Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens Number 97 April 2021
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Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens
Number 97 April 2021
President Neville Page
Dave Bassett
Vice President Linda Beveridge
Secretary Lynden Ayliffe
Treasurer Helen Elliot
General Committee Wendy Antoniak
David More Imperial Jezebel, Delias harpalyce (female) upperside
Alan Henderson
Wanda Filsell
Lesley King
Public Officer Wendy Antoniak
Exec.Director ANBG Dr Judy West
Post: Friends of ANBG, GPO Box 1777,
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia In this Issue
Telephone: (02) 6250 9548 (messages)
Website: www.friendsanbg.org.au
Homework – John Wrigley’s photos 3
Friends’ activities and contacts William Baxter – ‘so excellent a collector’ of the ‘curious and rare’ 6
Fronds Committee: Barbara Podger
Cathy Robertson Discovering Butterflies 9
Denis Warne
Pam Rooney Redevelopment of the East Core Precinct 10
newsletter@friendsanbg.org.au
Report from the Friends’ President 11
Membership Lesley Harland
Pam Cooke Banksia Garden - update 12
membership@friendsanbg.org.au
Growing Friends Maurice Hermann
Friendly Chatter 14 — 16
Guides Lesley King Botanical Art Groups
Botanic Art Groups Helen Hinton
Photographic Group Rhonda Daniell Growing Friends
Plant Science Group TBA
Social Events Tricia Morton Photographic Group
Talks Convenor Liz Truswell
For all these groups contact:
Volunteer Guides
info@friendsanbg.org.au Plant Science Group
Booked Walks:
bookedwalks@friendsanbg.org.au Botanical Bookshop 17
Fronds welcomes your articles and photographs. Gardens Shorts 18
Fronds is published 3 times per year; the deadline
for articles is mid-February for the April issue; mid- Friends Briefs 20
June for the August issue and mid-October for the
December issue. Email or post material to the Fronds What’s on at the Gardens - April 2021 to August 2021 22
Committee at the above address or place in the
Thursday Talks - April to August 2021 23 — 24
Friends letterbox, located inside the Gardens’ Visitor
Centre, between 9.30 am and 4.30 pm, every day,
Editorial messages: telephone (02) 6250 9548.
Design and layout: Pam Rooney
Cover: Imperial Jezebel (female) - underside. Photo by Dave Bassett
Printing: Union Offset Printers Imperial Jezebels (Delias harpalyce) display a lovely, leisurely flight usually around the canopy
ISSN 2207-6492 of trees but people on Suzi Bond's butterfly walk in February were lucky enough to see one
attracted to Syzygium flowers, much closer to the ground. They breed on the mistletoes in
eucalypts, and their caterpillars are gregarious.
2 April 2021 Fronds 97
Homework – John Wrigley’s photos
Murray Fagg
I
n the last week of March 2020,
working-from-home-arrangements
were introduced by the Gardens as
part of the Australian Government’s
lockdown procedures for staff in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an
associate I was fortunate to be given
permission to bring home a large 35mm
slide scanner and its controlling computer
to continue digitising my photos for the
Australian Plant Image Index (APII), a
task I had been working on at the Gardens
for several years. In June 2020 I completed
scanning and databasing my own botani-
cal slides, almost 40 years of photography.
© Wrigley, J.W. a-39404
© M.Fagg
My next working-from-home task was
to tackle the collection of 35mm slides
taken by my colleague and friend John
Wrigley, with whom I started working John Wrigley in Coffs Harbour in 2009
in March 1971. John was Curator of photographed during the editing of the
Wrigley & Fagg book: Eucalypts – a celebration.
the then Canberra Botanic Gardens and
I was the Education Display Officer. The native orchid, Rhinerrhiza divitiflora,
After John’s death at Coffs Harbour on Gardens since 2014 and staff delivered photographed in John's private glasshouse
them to my home. Some were in a case, behind the Curator's Cottage (now Seedbank,
17 July 2014, I helped his family sort ANBG) in 1969.
out his botanical estate. His wife Marcia others were stored in an unusual way
suggested I bring his photos to Canberra – in recycled Kodak boxes glued onto
to be incorporated into APII and made sheets of wood. Each slide had a unique
available online to the public. number linked to an Excel database as
well as having information written on
His 35mm slides had been in storage in the slide-mount. The number sequence
the Photograph Collection office at the started in the 1960s.
© Wrigley, J.W. a-40524
© M.Fagg
Part of John's 35mm slide collection, in a 1960s commercial slide case (left) and his home-made John's photo of Karrabina biagiana showing
storage system of Kodak boxes glued to wooden boards (right). the coloured young leaves, growing in his
garden at Coffs Harbour in 1990. He was
interested in foliage, not just flowers.
Fronds 97 April 2021 3
Homework – John Wrigley’s photos (contd.)
John Wrigley AM was born in 1934 in 1962 he was editor of the State newslet- plants were included in his private col-
Lindfield, a suburb of Sydney, walking ter Native Plants for NSW. lection, as were photos taken on family
distance from Lane Cove National Park. holidays etc.
In the early 1960s John was involved
On walks here with his father John was
with the establishment of the Ku-Ring- In December 1976, John and I signed
introduced to Australian wildflowers.
Gai Wildflower Garden at St Ives. He an agreement with William Collins
His parents were keen gardeners, but
first visited the developing Botanic Publishers to produce Australian Native
did not use native plants, because, his
Gardens in Canberra as a delegate of Plants (ANP), a book with six edi-
father assured him, “these could not be
the SGAP conference held in 1962. tions over the next 37 years. We got
grown in the garden”.
