Flora at 90: A life rooted in science and guided by passion

Born in Melbourne in the same year a new Wishing Tree was planted in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Flora Deverall’s connection to the natural world was poetic from the start. 

From Sunbury to Sydney, here is the story of how Flora became a botanical trailblazer. 

Named after her grandmother and raised in the pastoral surrounds of Sunbury, Flora’s journey into science began with a degree in biology from Melbourne University, followed by a groundbreaking role at CSIRO studying timber and fungi.

But the lure of adventure called and Flora joined a friend on a European tour that evolved into a career move, landing her at Imperial College London. There, she combined mycology research with postgrad studies in botany where she met her husband Brian. 

Their shared academic journey led them across continents, with Flora continuing her scientific work in London and Wisconsin, all while raising a growing family.

In 1973, Flora and her husband Brian settled in Sydney, where Flora balanced university teaching, motherhood, and soon enough something that would become one of the most enduring chapters of her life: volunteering at the Botanic Gardens.

In 1978, Flora attended a talk by Don Blaxell, then Director of Living Collections at the Royal Botanic Garden. He spoke of a vision for the Gardens and the need for passionate Volunteer Guides. A seed was planted.

By 1981, as university funding was cut and Flora’s academic hours were reduced, a seed germinated. With her deep scientific knowledge and natural communication skills, Flora became the sixth Volunteer Guide in the Botanic Gardens program’s history. It was a perfect fit.

Since then, Flora has dedicated 44 years to the Garden’s Volunteer Guide Program where she has designed themed walks such as All the World is Grass, Roots, and Discovering the Domain. 

Flora has also mentored countless new guides and generously shared her expertise with thousands of visitors. She even helped establish the Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens whilst she continued teaching at the University of Sydney until 2018.

“I love seeing new faces join the Volunteer Guide team to help continue the Botanic Gardens legacy of inspiring a whole new generation of botanists and plant lovers"

-Flora Deverall 

 

Flora’s influence extends well beyond the Garden gates. She has delivered talks and led botanical walks for a range of community organisations, including the Garden History Society, WEA, and the international Road Scholar program. 

Her ability to bring science to life and make botany accessible has earned her wide respect. In 2023, she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, just like her previous university student and now colleague Chief Botanist, Professor Brett Summerell. 

Previous Curator Manager Ian Innes captured it best:

“Flora is a great communicator who generously shares her extraordinary knowledge and understanding of the living and herbarium collections with warmth and insight. This honour is a tribute to Flora’s great dedication to making plant sciences accessible to a general audience.”

 

Now at 90, Flora is still guiding, inspiring, and very much a part of the life in the Gardens where she continues to deliver walks, teach and strengthen the future generations love for plants and conservation.