How can APS members be more effective in conservation efforts? A talk by Chris Gambian, CEO of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Conserving native plants has always been a core value of APS. In the recent APS NSW survey, members expressed that they want us to increase our focus on conservation. So on the 16th March 2022, at our quarterly APS NSW gathering, Chris Gambian was invited to come and talk to the group about how APS NSW can be more effective in conservation efforts.
APS members winning awards – Margaret Baker OAM
Blue Mountains APS member awarded OAM
“Oh my goodness, what have they done now?“ was Margaret Baker’s reaction when she opened the email bearing the very surprising message that she had received a 2022 OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia)
Grants for native plants projects
Do you have a project that will benefit native plants? APS NSW has a fund and may be willing to contribute to your project.
The project has to meet the society’s aims – namely, assist in growing, propagating, conserving or promoting native plants.
District Group highlights – 2021 part 2
Here are the highlights from APS NSW district groups from their activities in 2021. Last month, highlights from other groups were shared.
Remembering Graham and Margaret Walters
We are very sorry to report the deaths of long-term APS members Graham and Margaret Walters, long term and passionate members of APS NSW
Remembering Kyrill Taylor
Kyrill Taylor was a valued member of East Hills Group (now Harbour Georges River) for thirty years.
District Group highlights – 2021
Here are the highlights from APS NSW district groups from their activities in 2021
How to log in to the APS NSW website, as a member
The APS NSW website has sections that are open to the public as well as areas that are members only. Here are instructions to login…
Vale Dot Gallagher
Nowra Group are saddened that Dot Gallagher passed away on 22nd December 2021 but glad that this feisty woman only had about two months of lost independence.
Remembering Gordon Brooks
Gordon became an expert propagator and grower of native plants. He didn’t waste much time either in becoming involved in the Parramatta and Hills Group’s activities.
Remembering life member Pat Pike
APS NSW Life member Pat Pike was a passionate educator and conservationist.
Let’s boost our confidence with Zoom!
Here are some simple instructions on how to set up and manage a Zoom meeting. Tips for Zoom meetings
Member benefit – discounted Neutrog products, Bush Tucker
APS NSW is pleased to announce a new member benefit. We have entered into an arrangement with Neutrog, producers of Bush Tucker, for members to buy Neutrog products at a discounted price online.
Thanks to Jan Williamson, assisting with board minutes
Jan joined APS when she was keen to develop a native garden to encourage native animals and birds to their home.
Thank you Jeff Howes, contributing to plant profiles
Over the years, Jeff Howes has contributed hundreds of stories and plant profiles to our website for members and visitors to learn more about native plants.
Welcome to the APS Board – Dorothy Luther
Dorothy Luther from East Hills Group has joined the APS NSW Board. Dorothy was born on a farm near Oberon so grew up in The Bush.
Lloyd Hedges thanked by NSW govt
Congratulations to Lloyd Hedges and Menai Group for their wonderful contribution to the Feed the Birds and Glossies in the Mist Project.
APS NSW direction for the next five years
Over the last 6 months, the board with district groups and members have been developing our direction for the coming 5 years. Here is a summary of where we are headed.
Central Coast District Online Plant Sale – safe and successful
In 2020, when contact was restricted due to Covid, a small working party of Central Coast got together and planned how to do our plant sale online instead…
Conservation Officer’s report – Dan Clarke
I volunteered to be the primary editor to expand the plant profile database on the APS NSW website. These profiles are the most visited pages on our website! This year, various authors, primarily Jeff Howes, Heather Miles and Rhonda Daniels drafted approximately 200 native plant profiles, with a focus on how to grow the plants in the garden…
Community contacts – answers from our experts group
Members of the community contact the APS NSW office email with a wide variety of questions. Glenda Browne summarises recent queries.
APS NSW Quarterly at Kurnell
Anne from Northern Beaches Group reports on the APS NSW Quarterly Gathering at Kurnell in May including the Banks/Solander walk in Kamay Botany Bay National Park.
APS NSW strategy draft
Over the last 6 months, the board has been developing a new five year strategy for APS NSW. Our last strategy went from 2017 – 2020, so it is timely to rethink where we are headed, as the world keeps changing!
Congratulations to life member Leonie Hogue
Congratulations to life member Leonie Hogue from Sutherland Group.
Congratulations to life member Kris Gow
Congratulations to new life member Kris Gow from Southern Highlands Group.
Congratulations to John Arney for APS Conservation Award
Congratulations to John Arney from Sutherland Group, who received the APS NSW Conservation Award at our AGM in May 2021.
Remembering life member Betty Rymer
One of Betty’s garden design messages was – don’t interfere with nature. Betty will be remembered as a passionate scientist, researcher, gardener, teacher, writer, and supporter of native plants. She was ever so wise, ever so polite. She was an inspiration, and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed!
ANPSA Conservation report, April 2021, Dr Eddy Wajon
The ANPSA national Conservation Officer, Dr Eddy Wajon, reports on myrtle rust, bushfires and other conservation matters at April 2021.
APS NSW Strategy update
Here is an update on the opportunities and challenges ahead for us, as a society, and what our next three-year strategy needs to deliver for us. Your feedback as always is very welcome.
Meet a member – Jennifer McLean, Northern Beaches
Northern Beaches member Jennifer McLean shares how she became interested in Australian native plants, her life on a bush block and volunteering at Stony Range Botanic Garden.
Event posters from the 1980s
Enjoy several posters promoting our large public events in the late 1980s. The spectacular flower displays attracted much public interest.
Summer 2020/21 issue of Australian Plants
The Summer 2020/21 issue of Australian Plants is the second issue commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Endeavour voyage: 1770–2020. Titled ‘Along the east coast of Australia’, it was produced by Lawrie Smith AM of Native Plants Queensland.
Have your say – APS direction for the next 3 years
There’s an old saying that if you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t know when you get there! And so it goes with setting a strategy for APS NSW.
ANPSA reports from Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, November 2020
Recently, ANPSA held its annual meeting, at which the different state bodies reported. Some provided written reports on activities during the year – Queensland, Victoria and SA. These reports are included here.
Who am I?
• Enjoys holidays on sleeper trains
• Volunteers with the Pyjama Foundation, where she reads and plays with children in foster care
• Born in South Africa
• Trained as a librarian
• Gets paid to read books
• Won a prize for determining how to alphabetise index entries starting with the word ‘The’
Helping members and the public with their queries – the Experts Group
Australian Plant Society members and non-members from around Australia come to APS NSW as a source of expert knowledge about Australian plants. Questions arrive mainly via email, and occasionally through our Facebook and Instagram pages. I receive the questions and redirect them to our Experts Group. The group has eleven members who were recommended to me as being knowledgeable about Australian plants, and happy to share their knowledge.