The stunning new 'Place of Reflection' was officially opened by the Premier, the Hon Colin Barnett, on Friday 15 April 2011 in the Western Australian Botanic Garden.
The concept for the Place of Reflection was developed by a Consortium including the following organisations:
- The Association for Services to Torture and Trauma Survivors (ASeTTS)
- Healing Hearts Foundation
- SIDS and Kids WA
- Soroptomist International of South Perth
- The Compassionate Friends.
The Consortium worked closely with the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, the Friends of Kings Park and Lotterywest and landscape architect David Smith from Plan E to create a unique landscape upgrade at the southern end of the Botanic Garden. The Place of Reflection was created to be a tranquil place of reflection that is both transformative and restorative; a landmark location where all people who have suffered loss or trauma can seek understanding, peace, healing, hope and renewal.
Located in the Roe Gardens within the State Botanic Garden, this striking landscape includes a new pavilion and contemplation platforms overlooking the gardens and bushland of the Mt Eliza Escarpment. Visitors can experience spectacular views of the Swan and Canning Rivers across to the hills of the Darling Scarp. The new pavilion is predominantly constructed from steel including decorative filigree screens with a copper finish. The screens also occur at the contemplation decks and include laser cut patterns of a Western Australian eucalypt. All decking and timber lining in the pavilion is constructed using seasoned jarrah, recycled from the recent demolition of Perry Lakes Stadium. The nearby Roe toilets have also been refurbished and include disabled access and facilities.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden is an important place of natural beauty and tranquillity in the midst of busy urban life, where people seek respite in its quiet places, share time and special events with family and friends or take the opportunity to reconnect with nature’s wonders on our doorstep. The Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority warmly welcomes the Place of Reflection as an elegant, accessible and inclusive community facility in the southern section of the world renowned Western Australian Botanic Garden, further adding to the long term significance of Kings Park.
This venue is also available to book for wedding ceremonies and some special occasions from 1 June 2011. Refer to the Bookings section for further information.
