The late Kevin Heinze was a well-known and much-loved celebrity gardener who innately recognised the value of plants and gardening for human health and wellbeing.

Working with the Kiwanis Club of Doncaster and Templestowe, Kevin established the Kevin Heinze Garden Centre in 1979 as a place where people with disabilities could come together to learn about the value of gardening.

The Doncaster/Templestowe Council (now Manningham Council) supported the initiative by securing the lease on the site in Wetherby Rd where the Centre still thrives today.