It was these various elements of his clearance from the then Public Service
At Sydney University he majored passion for Australian plants that saw Board to undertake private publishing
in organic chemistry, and his first him appointed as the Curator of the and maintain private photo collections
jobs were with Shell and the food then Canberra Botanic Gardens in May for such purposes.
company Unilever. After completing 1967, working to prepare for the official
In 1977 we travelled extensively on our
a cadetship with Unilever he was soon opening in 1970.
annual leave, visiting gardens through-
in a management position as ‘Edible
John held the position of Curator until out south-eastern Australia in prepara-
Fats Manager’ with a staff of 30 men
1981 when he moved to Coffs Harbour tion for the book. I concentrated on
producing Stork margarine.
where he spent the rest of his life. close-up flower photographs while John
John’s hobby and recreation activity took notes of what was being grown,
From 1967, all the photos John took
at the time eventually shaped his life. and photos to help him write descrip-
as part of his Gardens work and field
He joined the Sydney branch of the tions of plants in cultivation.
trips went into the nascent Gardens'
newly established Society for Growing
Photograph Collection, which became With John’s move to Coffs Harbour
Australian Plants (SGAP) in 1959;
one of my responsibilities when I took in 1981 our collaboration continued,
he had been married to Marcia for
on the educational role. But John had with later editions of ANP, as well as
two years and they were establishing a
built himself a small glasshouse in the major books on Australian Proteaceae in
garden for their new home. The follow-
backyard of the Curator’s Cottage (now 1989 and Myrtaceae in 1993. In each
ing year he was elected to the SGAP
the ANBG’s Seed Bank) where he pur- of these cases we did a fieldtrip over
Committee as ‘Scientific Officer’. By
sued his hobby of growing native and several weeks to Western Australia with
exotic orchids. Photos he took of these me taking photos, Rosemary Purdie
© Wrigley, J.W. a-39864
© Wrigley, J.W. a-40415
John's photo of the fern Platyzoma A close-up photo of Banksia carlinoides, known as Dryandra carlinoides in 1983, on a WA field-trip
microphyllum in NT in 1988. He didn't only for the Proteaceae book. Voucher: Purdie, R.W. 5079
photograph pretty plants of high ornamental
value.
4 April 2021 Fronds 97
collecting voucher herbarium specimens was his generosity in giving talks to trips in 1983 and 1990. In loading these
and John taking notes and supplemen- clubs and societies. He continued to images into APII over 500 photos were
tary photos to assist him with writing take photos on a digital camera for use linked to their herbarium voucher speci-
plant descriptions. as Powerpoint lecture images after 2006, mens, often updating the identification
but these were not high-resolution in line with taxonomic changes over the
John’s home, named Bongil Bongil,
photos suitable for APII. last 30 years.
at Korora Basin just outside Coffs
Harbour, became a haven for both Over the course of 2020, I scanned and I would like to thank Marcia Wrigley
exotic and native plants, many unusual databased a selection of about 2,800 and the Wrigley family for their generos-
or rare, and for several years it was part of John’s photos and loaded them into ity in contributing John’s photos to the
of the Open Garden Scheme giving the APII. They are now accessible via APII Australian Plant Image Index. This dona-
public access on certain days. It was a on the internet. tion reinforces the strong connection
great source of tropical plant photos. John had with the Australian National
One unexpected result of the project
Botanic Gardens over almost 60 years.
John did a lot of botanical consultancy was that John had carefully recorded
work and was largely responsible for on the slide-mounts Rosemary Purdie’s Thanks also to Murray Fagg & Cheryl
Backhouse for sharing images from the
the establishment of the North Coast collecting numbers for herbarium APIIs “Fifty Years Ago, from the Gardens'
Regional Botanic Gardens developed in specimens from the Western Australian Image collection...” published in the
Coffs Harbour in the early 1980s. This, December Fronds.
too, provided a source for a wide range
of native plant photos.
John later became involved with the
cut-flower trade, especially plantation-
© Wrigley, J.W. a-40833
grown foliage of native species, some
rarely seen before in the florist industry.
He sent these by plane to the Sydney
markets and overseas to Europe.
John and Marcia did extensive holiday
trips, sometimes in a campervan, and he John's close-up photo of Eremaea violacea subsp. raphiophylla on the 1990 Myrtaceae field-trip to
took many plant photos. Trips included WA. This taxon had not been named at the time. (photo is cropped). Voucher: Purdie, R.W. 3777
Tasmania in 1992, Western Australia
in 1994 and 2003, and one when
John led members of the International
Dendrology Society from the Kimberley
across northern Australia to the
Daintree River in Queensland in 1999.
John’s photos were accurately named,
often by other experts, and he kept his
taxonomy up to date from the available
floras and scientific journals, and later
from web resources like the Australian
Plant Census (APC).
© Wrigley, J.W. a-39899
John and Marcia moved from their hill-
side Bongil Bongil house with its exten-
sive terrace gardens to a small block in
Coffs Harbour in 2004, and he stopped
taking 35mm photographs in 2006.
One driving force for John’s plant
photography, other than publications, John's habit photo of Melaleuca scabra on a WA field-trip in 1983. As a horticulturalist he was
interested in the whole plant's appearance. Voucher: Purdie, R.W. 5195
Fronds 97 April 2021 5
William Baxter – ‘so excellent a collector’ of the ‘curious and rare’
Boronia Halstead
F
rom mid-summer to autumn, London. This was a significant departure Baxter’s second trip to KGS was made
visitors to the Banksia Garden from previous expeditions funded by the in the first half of 1824. After this trip,
will be greeted by the bright Royal Kew Gardens as part of their colo- Baxter wrote to Robert Brown that:
lemon-yellow torches of nial/scientific project. The trip coincided
I have been as far as Lucky Bay
Banksia baxteri flower-heads, above with the peak of interest in the cultiva-
and even as far as the Sound …,
distinctive rosettes of triangular lobed tion of Australian plants in Britain and
but could not get into it owing to
leaves. The name-sake for this spectacu- beyond between 1795 and 1835.
a gale of wind coming when we
lar plant is William Baxter. His remarka-
On his first trip to the southern coast were between Mount gardener and
ble skills as a collector in the early 1800s
(1822/23), Baxter visited Kangaroo Bald head. I left the vessel at point
in the new colony were recognised in
Island and King George’s Sound (KGS). Malcolm [now in the Cape Arid
Britain by William Hooker (Director of
Robert Brown of the British Museum National Park] and walked along the
the Glasgow Botanic Gardens), and by
must have asked Baxter for specific coast to Thistles Cove [now in Cape
Charles Fraser (Colonial Botanist at the
specimens, having himself visited the Le Grand NP] with no one with me
Sydney Botanic Garden). But thereby
southern coast on his voyage with excepting a dog.
hangs a tale.
Matthew Flinders. However, Baxter was
Picture Baxter walking at least 200 kms
Baxter made one of the earliest privately disappointed to find few plants in flower
through unknown rough virgin scrub,
funded, commercially oriented plant- when he arrived at KGS, and was only
alone with his dog, collecting plant mate-
collecting trips to New Holland, arriv- able to spend four weeks there due to
rial for propagation on the other side of
ing at Port Jackson on the Royal George bad weather. Nevertheless, he did send
the planet. Among the specimens he col-
in November 1821. His sponsors were Brown specimens of Kingia australis and
lected for Brown on this trip were hakeas
nurserymen, Francis Henchman and some banksias and dryandras.
and grevilleas, as well as Banksia media.
