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Director’s report Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan …...4 VOLUME 23 — NUMBER 2 — WINTER 2016...

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VOLUME 23 NUMBER 2 WINTER 2016 NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS CRANBOURNE, INC. Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan update The development of the new Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan 2016-2026 has progressed well over the last few months. The last update was in the summer issue of Naturelink, just as we launched into the consultation phase of the project. Through that consultation process, with a series of workshops and community access via the online project portal, we gathered over 1,500 different ideas about the future of Cranbourne Gardens to consider. And what a diversity of ideas we received! From golf courses and luxury hotels to becoming a research centre for the conservation of south- east Australian flora; from establishing better public transport links to providing overnight glamping experiences. It has been a huge job to sift through the ideas and assess each one against a range of criteria. A key criterion has been, not surprisingly, how well the idea supports achievement of our vision ‘life is sustained and enriched by plants.’ The final draft Master Plan has been developed and will be open for comment through the project web portal http://royalbotanicgardens. engagementhq.com/cranbourne-gardens- master-plan through most of May and will be presented to the RBG Victoria Board for approval in June. It has been an empowering process to re- focus the future of Cranbourne Gardens and set us on a path to achieve great things together, over the next 10 plus years. Thanks to everyone who has been involved. I take this opportunity to outline a couple of initiatives from the draft Master Plan, pending Board approval of course. Renewing site access options One of the consistent messages we received through consultation was the need to improve access points and entrances to the Gardens. Our front entry gate, near the corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive to the east of the site, current serves as our primary entry point. Whilst the entry is supported by a landscape treatment, we will continue to explore ways to extend this to the South Gippsland Highway, perhaps through an avenue or boulevard of trees along Ballarto Road (already under consideration by City of Casey). Improved signage and planting at the South Gippsland Highway Director’s report Chris Russell Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Inc. 1000 Ballarto Road Cranbourne Victoria 3977 Inc no. A0025281B ABN 43 551 008 609 Web address: http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/ support/support-groups/ friends-of-rbg/cranbourne Highlights in this issue Winter Plant Sale 8 Bookfest 2016 2 Kangaroo Paw Celebration 13 ‘Other’ Aussie Trees 9 will assist in increasing the ‘visibility’ of Cranbourne Gardens. In other words, increasing our exposure and presence to passing traffic. Similarly, the access to the site from the west along the currently unsealed section of Ballarto Road is considered important to upgrade to provide easier and more direct access from the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Melbourne regions. If you have experienced this ‘trade entry’ previously, you would know that it is extremely dusty through summer and sloshing mud in winter. Initiatives will include seeking to seal the entire length, increasing visibility through landscape treatments and signage close to Cranbourne- Frankston Road, and reviewing the landscape at the entry point to the Gardens. The third ‘access’ initiative in the Master Plan is the recommendation to provide a third visitor entry point to the site from the new community that is developing in Botanic Ridge to the south. It is critical to the Garden’s future to continue building a sense of engagement with, and appreciation by, the local community. Providing improved access and opportunity is one way to achieve this. Current precinct structure planning includes a new primary school adjacent to our southern boundary as part of this residential development, providing a great opportunity to work with council, State Government and From little things…1977 reports of community involvement at Cranbourne Gardens
Transcript
Page 1: Director’s report Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan …...4 VOLUME 23 — NUMBER 2 — WINTER 2016 JUNE 4 Saturday Fabulous Fungi Workshop, 9.30 - 4pm Australian Garden Auditorium,

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NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS CRANBOURNE, INC.

Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan update

The development of the new Cranbourne Gardens Master Plan 2016-2026 has progressed well over the last few months. The last update was in the summer issue of Naturelink, just as we launched into the consultation phase of the project. Through that consultation process, with a series of workshops and community access via the online project portal, we gathered over 1,500 different ideas about the future of Cranbourne Gardens to consider. And what a diversity of ideas we received! From golf courses and luxury hotels to becoming a research centre for the conservation of south-east Australian flora; from establishing better public transport links to providing overnight glamping experiences. It has been a huge job to sift through the ideas and assess each one against a range of criteria. A key criterion has been, not surprisingly, how well the idea supports achievement of our vision ‘life is sustained and enriched by plants.’ The final draft Master Plan has been developed and will be open for comment through the project web portal http://royalbotanicgardens.engagementhq.com/cranbourne-gardens-master-plan through most of May and will be presented to the RBG Victoria Board for approval in June.

It has been an empowering process to re-focus the future of Cranbourne Gardens and set us on a path to achieve great things together, over the next 10 plus years. Thanks to everyone who has been involved. I take this opportunity to outline a couple of initiatives from the draft Master Plan, pending Board approval of course.

Renewing site access options

One of the consistent messages we received through consultation was the need to improve access points and entrances to the Gardens. Our front entry gate, near the corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive to the east of the site, current serves as our primary entry point. Whilst the entry is supported by a landscape treatment, we will continue to explore ways to extend this to the South Gippsland Highway, perhaps through an avenue or boulevard of trees along Ballarto Road (already under consideration by City of Casey). Improved signage and planting at the South Gippsland Highway

Director’s report

Chris Russell

Friends of the Royal BotanicGardens Cranbourne, Inc.1000 Ballarto RoadCranbourne Victoria 3977Inc no. A0025281B ABN 43 551 008 609

Web address:http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/support/support-groups/friends-of-rbg/cranbourne

Highlights

in this issueWinter Plant Sale 8

Bookfest 2016 2

Kangaroo Paw Celebration 13

‘Other’ Aussie Trees 9

will assist in increasing the ‘visibility’ of Cranbourne Gardens. In other words, increasing our exposure and presence to passing traffic.

Similarly, the access to the site from the west along the currently unsealed section of Ballarto Road is considered important to upgrade to provide easier and more direct access from the Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and Melbourne regions. If you have experienced this ‘trade entry’ previously, you would know that it is extremely dusty through summer and sloshing mud in winter. Initiatives will include seeking to seal the entire length, increasing visibility through landscape treatments and signage close to Cranbourne-Frankston Road, and reviewing the landscape at the entry point to the Gardens.

