The Redcliffe Botanic Gardens will be a valued, distinctive educational resource incorporating a diverse and rare collection of plants from the Moreton Region of South East Queensland and

displaying a practical commitment to the principles of biodiversity and conservation.

Botanic Banter Edition 64 July 2016Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, 20 Henzell St, Redcliffe, 4020

Botanical Banter Edition 64 July 2016

Contact FRBGPO Box 299Clontarf Beach 4019friendsofrbg@hotmail.com

Phone : 3889 3109

Membership OfficerRobyn Blackblackr4@optusnet.com.au

Newsletter Editorfriendsofrbg@hotmail.comPO Box 299Clontarf Beach 4019

FRBG 2016 CommitteePresident : David LergessnerSecretary: Stephen Hill Treasurer: Carla DaviesMembership: Robyn BlackCommittee members: Fay Allison, Dorine Calder,Denise Coxsen, Steffni Flores, Lesa Hepburn, Cecilia

Kendall, Claudine Sotiau.

From the President

History

On Aug 7 at 10am a wheel will come full circle. Councillor Winchester will open ‘The Wallum Centre’ as the official headquarters of FRBG. If you don’t know, the building is set between Tuckeroo and the Nursery.

I was recently asked to give a talk on the ‘History of the Gardens’ to the Redcliffe Historical Society. Preparing for the talk reminded me of over 40 years of memories from the establishment of the Redcliffe Education Centre with the Johnman-Loveday Track to the Wallum Project to the environmental centre which I ran in the early 90s known as the Wallum Sub-centre of the Redcliffe and Area School Support Centre. During all that time, the building in the SE corner of the Gardens was THE headquarters BUT that changed in the mid-90s and the group was relegated to ‘occasional use’ of a wing of the main building. Moving on to today and the Moreton Bay Regional Council is about to officially hand over The Wallum Centre for our use as an invaluable social and educational resource. This will bring us back to where we were in 1993. The Centre is between Tuckeroo, which will become office space, and the Nursery.

We are hoping that as many members as possible will be present when Councillor Winchester opens the Wallum Centre at 10am August 7.

What’s Cooking in the Gardens?

Without doubt this is the highlight of our year. The flowers are blooming; the weather is fine and the crowds are fantastic. Don’t forget we need your help on the gates, in the nursery, in the Herb Garden and in the Permie area to ensure a successful result. Thanks to those who have already committed.

We are all doing very well and ‘What’s Cooking 2017?’ will be the best yet Cheers

David.

DONT FORGET :1. FRBG now has a phone number. It is only checked on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays but that is a step up – 3889 3109.

2. FRBG has a new sign-in book. This is by DATE so please make sure you sign in on the correct date and don’t sign in for the following day.

3. FRBG no longer has a message book. There are now whiteboards available in the Nursery for passing on essential messages. If you can’t write, use the magnets to affix paperwork.

AND then there’s ‘What’s Cooking?’ Sunday August 7 9am – 3pm.

Botanic Gardens ‘Open Day’ success

It was great that FRBG was a part of the FIRST ( read inaugural but that’s a BIG word ) BGANZ Open Day across Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to the volunters who participated on the day. Estimates were that over 100 visitors participated. BUT it was not only about the visitors and thanks to the BBQ team lead by George who allowed the disparate groups which make up FRBG to come together ( as the Beatles would say ) and appreciate how many volunteers work in such different areas in the Gardens. And it was topped off with a wedding!!!!! Thanks to Stephen and Mick for the photos. ( Wedding photo with permission )

But the highlight goes to Helen. How more appropraite than for Helen to appear with a wheelbarrow full of weeds just as I was setting off with a tour group? Round of applause for Helen.

Pencil the date in for 2017 – the last Sunday in May.

I’ll be thinking of you on my long awaited world cruise which departs the week before

Botanic Banter Edition 64 July 2016Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, 20 Henzell St, Redcliffe, 4020

The Wallum Centre

Why should Council provide Friends with a headquarters when there are ‘Roads, Rates and Rubbish’ to consider? Obviously because Councils in 2016 are about more than the 3Rs.

How will FRBG utilise the Wallum Centre?

One of the immediate beneficiaries will be the Herb Group. For those not aware, the Herb Group is an independent group under the umbrella organization which is FRBG. The Herb Group will have a secure place to store their records and hold their regular meetings. Their herbarium will form part of the FRBG herbarium in the new Centre.