John Bain Mackay of Clapton Nursery in
© Thiele K.R, 2013 (APII dig.53077)
Pam Rooney
Banksia baxteri with distinctive rosettes of triangular lobed leaves, Banksia Garden, ANBG, Baxteria australis, Gull-Rock NP near Albany,
February 2021 January 2013
6 April 2021 Fronds 97
At this point, juggling the competing I am engaged with a House [presum- far as Lucky Bay and also to visit the
demands of his commercial nursery ably a commercial nursery] I am very mountains of the Land.
sponsors in Britain and arrangements unwilling to injure.’
He left on this attempted third trip
he had with others became precarious.
Baxter was also ‘much mortified’ to on 4 April 1826. Having sent cases of
Baxter understood the need to preserve
learn that part of the collection supplied plant material to Henchman at the end
the novelty value of his plants and
to Fraser for Hooker had been given of 1825 and expecting his credit with
control their distribution. He wrote to
to the ‘Botanist’ of the French warship him to be sound, Baxter bought the
Hooker from Sydney seeking an under-
Thetis. cutter, the Brisbane, for the expedition.
taking that ‘two specimens of unde-
However, soon after departure the vessel
scribed Banksia’s with a fruit attached to At the beginning of 1826, Baxter wrote
was forced to return to port to repair
each’ that Baxter had collected for Fraser to Robert Brown of his intention to
damage. It set off again in May 1826.
for supply to Hooker not be permit- travel to KGS once more and to remain
In Tasmanian waters in the spring of
ted to be grown in the [presumably there for 12 months, ‘for the purpose
1826, Baxter encountered another vessel
Glasgow] Garden, saying: of examining the whole of the coast as
apparently in distress and took on some
of the crew (having already collected
plants at Wilsons Promontory and
islands in Bass Strait). However, in port
in Launceston, Baxter’s vessel and its
cargo were seized when proof of owner-
ship of the Brisbane was not accepted
by authorities. Henchman had returned
Baxter’s Bill of Exchange, dishonoured.
Baxter took passage back to Sydney
but was arrested there and thrown
into prison for ‘a paltry debt of Thirty
pounds’ for his fare.
With his engagement with Henchman
over, Baxter sought to restore his finan-
cial situation by again offering assis-
tance to William Hooker. Meantime
in January 1827, he had married Mary
Jones, a convict, who received her
Certificate of Freedom on the date of
their marriage. She had been the benefi-
ciary of the will of a wealthy baker and
publican who had died just weeks before
the wedding. In May 1827, Baxter
purchased 25 acres of land at Petersham
in Sydney with a promissory note to
pay within two years. He intended the
land ‘for a Botanical Garden’ where he
© Fagg M, 1987 (APII a.27982)
could propagate plants for export to
collectors in Britain. However, the mar-
riage was short-lived, with each party
posting notices at the end of 1828 that
they would not honour the debts of the
other. The land at Petersham was sold
in August 1829 when Baxter was again
found to be insolvent while away col-
Kunzea baxteri, this photo was taken for front cover of Wrigley & Fagg 'Australian Native Plants' lecting on his third and last, but most
(ANP) 3rd edition, June 1987, ANBG, ACT
successful, trip to KGS.
Fronds 97 April 2021 7
William Baxter – contd
Prior to his departure to KGS, Baxter I have sent you Eight new Dryandras
had made an arrangement with Fraser and Six new Banksias[.] [T]here is
(as described in Fraser’s note to the one of the latter with a leaf like gran-
Colonial Secretary) to dis and a globe flower the discovery of
which you will perhaps think should
... make a general collection of
in some way kept in remembrance
seeds and plants … the Colonial
of me.
Government retaining one half …
and the remaining half to be trans- Brown obliged, giving the plant the
mitted to his [Baxter’s] constituents name Banksia baxteri. Brown also named
in England: the Government furnish- a Dryandra baxteri, but this plant has
ing him with a regular ration and now been renamed Banksia biterex.
the necessary equipments …
After his return home, Baxter sold his
The Colonial Secretary wrote to Fraser collection to a very wealthy horticultur-
requiring him to ensure that the whole alist, Joseph Knight, for 1,500 Pounds.
of Baxter’s collection was sent in the first The last we know of him is from a legal
instance to the Botanic Gardens before notice about alleged debts he owed to a
Pam Rooney
being divided. brothel keeper.
Baxter arrived in KGS on March 1829 While Baxter’s precarious financial
to find the settlers nearly starving. His situation led him into some dubious Banksia media, first collected by William Baxter
rations were not enough to support circumstances, his great diligence and on his second trip to King George’s Sound .
‘long journeys and carrying such loads skills as a plant collector were recognised
as I do’. Nevertheless, he went to the by Robert Brown and William Hooker.
Stirling Ranges and Porongurups (a In WA alone, he is credited with col-
The ANBG Library is now
round-trip of about 160 kms) and col- lecting around 370 species (including
open, with an online borrowing
lected plant material, including Banksia 44 banksias), 135 new to science.1 He
system available
solandri, B baxteri, B goodii, B baueri is commemorated in the genus Baxteria
and B brownii. He started sending (related to Lomandra), and in species Last year a new library computer
material back to Fraser soon after his names, including Acacia baxteri, Hakea system was installed which allows
arrival. But Baxter himself did not get baxteri, Grevillea baxteri, Eucalyptus you to keep track of your loans and
back to Sydney until September 1829, baxteri, Chrysocephalum baxteri, Kunzea renew items online. In line with
accompanying 18 packages of plants baxteri and Prostanthera baxteri. social distancing guidelines, physi-
and seeds. Fraser applied for an Order cal visits to the ANBG Library will
for the whole collection to be landed 1 Lesley & Mike Brooker: Flowers and
not be resuming at present. The new
at the Botanic Gardens. Baxter, how- gatherers of the Albany to Eucla coastline service has been introduced to enable
ever, had made orders for two sacks of https://lesmikebrooker.com.au/flowers-and- borrowing safely and easily via the
banksia cones to be delivered to no-one gatherers.php Visitor Centre. Normal reference and
but himself. Fraser reported that Baxter Endersby, J. 2000, A garden enclosed: botanical research assistance from the Librarian
abused the Boarding Officer sum- barter in Sydney, 1818-39, British Journal for will continue for Friends, via email or
the History of Science, 33(03):313 - 334
moned to ensure delivery, threatening phone.
to knock him down and attempting to Nelson, E. Charles 1990, ‘… and flowers for
our amusement’: the early collecting and Details on how to use the new service
throw some of the most valuable plants cultivation of Australian plants in Europe may be found on the Friends website
overboard. Constables were called, and the problems encountered by today’s (www.friendsanbg.org.au) on the
and Baxter left the vessel when they taxonomists’, in History of systematic botany
in Australasia: proceedings of a symposium Home Page, under LATEST NEWS:
approached. He returned a couple of …, P. S. Short (ed), 285-296. Library borrowing for the Friends –
days later to fetch his share. Soon after, new system.
