Thanks to the Parramatta Hills Group of APS NSW for once again organizing and hosting an excellent Quarterly Gathering and AGM at the Gumnut Hall, Cherrybrook, on Saturday 11 May. Despite the rain, the day was an enormous success.
In the morning, a number of committed plant enthusiasts braved the wet weather and visited the Community Environment Centre at Annagrove, where we enjoyed a guided tour by Ian Cox. The Centre is an educational resource, community hub and environmental demonstration site for residents, visitors, and volunteers on various topics such as gardening, planting natives and sustainability in the home and backyard. These gardens, operated by The Hills Shire Council, were established and are maintained by passionate volunteers, including APS members. Many Australian native plants have been planted with an emphasis on those plants which provide a good source of nectar for the birds and bush food for we mortals. It was a joy to walk around the gardens and view the native plants growing there and full credit to those volunteers who put their passion and efforts into maintaining it. I can highly recommend a visit to the Centre.
In the afternoon, over 39 members attended the Gumnut Community Centre for the Annual General Meeting and presentation on Threatened Flora of the Cumberland Plain by Dan Clarke.
At the AGM, John Desmond was elected President, Harry Loots, Treasurer and Merle Thompson, as a Board Member. There were no other nominations for the board, including Vice President. It is sad to see that members are reluctant to join the board. If the trend continues it will be difficult to keep the Society functioning in an active role. After many years, having served as President, Vice President, member of the Board and organiser of the Quarterly meetings and annual get-together, I decided not to stand again for a board position. I had hoped that I could pass on the baton to some other member but sadly, to no avail.
Congratulations to Jeff House (North Shore Group) and Pat Lahey (Armidale Group) who were unanimously accepted as Life Members for their enormous contributions to the objectives of APS NSW. They are both worthy recipients of the highest accolade the Society can bestow on its members. Pat was unable to attend the presentation, which will be made to him at the November Get-together being hosted by the Armidale Group.
Following the AGM, Dan Clarke gave an excellent presentation on the Cumberland Plain and its threatened vegetation, as well as on several listed threatened flora species that Dan has monitored over the years for the NSW Saving our Species Program. Hopefully a summary of Dan’s talk will be placed on the Society’s website for all to view.
Jeff Howes being presented with his Life Membership by APS President, John Desmond, and Sue Fredrickson, North Shore Group representative.
The gathering finished with a sumptuous afternoon tea which was generously provided by members of the Parramatta Hills Group. We were spoiled by the choices of food on offer and any idea of dieting was thrown out the window, as we tucked into the wide variety of gourmet delights on offer. During the afternoon tea, we were able to catch up with friends we hadn’t seen since the last gathering and take the opportunity to buy plants for the garden. Whilst browsing the plants on offer my wife, Liz, commented that there was no room in our garden for any more plants, to which I replied “I can always find space for another plant”
Once again, many thanks to the members of the Parramatta Hills Group for their warm welcome and for ensuring that the day was a wonderful success.
Afternoon tea which was generously provided by members of the Parramatta Hills Group.