The third ‘access’ initiative in the Master Plan is the recommendation to provide a third visitor entry point to the site from the new community that is developing in Botanic Ridge to the south. It is critical to the Garden’s future to continue building a sense of engagement with, and appreciation by, the local community. Providing improved access and opportunity is one way to achieve this. Current precinct structure planning includes a new primary school adjacent to our southern boundary as part of this residential development, providing a great opportunity to work with council, State Government and

From little things…1977 reports of community involvement at Cranbourne Gardens

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Bookfest 2016

Saturday 11 – Monday 13 June 10am–4pm

Australian Garden Auditorium RBGV Cranbourne

Bookfest 2016 contact:

Marjanne Rook – Organiser

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 9769 7881

Renowned children’s author Jackie French launches Nature Play Week 2016 at Cranbourne Gardens

developers to create a close relationship with the school and surrounding community. This can be through educational initiatives as well as physical access of some sort. We will be undertaking more detailed planning to identify the best way to achieve this.

Nature play week launch at Cranbourne Gardens

Nature Play week is an annual series of events across Victoria that celebrate activities that reconnect kids with the natural environment. It is based on an increasingly popular philosophy that unstructured outdoor play is a critical part of developing resilient and creative young people and communities. This principle is becoming more and more relevant as we witness the growing number of issues related to excessive screen time in the daily lives of young people. Cranbourne Gardens was the site of the official launch of Nature Play Week this year, held on 6 April. Coordinated by the Kids in Nature Network in collaboration with RBG Victoria, attendees enjoyed the entertaining and energetic reminiscences of wombat behaviour around her NSW south coast bush home by celebrated children’s author Jackie French. This was followed by an afternoon session with a range of speakers exploring the opportunities and challenges of establishing nature play options in public spaces.

Book lovers, don’t forget the Bookfest in June organised by the Cranbourne Friends. Pre-loved (some as-new) books and magazines on Plants, Gardening, Horticulture, Botany, Natural History, other Sciences and related subjects will be for sale starting at the low price of just 50 cents!

Bookfest will be held on the long weekend of Saturday 11, Sunday 12 and Monday 13 June, from 10.00am to 4.00pm in the Auditorium of the Australian Garden.

Friends Members and the Gardens’ staff can purchase books on two pre-sale days, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June from 10.00am – 4.00pm at the Elliot Centre.

Bring bags and/or boxes for your purchases and pay with Cash or Cheque - this method of payment is preferred.

Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Inc.

BOOKFEST 2016at the

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, CranbourneSaturday 11, Sunday 12 and Monday 13 June

10am to 4pm in the auditoriumCash or cheque

Members and staff days!Friday 3 and Saturday 4 June

10am to 4pm at the Elliot Centre

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From the President

Indra Kurzeme

I was delighted to see many of your happy faces on our Facebook page recently. We posted a photo of one of the Wilsons Promontory Boat Tour groups. Our social media activity, which began last year in February, has seen a steady increase in followers: Instagram has a healthy 2576. Our most popular photo on record was Melaleuca fulgens ‘Hot Pink’ with 425 likes in July last year. Last month we had 422 likes for Corymbia ficifolia ‘Summer Glory’. We are doing so well that even the RBG Victoria Garden’s Marketing Team is impressed. If you know someone who might be interested in joining the Friends please show them our Instagram page: friendsrbgcranbourne and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/rbgfriendscranbourne/

I spent a lovely day with a number of you in the Dandenongs recently. It was a day of garden contrasts. We visited Burnham Beeches with their relatively new Piggery Café. The main building is empty and gracefully falling into disrepair but the Piggery has been refurbished as a café and is filled with the smell of delicious coffee and cakes rather than pigs. The established trees there are spectacular! The Alfred Nicholas Garden has been neglected but still has a faded grace about it. The smell of the female Gingko biloba was an experience I had never encountered before. Apparently, the seeds contain butyric acid which is also found in rancid butter and vomit (blerk!). Rodger Elliot provided us all with an Identikit guide to the common plants of the Dandenong Ranges and took us on a very informative walk along Hardy’s Gully Track, where we saw the largest moss in the world, Dawsonia superba. We were treated to Shirley Carn’s Garden, and what a gardener! Her garden is

a two-year old masterpiece. We finished the day at Karwarra Australian Plant Garden where many of us were besotted by the flowering Stenocarpus sinuatus. I learnt an enormous amount, as I always do when attending a Friends activity.

At this year’s luncheon we were very lucky to have Andrew Laidlaw speak about Global Gardens of Peace for which he is Principal Landscape Designer. I was a student of Andrew’s a number of years ago and it was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the work he has been involved in recently. Andrew is an innovative, contemporary designer and his very humble nature means you won’t see him much in mainstream media. If you weren’t able to make our luncheon and would like to know more please visit the Global Gardens of Peace Project website at: http://www.globalgardensofpeace.org/. I would like to acknowledge the incredible amount of work that Bev Roberts has put in to running the luncheon each year. Unfortunately for us Bev has informed me that she intends to retire. I think she deserves a standing ovation.

I would like to thank you for your support and encourage you to attend one of our activities. If you are unable to attend our activities please be assured that we value your support - it’s great to know you are there. If you need to contact me please see the contact section on page 14.

See you at the Gardens*

Indra

* Either online or onsite

It is very heartening that we already have over 60 people who have expressed interest in this proposed tour. We will be restricting the number of final participants to 36. From previous experience we know that there will be people who have expressed interest who will drop off the list for various reasons. The main reason for the group size is that we are travelling to some places where accommodation is limited. Accommodation and meals are being negotiated at time of going to press.

We will be mainly visiting south of an imaginary line from Perth to Kalgoorlie. We hope to visit the Kalgoorlie, Norseman, Esperance region (Cape le Grand and Cape Arid National Parks), Ravensthorpe and surrounds such as the magnificent Fitzgerald River National Park, Hyden, Lake King, Stirling Range and Porongorups, Albany, Walpole, Pemberton, Augusta and Cape Leeuwin and Margaret River etc.

We think that tour cost should be in the range of $5000 – $6000 (Perth to Perth).

These pictures may stimulate your interest.

Please put your name in the allocated space on the attached Booking Form if you would like to be kept in the loop and send it to our Booking Officer.