Nelson, E. Charles 2018, William Baxter (fl
he booked his passage back to Britain, 1792-1832), botanical collector, Australasian
accompanying his packages of plants, Sytematic Botany Society Newsl 175 (June For assistance contact the library
including 4 cases for Robert Brown. He 2018). via email at ANBG.library@awe.gov.
wrote to Brown during another stint in Maiden, J.H. 1909, William Baxter [in au or phone 6250 9480, 9.30am –
prison prior to departure: Records of Western Australian botanists], 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Journal of the West Australian Natural
History Society 6: 6-10.
8 April 2021 Fronds 97
Discovering Butterflies
On a summer morning in
February, a group of Friends
members experienced a delight-
ful morning discovering butter-
flies in the Gardens. The group’s
leader was butterfly expert, Dr
Suzi Bond, who guided us up the
western side of the rainforest gully,
Richard Arculus
across and through the rainforest,
up the other side, and into the
rock garden. Along the way she
urged us to look out for butterflies
Bill Hall
of any type which might be found
Australian Painted Lady
in the grasses and lower plants, (Vanessa kershawi)
in the middle height trees and Spotted Brown (Heteronympha paradelpha) This is one of the most common and
This is a special butterfly of the ANBG, regularly found flying widespread of our butterflies. They
shrubs, or in the higher canopy. during February at the top of the rainforest gully where they love to feed on the flowering plants at
We were lucky enough to find 14 breed on soft grasses such as Weeping Grass (Microlaena the ANBG, and breed on plants such
species of butterfly, ranging from stipoides). Be careful to look for them amongst the far more as Everlasting Daisies (Helichrysum
plentiful Common Browns (Heteronympha merope). and Chrysocephalum) and Capeweed
a tiny Barred Skipper to the larger
(Arctotheca calendula).
and stunning Imperial Jezebel
(front cover), as well as a fluttering
flock of Macleay’s Swallowtails.
We thank Suzi for sharing her
enthusiasm and knowledge and
providing the captions for the
photos, the photographers among
us for their photos, and the
organisers of this event. (Suzi’s
book, Field Guide to the Butterflies
of the Australian Capital Territory,
Dave Bassett
is available at the Botanical
Bookshop.)
Fanny Karouta
Barbara Podger
Dainty Swallowtail (Papilio anactus)
Dainty Swallowtails are well-known to those with citrus
Captions for photos supplied growing in their yard, as these are the plants this elegant
by Suzi Bond species breeds on. They have a distinctive gliding flight, Macleay’s Swallowtail
and the males are strong hilltoppers around the suburban
peaks of Canberra Nature Park such as the summits of Black
(Graphium macleayanum)
Mountain and Red Hill. This is surely one of the most delightful
butterflies to grace the Gardens.
This butterfly, unusually, has bright
green legs, but also has green eggs,
caterpillars, pupae and of course the
adults have the lovely green wings.
Males are strong hilltoppers and they
are easily attracted to flowers, making
Barred Skipper (Dispar compacta) for perfect photo opportunities. In the
(at right) ANBG Macleay’s Swallowtails breed on
plants like Three-veined Cryptocarya
The ANBG is a fantastic place to find (Cryptocarya triplinervis), Sassafras
this little skipper. They can be found (Doryphora sassafras) and Southern
from midsummer to early autumn on Sassafras (Atherospermum moschatum),
daisy flowers; they breed on grasses and while in the Brindabella Ranges they
Bill Hall
mat-rushes, and the males and females breed on Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia
are dimorphic. lanceolata).
Fronds 97 April 2021 9
Redevelopment of the East Core Precinct
Tony Kelly and Craig Cosgrove
V
isitors to the Gardens will new terraced steps, improved entry areas. The wonderful ferns and other
have noticed over the last to Pollen Café and visitor orienta- wet forest plants in the build footprint
few weeks that preliminary tion, modified main path and new have been relocated to other areas in
work is starting on the rock retaining walls. Stage 1 works the ANBG. Once canopy plants have
redevelopment of the East Core Precinct will include acknowledgement to matured there will be an opportunity
(café and lawn area). the Friends of the Gardens by way to include other interesting and more
of engraving ‘Friends Lawn’ into the delicate Tasmanian plant species. Fog
The redevelopment of the East Core
concrete terraces. will be added to provide more suitable
Precinct landscape is part of the ANBG
microclimate conditions for the
Master Plan program. The successful contractor will work
rainforest plants.
closely with ANBG staff to reduce dis-
This project will enhance the visitor’s
ruption to the gardens and Pollen Café A new sweeping path, consistent with
experience of the Gardens, provide
during the construction works. the existing main path surface type,
increased outdoor dining space for
will connect to the Ian Potter National
Pollen Café and add a quality entry way Construction is planned to start 10 May
Conservatory. The new path will include
to key attractions such as the Ian Potter 2021 with an expected completion date
path lighting to match that planned
National Conservatory. in August 2021.
for the Conservatory path to cater
The development will contribute to the Stage 2 works will start once funding for night-time events and safe access
ongoing efforts to enhance the Gardens is available. This work will consist of a through the precinct at night. There
through meaningful and high-quality new level lawn, the inclusion of some will be a space for quiet contemplation
landscape design. durable Tasmanian plant species on the which includes a Ceremony Garden.
Gully side of the new works, as well as A generous donation has already been
Capital funding has been secured for
showcasing some visually appealing and pledged to contribute to the construc-
Stage 1 of the works which consists of
ANBG unique species around the café tion of this part of the garden.
extending the Pollen Café decking area,
Concept site plan defining stages 1 and 2
10 April 2021 Fronds 97Report from the Friends’ President
Neville Page
Here we are in April, 2021 already: half between members. The Thursday Talks The ANBG Management have called
way into the Friends’ Year. How time Committee has changed. After a great for tenders to construct the new
flies! At this time last year we were contribution, Jan Finley, Doug Laing Conservatory. When completed, the
coming to terms with COVID-19 and and Rita Maclachlan have decided to Conservatory will be unlike anything
what it meant to our day-to-day lives. hand over the reins. Their considerable else in Australia, and will be a major new
Much has happened in the meantime, contribution is much appreciated by attraction for the Gardens. Tenders have
and things are looking better going for- everyone. At their meeting in February, also been called to undertake works on
ward. We still have quite a long way to the Friends Council expressed apprecia- the grounds in the vicinity of the Pollen
go though, before we’re back to normal. tion for their efforts. We have a new Café, lawn and main path. This is the so-
Thursday Talks Committee, comprising called East Core Precinct Development.
