Mrs Fraser and her husband, former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, were in Port Fairy last night to open an exhibition of botanical paintings by artist Ruth Walter at the Wishart Gallery.

President of Australia's Open Garden Scheme, Mrs Fraser addressed the crowded gallery on her role in the organisation and her passion for gardening.

"My love of gardening was probably first realised after I married Malcolm and began gardening at Nareen (the Fraser's property near Coleraine) which seemed forever to be a work in progress," she said.

Mrs Fraser said that she was constrained by her duty as a public figure during her family's time in The Lodge between 1975-83.

But today she is glad that since her husband's retirement from office she is able to spend more time outside tending to their garden on the Mornington Peninsula.

"It's been more than 10 years now since we left Nareen, which was rather sad at the time because I had such a connection with the garden there," she said.

"I believe there is reward in planting something and witnessing over time how your garden develops and prospers." Mrs Fraser said that during her husband's term in office she met countless dignitaries and world leaders who shared her love of gardening, including the late Denis Thatcher, husband of the former British prime minister.

"Gardening is a universal topic of conversation and it is very handy in diplomatic situations - you would be surprised at the number of people who love gardening," Mrs Fraser said.

Despite her own experience in the role, Mrs Fraser was reluctant to offer advice to the spouses of any current leaders.

"As Arthur Caldwell once said, in politics you're either a rooster or a feather duster - I'm definitely now a feather duster," she laughed.