Contact Rodger Elliot 8774 2483

Western Australia wildflowers tourLate Winter & early Spring 2017

Darwinia diosmoides occurs in the Fitzgerald River National Park

Majestic Granite Rock at Two Peoples Bay, east of Albany

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JUNE 4 SaturdayFabulous Fungi Workshop, 9.30 - 4pmAustralian Garden Auditorium, RBGV Cranbourne

9 Thursday Elliot Centre Open House, ‘A talk on Open Gardens Victoria’ by Helen Kennedy, see below

11 Saturday – 13 Monday Bookfest, Cranbourne Gardens Auditorium, see page 2

19 Sunday Afternoon lectures, with Lesley Head and Priya Raygan, see page 7

JULY 14 Thursday Elliot Centre Open House, Topic TBA

23 Saturday – 24 SundayGrowing Friends Plant Sale, see page 8

31 Sunday Elisabeth Murdoch Scholarship Trip Report, see page 8

AUGUST 11 Thursday Elliot Centre Open House, Topic TBA

21 Sunday ‘Other Aussie Trees Workshop’, see page 9

SEPTEMBER3 Saturday Microbats of Cranbourne Gardens Bushland and Australian Garden

8 ThursdayFriends Elliot Centre Open House, Topic TBA

A C T I V I T I E S C A L E N D A R F O R M A R C H – J U N E We hope there will be no changes to the program, but if there are, members will be notified via Quicklink and/or email.

Open House at the Elliot Centre

2nd Thursday of each month (except January)

1.00–4.00pm

The first open house for the year was on Thursday 11 February where Nola Foster, leader of the Herbarium Collectors, led the discussion. The aim of this group is to collect and record all the plants growing in the Cranbourne Gardens. The specimens are identified, pressed and mounted to the scientific standard required for inclusion at the National Herbarium. Nola showed us the recently finished herbarium, a large separate room at the end of the Elliot Centre. This room is dedicated to their work with the necessary equipment, large tables and plenty of storage. Thank you Nola for showing us the process required to create this important collection.

In March we came back to earth with ‘Soils ain’t Soils’ led by Rodger Elliot. Starting with a quote “It is impossible to have a healthy and

sound society without proper respect for the soil” (Peter Maurin), Rodger led us through soil classes - sand, loam, clay; pH - too acid or too alkaline; preparation, fertilisers - you are feeding the soil not the plant, and plant growth - trace elements in the soil. It is a subject that every gardener wants to know more about. There were lots of questions and plenty of discussion. Thank you Rodger for a very informative discussion and for the Quick Guide to Nutrients hand out.

The Elliot Centre is open to members on the second Thursday of each month. Members are invited to come along to interesting and inspiring presentations. We guarantee good company and lots of time for questions and discussion.

Helen Morrow, 9850 9125

Would you like to know more about the Cranbourne Gardens, and other interesting and relevant topics?

Presented by experts and enthusiasts of the Gardens and Australian Plants, our Open House discussions are a great way to learn, discuss and maybe even present your interests and passions.

Open House events are free to Members of the Friends, making them accessible to everyone as well as informative and interesting. They are running on June 9, July 14 and August 11.

Coming up on June 9 from 1pm to 4pm, we have an inspiring treat, as we discuss ‘Open Gardens Victoria’with Helen Kennedy. We will take you on a journey, without having to leave the warmth of the Elliot Centre.

Come along and meet like-minded Friends, have some afternoon tea, listen and discuss.

As an added bonus, Friends can also use this time to peruse our reference library shelves for your enjoyment.

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(Some of) What’s On at RBGV Cranbourne

For enquiries and bookings phone 5990 2200. For information about more activities at RBGV, see <www.rbg.vic.gov.au>.

(Some of) What’s On at RBGV Melbourne

The following events are presented by the Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. For enquiries contact the Friends office on 9650 6398 or at <[email protected]>. Book events online, or download a booking form from the FRBGM website at <www.rbgfriendsmelbourne.org>.

JUNE

Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 June, 10-11am

Fungi Fairies and Elves

Wear your best fairy or elf costume and search for the cheeky fungi fairies and elves in the Australian Garden. Children Aged 3 to 5 years. $8

JULY

Wednesday 6 July, 10am to 2pm

NAIDOC celebration – Koolin-ik ba kirrip-buluk

Join the celebrations at the annual Koolin-ik ba kirrip-buluk (family and friends event).

Activities include a traditional Welcome to Country ceremony, free BBQ, didgeridoo playing, Indigenous story-telling and much more! Free

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Shared Country

Discover the importance of the environment to the Koolin people and how plants were used for food, fibre, medicine and tools. Experiences include a discovery walk, examining artefacts, ochre art and plant food tasting.

June/July School Holidays, 10.15 to 12pm

Children Aged 6-12 years, $12

DAILY

Winter pass: Garden Explorer PLUS one of Flora Australis, Plants for your place or Snapshots of Australia tour

This day pass entitles you to a discount for one guided tour of your choice plus a daily pass for the Garden Explorer.

$12.40 adult, $10.40 concession

Art in the Australian Landscape

Be inspired by rustic sculptures in the Australian landscape. Art brings the Gardens to life and compliments the many winter flowering native plants.

View nature-inspired sculptures by artisan David Dawson from Overwrought Garden Art

9am to 5pm, Free

Botanic treasures: Capturing Australian seeds, flowers and landscapes

Michael Marmach, a keen amateur photographer and member of the Australian Plants Society, has taken thousands of photos capturing the beauty of botanic treasures including seeds, flowers and landscapes, in macro and micro scale

9am to 5pm., Free

JUNE

7, 10, 15 & 16 June, 10.30 to 2pm

Plant Craft Cottage demonstration days

Watch and ask questions as members of the working groups demonstrate their plant craft skills. Free

JULY

Monday 11 to Thursday 14 July, 10 to 4pm

Botanical illustration beginners workshop with Mali Moir

In this intensive four-day course students begin to develop skills in outline drawing, foreshortening, basic colour work and paint application. The cost includes equipment used during the workshop.

For Adults and Teenagers, $342 (members), $399 (non members)

AUGUST

Thursday 18 August, 6 to 7.30pm

Coombe: The Melba Estate. Illustrated talk by Daniel Sinclair Johnson, Estate Manager Mueller Hall, Herbarium.

$20 (members), $25 (non members)

Tuesday 9 August, 10 to 12pm

Winter Insiders’ Walk: Tea and Camellias

A tour of Melbourne Gardens’ camellia collection which includes over 900 varieties. Members only.

Friends’ Members $20

Tuesday 2 August, 10 to 12pm

Winter Insiders’ Walk: National Herbarium of Victoria - guided tour by Dr Pina Milne

A tour of the National Herbarium of Victoria concentrating on specimens collected in arid regions of Australia, Mexico and Egypt. $20

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Thursday 7 July

Cards for Kids

A school-holiday workshop that gives children the opportunity to have fun with pressed flowers and leaves by making and decorating their very own gift cards. All materials provided.