I’m pleased to say that the Friends mem-
Liz Truswell (Chair), Linda Beveridge, It is a major exercise and will take quite
bership has held up very well during
Anthony Whelan and Barbara some time to complete. The project will
these difficult times. In January we had
Hamburger. We thank them for step- be undertaken in three stages with a total
2,685 members. This compares with
ping up, and we wish them all the very cost in excess of $1 million.
2,572 at the same time last year. The
best in attracting interesting speakers.
fact that we have been able to maintain Gardens Management is currently in
our membership numbers, and in fact Growing Friends have been very active the process of preparing a new ten year
increase them slightly is a great tribute under difficult conditions with COVID- Management Plan. Submissions from
to our Membership Team, comprising 19 restrictions, but have managed to stakeholders, including the Friends,
Lesley Harland and Pam Cooke. At achieve the successful sale of many plants, with suggestions of what should go into
their February meeting, the Friends despite not being able to mount a public the plan were called for, with a closing
Council resolved that I should write to plant sale. Other Friends special interest date in March. The Friends submis-
Lesley and Pam, expressing our appre- groups including the Botanic Art Group sion was wide-ranging, and included
ciation for the great work they do. and Photographic Group have continued topics such as visitation rate, indigenous
to operate, including holding exhibitions culture, health and safety, risk manage-
It is exciting to see Thursday Talks
in spite of the difficulties. Flowers, Fruit ment, volunteer programs and quite a
back, after an extended break due to
and Foliage (previously In Flower This few other topics. We look forward to
COVID-19 restrictions. Thursday
Week) remains a popular Friends attrac- the stakeholder consultation and feed-
Talks are one of the most important
tion with visitors to the Gardens. The back processes.
of the Friends’ many activities. These
Plant Science Group is currently on hold
weekly talks do perhaps more than Best wishes to everyone.
pending appointment of a new convenor.
anything else to foster communication
_____________________
Inspire. Replenis h. C on nec t
Where friends can just 'Be'.
10% friends discount on all
treatments & services*
Groups and special events.
*not redeemable on gift vouchers.
Ring:
6257 8777
www.jindii.com.au
____
Australian National
Botanic Gardens
Friends Council Members November 2020: (from left) Alan Henderson, Linda Beveridge (Vice
President), Helen Elliot (Treasurer), Lynden Ayliffe (Secretary), Neville Page (President), Wendy
Antoniak, Lesley King, Wanda Filsell, David More (insert).
Fronds 97 April 2021 11Banksia Garden - pruning banksias
Jane Keogh
A
lmost a year has passed of Western Australia (WA). Sixty of planted on the large mounds on your
since the cancellation of the species are in the Banksia Garden, left. WA banksias are notoriously diffi-
the official opening of the including one from the Northern cult to grow outside their natural habitat.
Banksia Garden (later held Territory (B.dentata) and several which Trial beds were established in Section
in October), due to the pandemic. In are critically endangered (B. vincen- 335 (on the Main Path) a few years ago
that time, much has been learnt, the tia) or endangered (B. brownii and B. where hardier WA species were planted
banksias have another year’s growth cuneata or Matchstick Banksia). in sandstone rubble. Most of those plants
on them and species which would not survived a severe hailstorm and then
You will notice as you walk into the
have been flowering in April 2020, now an exceptionally wet summer; the extra
Banksia Garden that WA species are
have their first flowers.
The Banksia genus is one of the best
known genera of Australian plants.
There are about 80 species of banksia,
most of which are from the south west
Volunteer guides were fortunate enough to watch a pruning demonstration
Images: Pam Rooney
A grafted specimen of B. dentata from
northern Australia is growing in a mobile
container which will be moved undercover
when frost (or hail) is forecast
David Taylor pruning B. serrata to reveal the characteristic stems and trunk
12 April 2021 Fronds 97year’s experience, courtesy the pandemic, allowing the wrinkled trunk to be vis- Horticultural staff have identified new
gave the horticultural staff confidence in ible as the tree matures. forms of other banksias which have
the suitability of the soil mix. the potential for commercialisation.
There are three different forms of B.
With the grafting experience of
Visitors may also notice that the name marginata (Silver Banksia), the only spe-
ANBG staff, the day may come
tags on some of the plants have red tape cies native to the ACT, in the Banksia
when it will be possible to plant an
on them. These are species which have Garden. Branches growing upwards on
avenue of the WA species B. menziesii
been grafted, usually on to B. integrifolia the low-growing form were removed to
(Firewood Banksia) and B. coccinea
(Coast Banksia), an eastern species. This maintain the appearance of a ground
(Scarlet Banksia) which will rival the
overcomes the problems associated with cover. Geoff West also demonstrated
waratahs of New South Wales.
drainage and watering. Grafting bank- pruning the small branches which
sias is both difficult and slow. ANBG obscured the flowers on B. sphaerocarpa
horticultural staff have had several years and B. occidentalis. The Friends would like to thank
developing grafting skills and it is hoped David Taylor for his generous sup-
During construction drainage was
that, with time, all species which are dif- port, his enthusiasm, and knowledge
installed to direct moisture to the lower
ficult to grow in Canberra, will be grafted shared with the Guides and the
north-eastern corner of the Garden. The
on to compatible eastern species. Friends over many years. We have
banksia with large purple leaves grow-
Some banksias have lignotubers and/or ing there is a form of B. robur (Swamp heard that he intends to retire from
epicormic shoots which will allow them Banksia) which has been growing at the ANBG in April, but we are sure
to recover after fires and those species the ANBG for about thirty years. It he won’t be able to keep away from
can be pruned very heavily. Those spe- has been named Banksia robur ‘Purple the place, and we will continue to
cies that do not have a lignotuber and Paramour’ and is currently in the pro- see him around!
depend on seed for recovery should not cess of being commercialised.
be cut back too severely. Many plants in
the Banksia Garden have been, and will
continue to be, pruned regularly.
Ten volunteer guides were fortunate
enough to watch a pruning demonstra-
tion by David Taylor and Geoff West.
