“The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible: The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don’t want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don’t have a soul.”
– Thomas More
FIJI such as countries in other parts of the world has quite a number of unique historical landmarks and national heritage sites.
One of them is the Thurston Gardens in Suva, which is located next to some of the other historical landmarks in Fiji such as the State House, the newly-refurbished Albert Park and the Grand Pacific Hotel.
Formerly known as the Suva Botanical Gardens, it was first established in 1881 by the Colonial Secretary Sir John Bates Thurston who later became the fifth governor of Fiji from February 1888 to March 1897.
It was during his time as governor that Mr Thurston requested then director of Forests and Botanical Gardens in Mauritius John Horne to visit and to make recommendations on the development of the garden.
According to the Fiji Museum, the garden was later moved from Waimanu Rd to its current location sometime in 1913 and was eventually renamed Thurston Gardens in 1976.
One could breathe in the scent of flowers mixed with the salty breeze of the sea but this seemingly quiet place where one could savour the peace and tranquility of its beautiful surroundings and embrace a legacy of colonial times and areas that display the native flora has a dark history behind it.
A history of blood and violence.
The garden sits at the original Suva Town site.
In 1843, a tribal dispute resulted in the town being razed and the inhabitants were killed and eaten by the people of Rewa.
Much has changed since then, now the once bloodstained patch of earth has become a location of peace and relaxation for families, tourists and locals alike.
National Trust of Fiji chairman Robin Yarrow once said many of Fiji’s people who live in ever expanding urban areas tend to overlook the fact that nature supports and sustains all life.
“A botanic garden, which is representative of Fiji’s rich plant biodiversity, will help to educate our young citizens and at the same time remind our adults of this reality while also serving as a peaceful green haven, both for residents of Suva as well as for visitors to the capital to enjoy, appreciate and relax within,” Mr Yarrow said.
“Thurston Gardens has so much history and will also serve to add value and interest.”
While Thurston Gardens are today surrounded by buildings with more modern architecture, it has still retained its colonial charm thanks to structures such as the clock tower and the bandstand constructed in memory of the first Suva mayor Gabriel Jacob Marks.
The two structures were both presented by the Marks family and were officially opened in 1918.
They are now commonly used as ideals venue for social functions.
According to an article released by the Fiji Museum titled “Thurston Garden” it stated the collection of plants increased over the years.
In 1949, the garden’s collection of plants consisted of 20 types of ornamental and timber trees, 17 types of palms, various trees and shrubs, grasses, orchids and ferns.
And soon the gardens will undergo a much-needed redevelopment phase.
Fiji Museum director Adi Meretui Ratunabuabua said the works would begin sometime this year starting with the drainage of the garden.
“To get the drainage flowing properly and once we get the drainage sorted out we would start putting in all these endemic fruits and plants,” Ms Ratunabuabua said.
She said they had progressive plans to beautify the garden for the enjoyment of tourists and members of the local public.
“We will have a wall garden sort of thing, new gates and there would be custom-made garden furniture as well.
“In the museum we are trying to be more creative, so we will be more creative with the garden as well because we are trying to promote creativity in order to bring these places back to life.”
Ms Ratunabuabua said work would begin as soon as funds were approved and given by the Government.
And the planned redevelopment has been met with approval by conservationists.
Environmental Consultants Fiji Ltd principal and founder Dr Dick Watling said Thurston Gardens had been an inspiration and a refuge of serenity for the citizens of Suva for over a century but had fallen on hard times lately.
“In an age when our youth are becoming rapidly more disengaged from the natural environment and when we sense the imminent collapse of entire eco-systems also our list of threatened plant species here in Fiji mounts at an increasing rate, the presence of a revitalised Thurston Gardens is more important than ever,” Mr Watling said in a statement.