Children Aged 6 to 14 years, $10

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Brunch in the Forest

Sunday 7 February

by Margaret Clarke

Grasses and other Monocots Workshop Report

21 February 2016

Kate Walsh

More than 90 people took advantage of this fabulous Friends’ workshop. We were treated to 6 presentations, a question and answer session, a Friends’ Basketry Group display, a guided tour to view and identify monocots in the Australian Garden, and given 4 seedlings to grow at home.

Most familiar monocots are in the Orders Asparagales, Lillales, and Poales, which includes the grasses.

DNA analysis, combined with current and fossil plant morphology, enables botanists to construct “family trees.” I found it really interesting to see how monocots are placed in the context of other plants and to also trace relationships within the monocots.

Grasses (Family: Poaceae) have evolved relatively recently but they are the only plant family to be found on all continents and have diversified into more than 10,000 species. Grasses are wind pollinated, their petals and sepals have been reduced, and their flowers and grain are protected by a pair of husks produced alternately along the stalk. Other features, such as two growing points, enable grasses to withstand grazing, giving them a competitive advantage in this situation.

A fascinating highlight of the workshop was seeing, via video and magnification, the wriggling movement of grass seed

propelled by their successively moistened and dried awns.

Other highlights included magnification of exquisite, but subtle to the naked eye, monocot flowers as we learnt about the distinguishing features of each family and methods of capturing them on camera.

Delight in the detail gave way to enjoyment of beauty and movement in swathes of monocots in natural or restored grasslands. The texture and colours of grasses are complemented by “flowering pretties” such as lilies and orchids. Mass plantings are very effective but for inspiration, return to Victoria’s now rare and precious grassland remnants. These endangered Ecological Vegetation Classes provide very important habitat. Establishment can be aided by scalping the top soil layer to remove excess fertility and weeds. Ongoing management includes biomass removal primarily by fire, but also by grazing or cutting.

This was an excellent day with very inspirational speakers! Thank you to them and to Amy Akers for coordinating a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends - people and plants - and make new ones.

This photo by Ivan Margitta says it all. Beautiful morning, beautiful setting – the rows of Hill’s Fig looking sculptural - time to chat and get to know each other better.

This Gathering amongst the Figs has become a regular event to celebrate the beginning of another year of activities both educational and social all in support of our beautiful Cranbourne gardens. It takes very little planning or preparation from the point of the Activities Committee and does not require a big commitment for catering. Just once so far have we had to cancel the event due to excessively hot weather.

Will you come again next year? Will you come for the first time next year? Let us know what you think! - Margaret Clarke

Right: Friends enjoying brunch in the shade of Ficus macrocarpa var. hilli trees.

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Afternoon Talks

Two ‘must come to’ talks on Urban Gardens

Saturday 19 June1.30pm–4pm (approx)

Members $15Non-Members $20Students $10

Nature and Culture in Suburban Backyards

by Professor Lesley Head, Head of School of Geography, The University of Melbourne

The suburban backyard provides an important window onto urban human-environment relations. I’ll discuss results from a major study into Australian backyard gardens undertaken over a decade ago. We found that households adapt to sustainability challenges in largely unheralded ways, for example in their conservation of water. Shared attitudes and practices in relation to water contrasted with diversity and conflict around trees, lawns, native plants and pets. I’ll speculate on how things might have changed since (or not).

Colonial Urban Aesthetics and the Global Cottage Garden Industry

by Associate Professor Haripriya Rangan, Principal Fellow, School of Geography, The University of Melbourne

The cottage garden represents a style of horticulture that emerged during the mid-19th century and became associated with a distinctive culture of gentility sought by an emerging middle-class in Britain. This style became increasingly popular as British colonial functionaries and settlers moved to various parts of the British Empire in Africa, Asia and Australasia and brought with them ideas of how a home garden should look. These ideas and their implicit cultural aspirations were also spurred by the expanded repertoire of plants obtained from around the world by European botanical prospectors. My talk will reflect on how these different factors came together to form the basis for a lucrative cottage garden industry. I will use the example of lantana, a plant that was sourced from South America as an ornamental feature, as emblematic of this colonial urban aesthetics and economy, underpinning the global expansion of the cottage garden industry.

NB. Afternoon tea and refreshments will be served.

We hope to see you there!

—Christine Kenyon

Professor Lesley Head

Associate Professor Haripriya Rangan

Discovery TourCosta Rica

Possibly 2018 or 2019

Costa Rica is one of the natural hot spots of the world. It is a rugged, rain forested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is also known for its beaches, volcanoes and immense and important biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, rich with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.

We are still seeking expressions of interest from people who would be seriously interested in going on a Tour. If we get a good response we will start organising an itinerary.

If interested please put your name in the allocated space on the attached Booking Form and send it to our Booking Officer.

Contact Rodger Elliot on 8774 2483 for further information.

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Dame Elisabeth Murdoch Scholarship: South Australia

Sturt Gibbs and Trevor Seppings

Cranbourne Gardens Staff

The Elisabeth Murdoch Scholarship is provided by the Maud Gibson Trust and application is open to Horticultural Staff of both Cranbourne and Melbourne Gardens. Sturt, Cali Salzmann and Trevor applied for this scholarship and were successful, with the main aim being to provide us with personal and professional development opportunities.

We started off the subsequent trip with our best G’DAY boots on, great enthusiasm, inspiration and excitement. This was to prove to be correct beyond our wildest dreams! The trip was about learning and collecting as much information as we could about natural and cultivated South Australian landscapes and their horticultural potential.

We knew our objectives but wondered what else was out there to discover? One thing was for certain, we were off on a once in a life-time trip.

The areas of interest were diverse, reflecting the broad palette of plants in the Australian Garden. It was going to be a challenge but all three of us were up for the long hours to accomplish the mammoth effort of fulfilling the objectives of the trip.

Our main objectives were to:

• Gain information and practical insights into the cultivation and cultural requirements, including the environmental tolerance, of a range of plant species that are currently or potentially suited for cultivation in the Australian Garden

• Network and connect with people• Look for potential sources of future plant

material• Look at other nurseries in relation to plant

propagation techniques and production

Geographical areas and plant types that we were interested in included: Semi-arid, Dryland\Arid, Mallee, Eucalypt species, Rainforest/ Gondwana, Wetlands and Seaside/coastal.