B. serrata (Old Man Banksia) has a
very attractive ‘wrinkled’ trunk. The
leaves and branches along the trunk can
be removed while the plant is young,
B. sphaerocarpa B. occidentalis
Geoff West pruning B. occidentalis There are a number of specimens of B. robur 'Purple Paramour'
Fronds 97 April 2021 13Friendly Chatter
Botanic Art Groups
regions. All Friends are invited to a painting not subject to formal judging,
The Botanic Art Groups are pleased to
preview of the exhibition on Friday 2 the Artist’s Choice. Though this painting
have resumed their regular meetings on
April from 2pm to 4pm when paint- does have to be botanically recognisable.
the second Thursday, second Saturday
ings will be for sale before the exhibi-
and fourth Wednesday of each month Commissions from sales raise funds for
tion is open to the public. This is an
in the beautiful, refurbished Banksia the Friends who support the Gardens in
opportunity to have first choice of the
Centre at the Gardens. At the suggestion so many ways. Please visit the exhibi-
many outstanding works.
of members, a class for beginners has tion. A complimentary bookmark is
been included. Maria Boreham gener- Botanical art takes many hours of included in this edition showing a few
ously offered to take the class in March. careful attention to detail, so members of the beautiful works.
It was so popular that two were held. have been working for some months
We are always pleased to welcome new
now. All artworks are judged by a team
This year we will hold our 14th Annual members so please contact us at
of botanists from the Gardens to ensure
Botanic Art Exhibition, From the botanicart@friendsanbg.org.au
accuracy, and by two artists, Sharon Field
Desert to the Sea from 3 April to 2 May if you want more information.
and Margaret Saul, to ascertain artistic
in the Visitor Centre Gallery. There will Kate Ramsey
merit, before being hung in the exhibi-
be a special feature on plants from arid
tion. Each artist may also enter one other
Gossypium stuartianum, Nilavan Adams
Pink Wildflowers, Vivien Pinder
Swainsona formosa, Jann Ollerenshaw Telopea speciosissima, Jacqui Gilleand
14 April 2021 Fronds 97Growing Friends Photographic Group
Happily, Growing Friends can now and other plants providing food. Growing 2020 was a very different year for the
host a full complement of members at Friends working in the igloo shade area Photographic Group but we worked
their Tuesday working group – a wel- were recently delighted to host visitations around all the obstacles thrown our way.
come change after the restrictions due from an Eastern Spinebill that was making We even held our Annual Exhibition
to COVID-19. itself at home amongst the larger pots ‘Reflections’ and raised $2,162.60 for
inside the igloo. What a pleasure to see the Friends. This year will still challenge
Following generous rain in Canberra birds and plants together. us but we have planned a calendar of
in December and January, many of the
presentations and outings, some outside
new plants in small pots are quickly
the Gardens - refer to the Calendar on
developing good roots and small estab-
the Friends website.
lished plants are becoming so large they
are being re-potted into larger pots. The Our exhibition this year ‘Recovery’, will
igloo is abuzz with ‘friendly chatter’ and include an Awards section. The Awards
is returning to its old lively atmosphere. inclusion is to acknowledge photog-
raphers who can support and raise
Seed beds are a hive of activity, with
awareness of the aims and values of the
members experimenting with seeds
Australian National Botanic Gardens
never trialled before as well as seeds with
through their photographs.
different needs and pre-treatments. One Of course, there is always the local
member planted new seeds after heat Eastern Water Dragon population often Awards and associated financial rewards
treatment at 90 degrees for an hour and seen in the Gardens. The group hopes will be for categories of Plant Portrait,
a half. We shall be interested to see how to identify specific plants that attract Wildlife in the Gardens, the Banksia
they grow. the insects that are in the dragons’ diet. in recognition of Joseph Banks who
These plants will then be included in visited Australia 250 years ago last year,
Our February meeting had an exten-
propagation sessions. and rare and threatened species. The
sive demonstration of all the databases
Exhibition and Awards challenge will
used for plant identification. Old and
showcase our photographers and their
new members garnered information
skill in capturing the Garden’s wide-
about APRAAL (the list of plants that
ranging diversity of flora and fauna
are approved for propagation); IBIS
through the medium of pictures.
(ANBG’s living collection database);
Find-a-Plant and; and the Growing Terms and conditions for the Exhibition/
Friends database. The Growing Friends Awards will be available soon.
database contains all the information
Exhibition and Awards will be open
about the Growing Friends’ propagation Plants grown by Growing Friends are to all members of the Photographic
sessions going back to 1993; with the offered for sale twice yearly and make Group which you can join for free as a
more recent entries containing the suc- attractive additions to urban gardens, Friend of the ANBG. Please join us and
cess rates for each plant. The databases particularly those with a bit more participate in our activities, you never
form an integral part in the group’s space for the likes of Banksias and know who you may meet and what you
preparation for each monthly propaga- smaller gums. can share. To join look on the Friends
tion session.
New members are welcome. More of the ANBG website, search for ‘get
Often our propagation sessions have a experienced Growing Friends are most involved’ and send us an email at
theme. This could be a plant type such as happy to help new members with photo@friendsanbg.org.au
Banksias, or smaller species suited to the answers and solutions to plant propaga- Alternatively, you can collect a
pocket size urban gardens of today. Plants tion. Talk to one of the Growing Friends Photographic Group brochure from the
could be chosen for bee attracting quali- today. foyer of the Visitor Centre, fill it out and
ties (usually by beekeepers in the group!). For more information, please email place it in the Friends mailbox located on
Plants specific for the needs of birds are growingfriends@friendsanbg.org.au the counter of the reception desk.
the current theme. Plants in the Gardens Donna Growcock Hoping that 2021 is good for all of us.
support many bird species with habitat
such as sleep trees for Tawny Frogmouths, Helen Dawes
Fronds 97 April 2021 15Friendly Chatter (contd.)
Volunteer Guides mark Canberra Tree Week, 1-9 May.
