From humble beginnings, London-born Weston rose through the massive British gardening industry in the second half of the nineteenth century, becoming foreman of the 79 gardeners at the magnificent Drumlanrig Castle in the Scottish borderlands. 

Reaching Sydney in 1896, he became Head Gardener at Admiralty House, Kirribilli, and in the wake of Federation in 1901, set his sights on the greatest challenge of all – the new national capital across the ranges on the open Limestone Plains. It was here that, despite the daunting obstacles of government bureaucracy and the Great War, he gave life to his ‘dream city’.

Portrait of Robert Macklin 

About the author

Robert Macklin is the author of 31 books, including Dark Paradise, Hamilton Hume and four works focusing on the SAS and Australia’s Special Forces: SAS Sniper, Redback One, SAS Insider and Warrior Elite. He lives and works in Canberra with his composer and artist wife Wendy.