As you can see this is a diverse range of plant groups to observe.

We were also to appreciate Gardens of significance, thematic designs and masterplan outlays.

Oh yeah, and to have fun!

Sturt and I are very much looking forward to presenting our trip experience to The Friends of Cranbourne Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. - Trevor Seppings

The intrepid travellers, from the left: Sturt Gibbs, Cali Salzmann and Trevor Seppings.

Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne Inc.

Growing Friends Winter Plant SaleSaturday 23 and Sunday 24 July, 10am to 4pm

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, CranbourneFollow the signs from the carpark

Cash or cheque please

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Membership update

Helen Morrow

‘Other’ Aussie Trees Workshop

Sunday 21 August 2016

9.30am - 4pm

Australian Garden Auditorium, RBGV Cranbourne

Members $60Non Members $75Students $30

Sometimes there is a tendency when we are selecting Australian trees for our gardens and landscapes to automatically think of Eucalypts, Wattles and maybe Lilly Pillies. However that could be seen as being a bit short sighted when there are many more Australian trees than just those that warrant attention.

This ‘Other Aussie Trees Workshop’ will endeavour to help open your mind to

other opportunities via various presentations by a group of experienced presenters.

Dr Roger Spencer will lead us into the world of the non-flowering Australian Tree Gymnosperms which includes fascinating genera that may not be well known to us, such as Callitris, Actinostrobus, Agathis, Araucaria, Lagarostrobus, Podocarpus, Prumnopitys and Wollemia.

We will learn about the evolution of these fascinating trees, how shrubs can become small trees and much more. Our very own John Thompson will lead us through the social and cultural uses of these ‘Other Trees’.

Come along and broaden your knowledge and outlook about other Aussie trees’!

You will notice that, after many years without change, there has been a modest increase in the Friends’ membership fees. The decision to raise fees was reached after much deliberation by your Committee, as part of a process of re-considering the wide range of activities and benefits we offer our members. We have designed a new brochure to attract new Friends, and arrangements made with a number of organisations and businesses have led to many discounts now being available to members. Also, if you would like to give

Friends Membership Matters

someone a subscription, we have an attractive Gift Certificate for you to use.

The Membership Secretary will send you the list of benefits and discounts with your new card. If you would also like to receive a Gift Certificate, please contact Helen Morrow at: [email protected].

Helen Kennedy, Secretary

You will find a subscription renewal form included in this newsletter. Our financial year ends on 30 June and the subscription for 2016/17 is due on 1 July. We invite you to renew your membership of the Friends and thank you for your continuing support.

Please fill in and send the form, by post or email with your payment. If it is a household membership, please include all members. A new membership card will be sent to each member when the subscription is received, along with a list of the discount benefits now available.

Payment is by cheque, money order or if you use bank transfer please include “your name & sub” on the transaction so that Karen, our very hard working Treasurer, will know who has deposited the money and what is it for.

You will notice that after several years there is a modest increase in fees. For members who joined early this year their membership is automatically extended to June 2017.

The Friends have gained 34 new members this

quarter and we look forward to meeting them throughout the year. All members are welcome to join the Special Interest Groups listed in Naturelink. A variety of activities are planned for each month, so come along. Please contact me if you would like more information: email - [email protected] or phone - 9850 9125.

Welcome to New Members

Pamela Binks, Maureen, Brian, Dean & Alia Blower, Kristin Campbell, Joy Davy, Aletta Dogterom, Peter Finch, Peter Flahavin, Fiorella Glavich, Jan Hall, Caroline Hamilton, Debbie Jerkovic, Susanne Kerr, Constance Lane, Ruth Marriott, Murray Marsh, Catriona McLean, Anne Peters & Kaspar, Jannek & Joaquin Delhey, Susan Ring, Susan & Robert Russell, Hannah Russell, Michael Tate, Mandy Thomson, Christine Veal, Fiona Webber, Joe Wilson, Jeanette Wright and Dawn Zillman.

Athrotaxis selaginoides foliage and immature cones.

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R E G U L A R M O N T H L Y A C T I V I T I E SThe Friends RBG Cranbourne run several regular monthly activities, which are described below. If you are interested in participating in any of these activities, even on an irregular basis, please ring or email the contact person, or just turn up. Don’t worry if you don’t have specific skills, you will learn on the job, and you will be made most welcome!

Herbarium Collectors

1st Monday 9am–2pmElliot CentreContactNola Foster 9583 5731

Botanical Fabricators

2nd Tuesday 10amElliot Centre

Contact Gwen Elliot8774 2483

The 5th Anniversary EXHIBITION of FABRICS, CRAFTS and QUILTING at Cranbourne was held in the Visitor Centre from Saturday March 5th through to the Labour Day holiday on Monday March 14th. The exhibits filled the Gallery area at the Reception Desk and also the Auditorium downstairs. A special feature of the Exhibition was the launch of the new ‘Melba’ range of fabrics, designed by Leesa Chandler, and launched by Clare Mooney from Sydney, Editor of the Australian Quilters Companion magazine.

There were around 1900 visitors to the displays in the Auditorium including local, interstate and overseas visitors, many of whom came especially to see the Exhibition. Our Botanical Fabricators group had three tables of items for sale and raised just under $2,500. An additional $3,000 was raised by the Quilt Raffle. The major prize was again a large quilt donated by Leesa Chandler of Chandlers Cottage, and this was won by Thelma Castles of Southbank, who had ticket No. 873. The second prize went to Maree Wright of Mitcham, with ticket 903, and the third prize to Tania Westlake of Cheltenham who had ticket 1601.

Sincere thanks to all who assisted in so many ways with making the Australian Textile Exhibition a success once again. Plans are already in hand for a repeat in 2017.

The Botanical Fabricators are now busy sewing items with a Kangaroo Paw theme, in preparation for the Kangaroo Paw Celebration month in November.

The Herbarium Collectors continue quietly and steadily on. The collection now numbers 727 genera and species. Our superbly talented and dedicated photographer Dan Linsten is no longer able to come out into the field,

but will continue to organise the computer compilations for us. A wonderful, hardworking Friend who has given us hundreds of beautiful photographs supporting and recording the collection .We are fortunate to have three highly skilled, experienced and artistic photographers, Robin Allison, Ivan Margitta and Laurie Lively, plus our white knight Alex Smart if we are in need.