Don’t be surprised if you hear squeals Themed walks are likely to be of
of delight, or a buzz of excited voices particular interest to regular ANBG
around the Gardens during future visitors and Friends, as they showcase
school holidays – guides are offering a specific areas and provide a more
new ‘Secrets of the Australian Bush’ tour specialised focus. Details of walks are
for families. available on the ANBG website and
social media. All free guided walks are
This ‘Family Flora Explorer Bus Tour’ at 11am daily.
takes advantage of features of the Alison Turner
Gardens that children enjoy the most,
Lesley King, Convenor
such as riding the bus itself, walking in
the rainforest and past the Thorny Devil Plant Science Group
in the Red Centre Garden. The tour As stated in the President’s Report
finishes just near the Tree house and (p12), the Plant Science Group is
children’s trail. currently on hold pending appoint-
The tour was developed by four guides, ment of a new convenor. The Group
in consultation and rigorously tested was originally established in 2013 as
with a group of primary aged children. an umbrella for volunteer activities Orchid Conservation Symposium
Offered at multiple times over two of a technical, scientific and research The Australian Network for Plant
days in the January school holidays, the nature. Emerging from plant iden- Conservation (ANPC) will be work-
tours were fully booked and very much tification talks to Botanic Resource ing with project partners to organise
enjoyed by the 53 passengers who joined. Centre facilitators, the main, regular an orchid conservation symposium in
The children also liked the brochure activity became monthly technical 2021. This symposium to be held over
with pictures and a check list of what talks and the occasional fascinating two days will provide an online forum
they might see. These tours are offered excursion to other Gardens such as to increase awareness of the ecology
during the Easter school holidays; and we Mt Annan and botanical institutions and conservation of orchids amongst
anticipate they will be a regular feature such as herbaria and the National practitioners. It will also provide an
of school holidays, exciting families and Insect Collection (CSIRO). opportunity to share the project’s results
the next generation about the wonderful Group members have also had the and promote networking among the
world of Australian plants. opportunity to assist with the ANBG’s orchid conservation community. The
stocktake of its living collection and symposium is scheduled for 22 & 23
to be involved in research projects June 2021.
such as an Acacia pollination project;
an ANU, ANBG and ANBG Friends
Australian Research Council grant
addressing alpine seed and seedling
ecology; and the implementation of
an ANBG conservation project deal-
Alison Turner
ing with the long-term survival of two
populations of Fan Grevillea (Grevillea
ramosissima) on ANBG land led by
Dr Rosemary Purdie (a Plant Science
Meanwhile, guides have been learning Group Member).
about the amazing array of Banksias
blossoming in the new Banksia Garden, COVID-19 restrictions have forced
For more information on the project
and preparing to offer a range of themed a hiatus in the group’s activities and
please head to the ANPC website.
walks throughout the coming year. key organising members have been
Themes are designed to be season- drawn elsewhere. Friends Council is Funding for this project was provided
ally relevant: we ran Eucalypt walks currently looking at the way ahead for by the Australian Government's Wildlife
during March, and Tree walks will the Plant Science Group. and Habitat Bushfire Recovery Program.
Lesley Harland
16 April 2021 Fronds 97Creating an Australian Garden, Always welcomes Friends!
2010, Angus Stewart, with a 10% discount on purchases
cultivars, plus tips on growing over $10, including the purchase
Soft cover, 256 pages, Colour pho-
and maintenance. Author, Angus of gift vouchers, on production of
tographs, $35.00
Stewart looks at some examples of
the customer's membership card
A great book to get you started on different established native gardens
for the person whose name is on
building your dream Australian that he has visited to provide
this card.
garden! It contains everything inspiration and ideas, including
you need to know on planning the a peek at our lovely Australian No discount on redemption of gift
garden including consideration of National Botanic Gardens here in vouchers.
soil, rainfall, climate, paths, water, Canberra! An excellent guide to www.botanicalbookshop.com.au
and garden art. There is a large creating a stunning native garden,
more information on our Facebook
section of beautiful native plant wherever you live.
page at 'Botanical Bookshop'
The Sustainable House Handbook,
2020, Josh Byrne, Soft cover, 192
pages, Colour photographs, illus-
trations, $40.00
The Sustainable House Handbook is
a comprehensive guide to planning
and building an affordable, energy-
efficient and waterwise home for
the future. Author Josh Byrne
takes you through the process that
he went through whilst building
his own 10-star energy rated
house, with helpful advice and tips on everything from choices of
building materials and setup of solar systems through to landscaping,
food production and composting. Packed with colour photographs
and useful site plans, this book is inspiring and instructive.
Dyirri the Frog, 2003, Don Bell,
Soft cover, 29 pages, Colour illustrations, $25.00
Dyirri the Frog - A Ngunawal Aboriginal Story as told by
Ngunawal Elder Don Bell and illustrated by Holly Herring
tells the story of a little frog who, along with the help of
the bad spirit Gudba, became mischievous and naughty
to the other frogs and animals at the billabong. Lessons
are learnt, and Dyirri is given a second chance and a new
transformation. A gorgeous book for children, and extra
special that it is a local story by a local author!
Fronds 97 April 2021 17Gardens Shorts
From the Executive Director
It is proving to be a busy and productive
year at the Gardens so far.
We have been recording record visitation
Sabrina Sonntag
over spring and summer in comparison
with the same periods over the last 5-10
years. With travel restrictions and milder
weather, visitors have been keen to be
outdoors in the Gardens setting.
Interpretive signage in the Rainforest Gully
The Gardens is in the process of devel- highlights the conservation plantings of
Macadamia jansennii.
oping a new Management Plan that
will set the direction for the future of The Gardens is now growing over 40
the Gardens and guide its management plants of this species in the Rainforest
from 2022–2032. Now that the Have Gully. The plantings form one of four
Your Say period is complete, a draft living conservation collections that can
plan is being developed and will be be used to help restore trees in their
made available for public comment in natural habitat if needed. The original
November 2021. The final Management collection of trees was propagated at
Plan will be in place in 2022. Tondoon Botanic Gardens from cuttings Look for Crowea ‘Little Rockstar’ under the
Australian National Botanic Gardens label.
An audit of the current Management Plan taken under strict licence conditions
was positive, with 93% of the policies and from 43 wild trees. Additional collections a range of moisture levels from well-
82% of the actions implemented. are held at Brisbane Botanic Gardens and watered through to dry conditions. In
the Maroochy Research Facility. its common name ‘Little Rockstar’.
