birds, and possums. The irrigation system is connected to the Gardens' central system, including the automated weather station, which allows for efficient water management practices. Purpose-built for the Growing Friends, the area is designed to incorporate the highest standards of nursery hygiene practices. Professor Entwisle congratulated the Friends on the official opening of their new facilities. "The Friends are an extraordinarily dedicated and knowledgeable group of people who are highly respected by staff and visitors alike," he explains. "They make an invaluable contribution to the life of the Gardens and it was my honour to be present as we celebrated yet another milestone at Cranbourne Gardens." "With these new facilities, the Friends continue to build on their already wonderful reputation" he said.

Open House

The Elliot Centre hosts "Open House" approximately from 2:00pm to 4:00pm every second Thursday of the Month.

A program of discussion groups or short talks, including travelogues has loosely been arranged.

Access to the Library is also available during this time.