In April, we were sent to collect samples of a foreign invader not seen previously in the area. Growing outside the eastern boundary on land soon to be smothered with

houses, along side a patch of Dock, stood two handsome and vigorous Datura ferox. These interesting plants, produce everything at once, flowers (typical white trumpets), large heavily spiked fruit, dried seed pods and rich green, wavy dentate leaves. The numerous stems were incredibly stiff and strong for an herbaceous plant, soon to be removed by Ollie Sherlock and the Land Management team. If it appears in the RBGC gardens, they will know where it came from.

Datura ferox, opening ripe fruit. Photo: Ivan Margitta.

Datura ferox with its large white flower. Photo: Ivan Margitta.

A selection of items made by the Botanical Fabricators for display at the Kangaroo Paw celebration in November.

The display of the Friends raffle. 1st Prize quilt by Leesa Chandler and other items in the Auditorium.

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Growing Friends

Marjanne Rook

3rd Wednesday Every Thursday

Growing Friends Nursery

ContactMarjanne Rook 9769 7881 [email protected]

The winter plant sale will be on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July in the Gardens from 10.00am to 4.00pm on both days.

The Growing Friends Nursery is open to members of the Friends every Thursday from 10am to 3pm or later by arrangement—check with Marjanne.

For more information, email [email protected]

or contact Marjanne on 9769 7881 or Don on 9736 2309

Autumn Plant Sale

Once again, the Autumn Plant Sale was a busy and most profitable event and with taking a few pre-plant sale purchases into account, we made approximately $12,500. As you would be aware, we also had a clearance sale at the Growing Friends nursery at which we sold $1,500 worth of plants over two Thursdays. I find this a remarkable amount given that the plants on special cost no more than $1 or $2 each (although some customers bought a few full price ones). Many volunteer hours go into growing plants and holding regular sales and we appreciate members coming to our sale and nursery. So, ‘thank you’ to all who support us by your visits and purchases. I hope that your plants flourish. We are now preparing for the Winter Plant Sale which will be on 23 and 24 July.

Pots, labels and boxes

If you have any plastic plant pots, Growing Friends plant labels and/or boxes you wish to part with, we will be glad to recycle them. Please insert pots and labels inside a sealed plastic bag and drop them by the gate of our nursery in the depot area. You can leave them at the gate if we are not there. Small and medium sized boxes will also be very welcome but need to be left in a dry area.

Kangaroo Paws and more Kangaroo Paws

A Kangaroo Paw Celebration is being

planned for the month of November by the Gardens and Friends. You can read more about this in this edition of Naturelink. Kangaroo paws will be the star of the month and thus the Growing Friends will be selling a fantastic range of many colours of this plant. Not only red, yellow, green, orange or combinations thereof, but also violet, pink, lime, lilac and more. So far we have potted hundreds with more to come. Be sure to leave some space in your garden for these beautiful plants as there will be plenty of opportunities for you to see and purchase them.

Plants as table centres and gifts to luncheon guests

Once again we were asked to supply plants for guests at a luncheon at the Gardens’ Tarnuk room. This time, small pots with a number of flowering plants for each guest, were inserted into ribbon-decorated florist boxes which were then used as table centres. I have been told that both the guests and the clients concerned were delighted.

Special Plants Orders

As usual, should you wish to purchase a plant you have seen in the Gardens, or multiple plants for a large area, then please contact the Growing Friends by email or phone with your request and we shall endeavour to grow them or may even have it/them in stock. Contact details on this page.

Growing Friends

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Botanical Illustrators1st and 3rd Wednesday 10am–3pm

Elliot Centre

Contact Margaret Holloway 0438 985 382 [email protected]

Botanical Illustrators event

Painting Fungi Workshop with Helen Burrows

Monday and Tuesday20 & 21 June 10am–3pm

Elliot Centre

members $160 non-members $185

The Botanical Illustrators group continues to enjoy working together in the comfortable Elliot Centre and we are working towards future exhibitions. The group provides an encouraging atmosphere for artists of a wide range of experience with the sharing of information and ideas. Joining the group sets aside time to paint which, too often, gets pushed aside by our everyday activities. Anyone interested in joining our group is welcome to visit us to see if it would be suitable for them.

Talk on Garlic by Penny Woodward - 3 February, 2016

Penny was met by a full room of keen listeners as she regaled us with the depth and breadth of her knowledge about garlic and her fascination for this plant with an intriguing history of cultivation. She described the physical intricacies of garlic, its growing requirements, caprices, flavours and uses. She also explained the complex puzzle of identifying garlic varieties, the practices which have led to mis-naming and the arduous work which is being undertaken to untangle the garlic naming puzzle - a task in which Penny is involved.

Penny has been growing, writing about and photographing edible plants for more than 30 years. After seven books and countless articles and talks, her interest in her subject is undiminished.

Organic gardening and sustainable living are her passion, along with growing and using edible and useful plants, herbs, vegetables and fruit. She enjoys communicating with gardeners to share her enthusiasm. She has written her books – two of which have won

awards - for Australian conditions. More information about Penny and her work can easily be found on the internet.

This was a most informative and interesting talk and we deeply appreciate Penny sharing her knowledge with us.

By Margaret Godlewski

Garlic Drawing & Painting Workshop with Helen Burrows - 16 February, 2016

After Penny Woodward’s recent talk on garlic, we were ready to attempt drawing and painting this subject.

Helen set out the process she uses to design and refine a project, then took us through it step by step, to produce drawings which we could use to compile a completed design. She emphasised the importance of using light and dark elements to achieve shape and depth of field, then took us through the use of triads of colour to create many and varied shades of grey, as it is not just a matter of grading black to white.

We spent the afternoon bringing together our drawings and grey shades to produce our garlic design.

We were all very grateful to Helen for the well planned and competently run workshop, and particularly for sharing her design process, which will be much used in the future.

By Beryl Fieldhouse

The ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’ inevitably concludes with a bounty of fungi and this June you can celebrate the beauty and mystery of these amazing organisms through observation and artistic creation.

This 2-day workshop will cover the illustration in water colour or coloured pencil of a range of cultivated and wild fungi in its wonderful variety of form and subtle colouring, including design, drawing and colour mixing. Some experience in drawing and painting is advisable.