We are excited to be moving forward
Little refers to its compact growing
with plans for the new National Seed Traditional Owners of Macadamia
habit, reaching 60 – 80 cm depending
Bank. The design will be unveiled next jansenii’s threatened rainforest habitat
on how much direct sun it receives.
month while we will simultaneously be are involved in its management through
Star is a typical common name often
launching a fundraising campaign for the Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust and
used for Croweas.
donations for critical equipment for the the Gidarjil Development Corporation.
facility. Although Macadamia jansenii is related Going virtual - adapting to a
to commercially cultivated macadamia COVID world
The construction of the Ian Potter
species, its fruit has a bitter taste and is
National Conservatory will start within ASBP Australasian Seed Science
not edible.
the next couple of months, so you will Conference
see lots of activity once that begins. We Crowea ‘Rockstar’ The Australian Seed Bank Partnership
will also begin expanding the Café deck Be on the lookout for a special new is pleased to advise that the Australasian
and redevelop the surrounding area to release of Crowea ‘Little Rockstar’ to local Seed Science Conference, regrettably
improve the visitor experience. nurseries under the Australian National postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19,
Judy West Botanic Gardens label this autumn! will proceed via a new online forum on
This plant has been cultivated from a the 6-10 September 2021.
seedling variant that appeared in the The conference will focus on the impor-
Working to save Australia’s Gardens with a distinctly compact form. tance of seed science for the future
rarest Macadamia Our horticulturalists reproduced it to of plant conservation and food secu-
Commonly known as Bulburin Nut, plant out in a trial last year to see how it rity with keynote presentations from
Macadamia jansenii is the rarest of four would grow.
threatened macadamia species native
to Australia. It is known from only one We’re now planting them in a few
small population in Queensland. more locations to test growing condi-
tions in soils ranging from sandy and
thin, to deep well-draining soils with
18 April 2021 Fronds 97Australian and International experts. We The Gardens is partnering with propagated through the project will be
encourage everyone interested in seed Booderee Botanic Gardens, Wollongong shared across botanic gardens within
biology, seed sourcing, seed banking, Botanic Gardens, Local Land Services NSW and the ACT.
and the role of seeds in culture and and the NSW government to secure ex-
society to log on come September. To situ collections of this species. Bushfire recovery boost to alpine
learn more visit seed collecting
seedscience2021.com.au/ This past summer season, the National
Seed Bank (NSB) gave a boost to its
2021 Volunteer Botanical long-time alpine collecting program
Training Program goes virtual with extra support provided through
Twelve enthusiastic participants from projects aimed at bushfire recovery. The
across four states joined Australian NSB team collected a range of bushfire-
National Herbarium botanists for their impacted alpine and subalpine species
first ever online version of the annual where it was sustainable to do so. They
Botanical Training Program. specifically targeted geographic areas
with poor representation in ex situ col-
Due to the uncertainty surrounding
lections, such as Mt Jagungal, Bogong
COVID-19, the usual 6-7 week in-
Peaks and Namadgi National Park.
person program was run as a three-week
Their efforts also involved collecting
Sabrina Sonntag
online program of virtual workshops
species from a greater number of popu-
and presentations covering botani-
lations to try and increase the genetic
cal collections and research projects
diversity currently held in the NSB.
at the Centre for Australian National
Biodiversity Research along with online Gardens Plant Records Officer, Tamera Beath,
Additional collecting and staff sup-
projects directly related to real-life work assesses seed set and development time of a port was made possible by Australian
in the Herbarium. Magenta Lilly Pilly at Booderee National Park Government funding through Project
in order to inform seed collecting planning.
Phoenix coordinated by Greening
Conserving Syzygium panicula-
A genomic study is underway that Australia, and the Office of Threatened
tum, Magenta Lilly Pilly
will confirm the presence or absence Species Commissioner Tranche 2 Bushfire
Syzygium paniculatum is a rainforest of hybrids and assess genetic diversity Recovery, both delivered through the
tree from the New South Wales (NSW) across sub-populations. The outcomes of Australian Seed Bank Partnership.
coast listed as vulnerable under the the genomic study will help inform pro-
EPBC Act. ject design and collecting work. Plants
Dave Albrecht
Bronwyn Collins from the Australian National Herbarium (upper left), presents to Botanical Tom North, Curator National Seed Bank,
Training participants with a virtual background ‘out in the field’. collecting in Clarke Gorge, Kosciuzsko
National Park for Project Phoenix.
Fronds 97 April 2021 19Gardens Shorts (contd.) Friends Briefs
Secretive Slime Moulds – new A bequest to protect Australian The Friends 30th Birthday
book launched plants Party: Bubbles, Birthdays and
A new comprehensive description You can help shape the future of the Banksias
of Australia’s 330 known species of Gardens through a gift in your Will.
Myxomycetes, Secretive Slime Moulds The Friends finally held our birthday
Inspired by Australian Everlasting party, Bubbles, Birthdays and Banksias on
features numerous fascinating illus-
A bequest
trations where nature rivals Dr Seuss
creations. Neither plants, nor animals,
Daisies, the Gardens Everlasting Circle
offers a secure, long-term impact for
a balmy spring afternoon in November
2020. The party was postponed from
tion Trust
to protect
your gift, with bequeathed funds held April, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
nor fungi, the Myxomycetes are a sur-
in a special Everlasting Fund. Only
prisingly diverse and fascinating group
th deductible More than 80 Friends’ members gath-
investment income in the fund is
This new book by StevenAustralian
of organisms.
opportunities ered on the Education Lawn, which was
spent on Gardens projects – so the
und
Stephenson Gardens benefit from your generosity decorated with balloons, fresh flowers
d Gardens, and foliage, and a display of historical
plants
and edited by Tony Orchard was in perpetuity.
published by the Australian Biological photos and documents hung on clothes-
The work of the Gardens is more lines around the lawn.
aged by the Resources Study with CSIRO publish-
important than ever as together we seek
ing and released in March this year.
d their finance Guests enjoyed sparkling wine and
to protect our native plants for future
The Executive generations.The brochure included individual boxes of delicious nibbles.
cio board in this magazine provides further Anne Joyce, a driving force behind the
information on the Gardens Everlasting establishment of the Friends, unveiled
Circle should this be of interest to you. the birthday cake, a tower of individual
birthday cupcakes.
National Seed Bank building
design plans and Seed the Future
e more online auction - coming soon
G
9426 or
We are excited to report that the design
plans for the new National Seed Bank
will be released in May.
To coincide with the Gardens releasing
the building plans, the Seed the Future
online auction will be launched by the
National Parks Conservation Trust.
Jim Gould
The online auction will engage the
Australia.
ade Carbon Neutral.
community on the important work
Anne Joyce unveiling the birthday cake
undertaken at the National Seed Bank
to protect Australian plants. Funds
raised will help to: purchase specialist
equipment for the National Seed Bank;
support scientific research to uncover
nature's secrets on how to bank,
germinate and grow species to enable
rewilding; and enable the Gardens
to give back to volunteers through
enhanced learning and development
opportunities.
Helen Dawes
Stay tuned for further details in the
upcoming eBulletin and how to get
involved – every donation makes a
Arcyria denudata, a secretive slime mould real difference. Christianna Cobold, a member of 30th
Anniversary sub-committee, with the birthday
cake tower
20 April 2021 Fronds 97You can also read