FRBG will benefit because it now has its own premises. It is not the premises FRBG was hoping to have – the original Redcliffe Education Centre – BUT – FRBG can build on the base Council has provided.

The building has an excellent kitchen which can be used by FRBG and any other groups using the building. ( Just bring your own tea, coffee, milk and goodies ). There is flexible meeting space within the building which will allow meetings to be held both within the building and on the deck of the building. The concrete surrounds can also be used as meeting spaces. The rear room is ideal as library, storage space for equipment used with educational groups, work space and as a location for the herbariums associated with the Gardens.

This building will be a tremendous asset to the Moreton Bay Regional Council community.

Tuckeroo is being refurbished by FRBG as office space because it is a secure location with phone and therefore internet access. In time, it will double as an Information Centre for the Gardens too.

AND this is just the beginning.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Out! Out! Damned Cocos Palms

FRBG members have NOT planted a single Cocos Palm. Nobody planted any of the thousands of Cocos palms growing in the Gardens. YET FRBG comes under attack for not controlling these plants.

Unfortunately the black bats eat them when their usual food supplies are depleted. They come back to the Gardens; suck the flesh of the seeds and drop the seeds to the ground. You guessed it. The ground especially in the rainforest is exceptionally fertile and hey presto a crop of Cocos palms.

It doesn’t help that some years ago the rainforest area was sealed off because of OH&S concerns.

It should be remembered that a crop is NOT a canopy. The Deception Bay High Year 10 Horticulture class has actively supported FRBG volunteers in removing Cocos Palm seedlings throughout the rainforest. There are still more there. There will be more next week and the week after and … The FRBG team just has to be vigilant and ensure that no seedlings grow to mature seed bearing palms. I am 100% sure FRBG is on top of that situation through the great work of our volunteers and crews like the Deception Bay SHS team. Happy to have more team members here any time.

Botanic Banter Edition 64 July 2016Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, 20 Henzell St, Redcliffe, 4020

Grant applications

The FRBG team has been very successful in grant applications in recent times. A Moreton Bay Regional Council Community Group’s grant saw FRBG able to provide the large aluminium-topped work benches in the Nursery last year. The team is currently putting together an application for a grant for computer hardware and software which will enhance our ability to keep records with updated and new equipment in our new office space and in the nursery.

Another successful grant has come via the Federal Government’s Department of Social Services. Last year FRBG applied for just over $1100 for purchasing new and replacement equipment to ensure volunteers were equipped with the best tools and that FRBG had enough tools for times when groups such as the crew from DBay High arrive to volunteer with FRBG.

FRBG currently has an application with the Redcliffe Uniting Church for an additional native stingless bee hive for the Gardens. There is a lot of interest in these bees given the problems with European bees at the moment. Fingers crossed. Don’t expect FRBG to be selling honey from the Nursery as it takes around 2 years for a hive to produce enough honey for a small jar .

Volunteer participation rates

Many people pay their annual fee and are happy to support FRBG at that level BUT since the beginning of the year, the number of people actively arriving on a Monday for the Herb Group or Tuesday. Thursday and Saturday for FRBG and the Permies is regularly in double figures. Many volunteers have no idea how many other volunteers are actually participating until everyone gets together for morning tea which can now be held in the Wallum Centre.

Wallum Centre Opening Ceremony

Many members will already be present on Sunday Aug 7 volunteering on the gates or at the Herb, Permie and Nursery areas. The actual opening ceremony is being performed by Councilor Winchester at 10am. ALL members are invited to attend this special event which will be held at the northern end of the building. Who knows? Don Burke might even attend … MIGHT..Fay.

Constitution review

It is now 5 years since the last review of the FRBG Constitution. FRBG has evolved substantially since then and I will be drafting a revision while I am driving the EH round Australia in the coming months. I will be emailing all members a copy of the current constitution in the coming days. There will be hard copies available for borrowing in the Nursery. Changes to Constitutions are always greeted with much enthusiasm by members and I hope this one will be as painless as possible. Happy to hear from any members with ideas for changes and especially from those members who like to debate every second word as soon as possible so that your thoughts can be considered. I would hope to take a motion to a Special Meeting immediately after the AGM in February to replace the current constitution with the new version.

David’s absence

While I am cruising Australia in the coming weeks, Robyn Black has agreed to be the ‘go to’ person for FRBG and Mick Flannery is learning how to conduct Garden’s tours. Thanks and best wishes to both Robyn and Mick.

Botanic Banter Edition 64 July 2016Redcliffe Botanic Gardens, 20 Henzell St, Redcliffe, 4020