A professional graphic designer, Helen has worked in both secondary and tertiary sectors, teaching art and lecturing in design and graphic communications. Her botanical water-colour work is represented in numerous important public collections around the world, including Kew Gardens. It is also held in galleries and private collections throughout Australia and overseas, and she

has completed three volumes of camellias in limited editions.

Her work has also been used in various publications.

More information about Helen’s fantastic work can be found at burrowsbotanicals.org.

For bookings or for further information about any of the above activities contact Margaret Holloway: T: 0438 985 382 E: [email protected]

Margaret Hollaway’s water colour, Edible Fungi.

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Botanical Basketmakers

3rd Saturday10am–2pmElliot Centre

Contact Lynn Lochrie 0437 759 610 basketry@rbgfriendscranbourne. org.au

Would you love to try Basketmaking but are unsure how to get started? Come and visit us in the Elliot Centre on the 3rd Saturday of the month, and we will help you.

The Botanical Basketry group use native materials to create useful or sculptural objects. Our skill levels range from novice to experienced, and we work on our own projects, whilst sharing techniques and ideas, and discussing useful Native Plant material. We welcome all newcomers and would love to see you!

Recently we had a wonderful workshop with Pat Dale who taught us to make a hanging twig basket using a variety of native plant materials.

Heather Turner from Basketmakers of Victoria will teach a workshop titled “Stitch and Coil with Lomandra” on Saturday 20th August from 10am to 4pm. This is a great way to use a plant that is easily obtainable in Victoria. Cost is $50 per member and $60 for non-members. BYO lunch, scissors and large needle and dried stripped Lomandra if you have some (otherwise we will supply). Tea, coffee & biscuits supplied. Places are limited, so get in quickly to attend this popular workshop.

The Botanical Basketmakers meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month. 10am-2pm Elliot Centre.

Contact Lynn Lochrie 0437 759 610

[email protected]

Botanica, the tour organisers, report that eighteen members have confirmed bookings for the tour of South African gardens and wildflower hot-spots. At present we have an uneven number of ladies booked preferring Twin Share (please note I’m not permitted to say odd ladies). This would provide an opportunity for another lady to book and obtain the Twin Share price.

FRBGC Tour South Africa

September 14 to 27 September 2016

Contact Alex Smart [email protected] or 9707 5275 for further information.

Pat Dale teaching us how to make a ‘Hanging Twig Basket’. Photo: Lynn Lochrie.

Happy participants at the Hanging Twig Basket workshop by Pat Dale, with their baskets. Photo: Lynn Lochrie.

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The Cranbourne Gardens and Cranbourne Friends are combining to present a wonderful opportunity for people to participate in a special occasion later this year.

This will be a marvellous celebration of the iconic kangaroo paw and its relatives. We may be familiar with kangaroo paws in our own and other gardens, but there is a whole lot more to this fascinating plant family.

The Australian Garden will certainly be enlivened by the planting of about 5000 kangaroo paws. The main plantings will be in the Cultivar garden and the Northern Exhibition Garden precinct. Planting of gardens and containers of varying proportions will provide a stunning floral display.

Over November the Gallery behind the Visitor Centre Information centre will have an exhibition of artworks, crafts and floral art all with a kangaroo paw and relatives theme and Cranbourne Friends groups such as the Botanical Illustrators, Botanical Basket makers and Botanical Fabricators will be represented.

The Kangaroo Paw Picnic over the weekend of Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November will provide a varied program of activities. A couple of highlights will be the Growing Friends Kangaroo Paw Plant Sale and the launch of the beautiful Angus Stewart bred Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Violet’. This plant will be on sale and there will be a wide variety of other kangaroo paws available.

As part of this month-long celebration there will be a special three-day symposium on this group of plants which are in the plant family Haemodoraceae. Professor Stephen Hopper AC (Guru of this plant family) from Western Australia and Angus Stewart from New South Wales are our feature presenters.

Steve Hopper was previously Director of Kings Park and Botanic Garden and also the first non-British Director (CEO and Chief Scientist) at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Currently he is the Winthrop Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Western Australia.

Angus Stewart is Australia’s premier kangaroo paw breeder with the Bush Gems Range now available throughout the world. He is also a gardening author and TV presenter on Gardening Australia. When on ABC Radio with John Doyle (aka Rampaging Roy Slaven) he was dubbed ‘Doctor of the Dirt, Surgeon of the Soil and Professor of the Paddock’.

Special Kangaroo Paw Celebration for all of November

Other speakers we have been able to engage include Dr Brett Summerell from RBG Sydney; Prof Kingsley Dixon from Curtin University WA; Digby Growns from Kings Park WA; Craig Scott from East Coast Wildflowers NSW; Loretta Childs, Landscape Designer, Vic; Neil Marriott, author, botanist and Australian plant grower; Ellen Hickman, botanical artist WA, members of the Cranbourne Friends and Australian plant growers, Amy Akers and John Thompson. We are still finalising other speakers for the Symposium.

Symposium Day One: Thursday 24th November will be a Science Day dealing with botanical, zoological and horticultural aspects. It will be held at the Melbourne Gardens

Symposium Day Two: Friday 25th November will be a Professional Day dealing with breeding, design, cultivation and diseases. It is aimed at people who work in parks & gardens, horticulture, and design and construction. This day will be at the Cranbourne Gardens.

Symposium Day Three: Friday 25th November will be a Home Gardeners Day dealing with subjects that gardeners like to know. This day will also be at the Cranbourne Gardens.

This promises to be a very special time for the RBGV Cranbourne Gardens and all visitors!

We will be providing further information in the not too distant future about the range of activities for November and if you would like to be on the email list please contact the writer on [email protected].

Anigozanthos flavidus ‘Landscape Violet’ bred by Angus Stewart will be launched on 19th November in the Australian Garden.

Anigozanthos onycis seen here at Chillinup, east of the Stirling Range, WA has been used in Kangaroo Paw breeding programs.

