Friedensruh Homestead - A Beautiful Garden
A Photo Story by Elizabeth Seward of the Gardens
Friedensruh historical homestead at Doncaster was built in 1853 by Doncaster pioneer fruit-grower Johann Gottlieb Thiele and has been designated as being of local and State significance. A feature of the homestead is the old world cottage garden that includes heirloom rose beds and a beautiful cedar tree gifted by Thiele family friend and Royal Botanic Gardens' director, Baron von Mueller. Until the sale of the homestead in 2022, the garden had for many many years been lovingly cared for by 4th generation descendants Paul and Edna Collyer, the owners of Friedensruh and by Paul’s brother Eric Collyer, a foundation member of the Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society.To capture the beauty of the garden and of the work Eric put into the garden, Doncaster Templestowe Historical Society member Elizabeth Seward has made a movie using photographs she had taken of the garden and all set to music by classical composers. Elizabeth writes in the introduction to the movie:
Going through some of my photographs recently, I just wanted to share with family and friends some photos that you may or may not have seen of Eric’s pride and joy, the garden of “Friedensruh”.
The photos show how Eric used the same garden beds with the planting of different seedlings each year. Thus presenting a great display of colour, with the backdrop of Ruffey Lake park to the north of the property.
During the Summer of 2021/22, one of Eric's highlights was seeing the “Flame Tree” come into flower for the first time.
Sadly Eric passed away in January 2025. The movie can be seen as a tribute to the care and love that Eric had for the gardens of Friedensruh.
Photo story by Elizabeth Seward”
Movie provided by Elizabeth Seward - November 2025
Going through some of my photographs recently, I just wanted to share with family and friends some photos that you may or may not have seen of Eric’s pride and joy, the garden of “Friedensruh”.
The photos show how Eric used the same garden beds with the planting of different seedlings each year. Thus presenting a great display of colour, with the backdrop of Ruffey Lake park to the north of the property.
During the Summer of 2021/22, one of Eric's highlights was seeing the “Flame Tree” come into flower for the first time.
Sadly Eric passed away in January 2025. The movie can be seen as a tribute to the care and love that Eric had for the gardens of Friedensruh.
Photo story by Elizabeth Seward”
Movie provided by Elizabeth Seward - November 2025
Duration: 22min 25sec
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