Achievements and Activities in 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007
What a busy year our district group has had, full of interesting events and experiences.
Each month several members have met at Bidjigal Community Nursery. There we have been propagating from seeds and cuttings, potting on and labelling.
Lesley has done a tremendous job as Propagation Officer, keeping notes on our work and our results as well as generally organising the various tasks. Jennifer, Chris, Helen, Alan, Ron and Barbara are regular team members and sometimes visitors and other members, such as Joanne and Robyn, join us. We give some of our plants to the bushcare workers in the Hills Shire. Sometimes, we have special visitors like possums who like to share our morning tea fruit.
It's such a lovely place to work.
In February, we met for a bushwalk and picnic lunch at Richard Webb Reserve in West Pennant Hills. Such a handy location for us and a beautiful spot along a creek.
In March, we were invited to visit 'Boongala Native Gardens' at Kenthurst, where we could see how the plants continue to grow and become more beautiful each year. We were also able to purchase from a large variety of native plants, still under the banner of Annangrove Grevilleas. Malcolm and Jenny organised a table and chairs so we could have afternoon tea in the gardens. Some members and visitors joined Malcolm on the rainforest walk and discovered many lovely plants growing there.
In April, our very own local identity, Jennifer, who runs Boronia Tours, led us on a bushwalk at Fred Caterson Reserve in Castle Hill. This easy walk enabled us to see many Banksias in flower as well as other pretty local native plants.
In June we visited Mt Annan Botanical Gardens. We were given a guided tour of their Fruit Loop Walk and found out more about the aboriginal use of plants for food, medicine and tools. After lunch we enjoyed a walk and a drive around the area. Too good to miss!
In August, our treasurer, Pip, took us on a wildflower ramble at Kuring-gai Chase where we finished with a glorious view across the bay. We also had a visit to Wirreanda Nursery at Ingleside where Pip sells plants from her nursery.
In September, several members attended the Annual Region Get-Together. With visits to Burnum Burnum Reserve, Joseph Banks Nature Reserve and lovely refreshments, this was a really special event.
In the same month, the annual Mt Penang Flora Festival was well worth attending, with massed displays of wildflowers and many stalls and displays of native plants.
in August at the Samuel Gilbert Public School Fete, Castle Hill.
Once again, many hours were spent preparing for our colourful display of flowers. Elaine and Chris cut many lovely blooms at Gordon's place and Alan, Jean, Jennifer and Ted also provided flowers. Sue, Elaine, Chris and some local friends spent the afternoon bunching flowers, after a brief sausage sizzle lunch. On Sunday, bright and early we met at school. Lesley had a car full of plants from Annangrove Grevilleas, as well as our own give-aways from the nursery. Pip also brought plants from her nursery and her husband, Tom, also came to help. Elaine and Chris set up the buckets of flowers.
The P&C asked for a donation to the Chocolate Wheel and we provided them with a big flower bunch. We had a roster going with Wendy and Sue volunteering later on.
Behind the scenes, members have been kindly giving their time so our group could continue to function efficiently.
Margaret has been a wonderful supper host, time and time again. And Gordon has continued to put together a brilliant Calgaroo each month. Lesley, Jean and Alan have emailed and posted out our newsletter. Sue has continued with her library duties and has also tirelessly done most of the setting up and packing up for each meeting. Alan and Jean have been often seen assembling the tables and chairs and several of these people with Gordon, have been setting up the microphone and electronic gear.
A big thank you to all the helpers in our group.