The very rare Haemodorum distichophyllum is known only from a few locations in Tasmania. Photo: Plants of Tasmania Nursery

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President: Indra Kurzeme 0408 002 028Secretary: Helen Kennedy 9560 0185Vice President: Helen Morrow 9850 9125Immediate Past President: Richard Clarke 5974 1750 Treasurer: Karen Russell 9878 4857Membership Secretary: Helen Morrow 9850 9125RBGC Representative: Chris Russell 5990 2200General Committee

Amy Akers 0423 513 281Margaret Clarke 5974 1750 Rodger Elliot 8774 2483Chloe Foster 9725 3569Barrie Gallacher 9857 7378Barbara Jeffery 5998 5410

Christine Kenyon 9589 2154 James McKee 9707 2624 Bev Roberts 9391 3393Marjanne Rook 9769 7881

Naturelink EditorAshley Michailaros [email protected] 0408 949 914

Quicklink Editor Chloe Foster 9725 3569Social Media Convenor Amy Akers 0423 513 281The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6pm.

The Friends of RBG Cranbourne Committee

• our quarterly newsletter Naturelink• QuickLink eNews• discount rates for both Melbourne and Cranbourne Friends activities• access to Friends-only activities• 15% discount on plant sales at RBGV Cranbourne • access to Friends-only plant sales

• 10% discount at the Boon Wurrung Café• 10% discount at the Gardens Shop (Melbourne and Cranbourne). You can get an application form from the website <http:// www.rbg.vic.gov.au/support/support-groups/friends-of-rbg/cranbourne>, the Visitor Centre at RBGV Cranbourne, or Helen Morrow, Membership Secretary on 9850 9125, or at <[email protected]>.

B E N E F I T S O F M E M B E R S H I P JOIN THE FRIENDS AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

Re-introduction of Helmeted Honeyeater to Beaconsfield/Berwick area

Wendy Smart

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A meeting on Sunday 10 April was hosted by the Australian Plant Society Wilson Park- Berwick Group. Several FRBGC members and representatives from many local groups and authorities were present to discuss the program to re-introduce the Helmeted Honeyeater to its original habitat range.

The Helmeted Honeyeater is Victoria’s Bird Emblem but very few people have ever seen this critically endangered bird. A most attractive bird, it is black with yellow helmet and markings. A logo of the bird appears on the documents of numerous public authorities around the district. In early settlement times there were colonies of the Helmeted Honeyeater found over a wide area from Yellingbo, along the Cardinia Creek in Berwick and Beaconsfield then across to the Koo-Wee-Rup Swamps and around Bass River, up until the swamps were drained in the 1880s. After the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, and the subsequent loss of habitat, the birds became so rare the species was declared critically endangered.

The Helmeted Honeyeater, (known to Friends as the “He Ho”), requires a mixed forest of Eucalyptus, Melaleucas, Leptospermum and sedges. It eats lerps, invertebrates, nectar and sap and builds suspended cup shaped nests, bound together with spiders’ webs. A clutch is usually 2-3 eggs, but the female could produce 3-4 times a year, each time in a new nest. Once female chicks mature they move away to find new territory.

In 1967 the Yellingbo Reserve was created and in 1989 the Friends of Helmeted Honeyeaters was established for the preservation of this bird. A number of dedicated Friends have been involved in the study of the bird’s habits, diet and reproduction with the aim of increasing bird numbers.

FRBGC member Bob Anderson has been a member of the Friends of He Ho for 27 years. When he started there were perhaps 50 birds remaining. Many breeding programs have been undertaken over that time with varied success and sometimes failures. The group often struggled to get funding and in finding the correct ways to support the security of the He Ho populations. Overall though, they have succeeded and now there are some 200 birds in the Yellingbo district and more birds are bred in the wild than in captivity. A trial re-location in the Bunyip Forest is underway.

Bob Anderson said that it is now necessary to find sites away from the Yarra Ranges to ensure survival of colonies if fires or diseases occur on particular sites.

An assessment team recently examined various localities in the Berwick and Beaconsfield districts to find suitable locations. Several sites were identified as being quality habitat that could support the He Ho, or need very little extra planting to reach this level. Friends of the He Ho were encouraged by the interest and support they received and everyone looks forward to the next stage of re-introducing birds to their former range.

Mature Helmeted Honeyeater feeding young fledglings. Photo: Bruce Tardif.

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Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, has a rich history and culture. Partly because of its position, it was often controlled by the great powers – Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Norman, Hohenstaufen, Catalan and Spaniard. There were also short periods of independence, as under the Greeks, later as the Emirate of Sicily and then the Kingdom of Sicily under the Normans. They all left their mark on the island, in the language, the architecture and the culture.

Sicily offers a huge range of interesting sights and activities for visitors. It is home to Etna, the greatest active volcano in Europe, as well as Vulcano and Stromboli in the Aeolian Archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the autonomous Region of Sicily.

Around April/May the wildflowers put on a spectacular display all over the island. This is probably the best time to visit. But breathtaking sights are everywhere, from the protected reserves in Etna’s natural parks, the Madonie and the Nebrodi parks, where you will find some of the largest beech forests in Europe (Fagus Sylvatica), as well as smaller reserves such as Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro where you can also learn about traditional agricultural practices in Sicily. There are fantastic views of a sparkling sea all around.

Another world treasure certified by UNESCO is the archaeological area of Agrigento, a major centre of culture and learning in the ancient world. The famous Valley of the Temples – surrounded by green olive groves, almond trees, citrus orchards and vineyards – showcases the best-preserved Greek temples outside Greece.

Other UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the Baroque cities of the Noto Valley, the Villa

Discovery TourSicily

Possibly Autumn 2018 or 2019

Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina with its amazing floor mosaics and Siracusa, the first Greek colony and once briefly the capital of the Greek Empire. The Amphitheatre is still in use today.

A little further up the east coast stands Taormina, with its the Greco-Roman theatre (also still in use) and the Byzantine architecture left by the Normans, especially the Cathedral at Monreale near Palermo, the churches of the Martorana and San Giovanni degli Eremiti, and the Palatine Chapel in the old Royal Palace and now home to the Parliament of Sicily.

If you’re interested in good food, Sicily offers some of the best cuisine in the world. And if you’re vegetarian, you’ll enjoy the range of fresh vegetables available in most restaurants and trattorias, not forgetting the marvellous and colourful fresh food markets.

If you want to know more, ask a native like me. Either drop me an email or ring me.

If interested, please register on the Booking Form and send it to the Booking Officer.

Alf Reina 9769 7881; [email protected]

Mt Etna and Nebrodi Mountains, Sicily. Photo: Alf Reina.

Fresh produce in Siracusa, Sicily. Photo: Alf Reina.

Temple of Concordia, Agrigento, Sicily. Photo: Alf Reina.


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