PRESIDENT Marcia Bonhame: bondura@harboursat.com.aup: 6337 1117

VICE PRESIDENT Gillian Baldwine: gbaldwin60@hotmail.comp: 6332 1583

SECRETARY Lyn Burgette: lburgett@assumption-bathurst.nsw.edu.aup: 6331 9170

TREASURER Joanna McLachlane: bandoola1@bigpond.comp: 6337 3810a: ‘Bandoola’, 1566 Orange Road Bathurst 2795

PUBLICITY OFFICER Val Fenne: cv@skymesh.com.aup: 6337 1509

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Bev Wodrowe: oxley1885@ix.net.aup: 6337 5030

STATE COUNCIL DELEGATE Merle Thompsone: merleaps@bigpond.com

PLANT STEWARD Sue Wakefi elde: peckatoe@harboursat.com.aup: 6337 4853 m: 0429 789 487

LIBRARIAN Val Fenne: cv@skymesh.com.aup: 6337 1509

COMMITTEE MEMBERSDonna Rathe: the.raths@bigpond.comp: 6336 9091

Fiona Johnsone: cloudyhill@bigpond.comp: 6368 5965

Vivienne Sutherlande: pixies28@harboursat.com.aup: 6331 9928

CENTRAL WEST GROUP-NEWSLETTER VOL.16 NO.6

President’s CommentAUGUST 2011

P.S. The next committee meeting is on Wednesday, August 10, 12 noon at Bathurst City Panthers Bowling Club, all members are wel-come!

WINTER IS DEFINITELY UPON US! Or is it? A delightfully short warm snap confused everyone as we tentatively put on our light cloth-ing hoping spring has arrived. Then the cold days returned with a ven-gence. But indoors, we are still snug and warm - a great opportunity to read, knit and sew, or contact old friends for a yarn. In the garden, banksias, croweas and the Flinders Range Wattle (Aca-cia iteaphylla) are fl owering, but most native plants, like the exotics, are happily having a rest, waiting to blossom forth when the weather warms up. The good thing about the native plants is that they are not deciduous, so there is still a canopy of various shades of green. On the coldest days, I remind myself, “WITHOUT WINTER, THERE IS NO SPRING!”. Enjoy your hibernation.

How lucky we were to have the opportunity for Colin Fenn to share his knowledge to design and form a bird bath out of stone! Coming together within the tranquility of the Fenn’s bush gar-

den, concentrationing on the task before us, enjoying the time working with our hands, allowing ourselves to experi-ment, patiently chipping away the forgiving stone to eventually form our own uniquely creative bird bath. It was very pleasing to see over 20 members travelling to Duramana, the home of Val and Colin Fenn, all enjoying the activity, friendships, conversa-tion and of course the sumptous food brought by all and sundry. Some of us wandered around the enviable bush garden, looking at grasses on site, and admiring the fabulous sculptures that Colin has created, not forgetting Val’s native plants, especially those banksias. Altogether a day to remember.

The Burrendong Regional Get-together is fi nally here! After months of preparation the members of Burrendong Arboreatum and APSCWDG are ready. This program has something for everyone to enjoy. With over 130 members attending we look forward to catching up with every-one. See ya there! Marcia

Fiona Johnson’s exquisite bird bath

ACACIA

Plants to look out for around Bathurst in August and Sep-tember are the colourful Acacias. Nearly thirty different species of Acacias grow naturally in the Central Table-lands. They are distinguishable by their colour, which varies from cream to very bright yellow, by their pom-pom type fl owers which can be on single stems or in bunches or strings and by their seed cases which are brown or black pods. The fl uffy appearance of the fl owers is not the whole fl ower itself, but the showy stamens, which are the part of the fl ower that carry the pollen to be fertilized by the stigma, or female part of the fl ower.

Some people attribute occurrences of asthma to Acacia pollen, but this is largely a myth. The Asthma Founda-tion reports that only about 5% of the population has an allergic reaction to Acacias. The pollen is large, heavy and sticky and not easily dispersed by wind, so a person would have to be very close to an Acacia plant to be af-fected. It has been suggested that the allergic reaction of some people to Acacias may be to the perfume of the fl ower, rather than the pollen.

Acacias grow in a range of conditions and most don’t require a lot of water, so they are ideal for water wise gar-dens. Before you buy though fi nd out the plants require-

Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle), Boundary Reserve, Bathurst Photograph: Gillian Baldwin

Gillian Baldwin APSCWDG Vice President

July in our family can be a busy time and July a couple of years ago was exceptional. Our youngest daughter had won a job close to her beloved in Victoria and moved there from Sydney, our middle daughter produced Mag-nus ( on the youngest daughters’ birthday) in Sydney, and our eldest daughter married in Kandos. We seemed to spend a fair amount of time travelling!

With a wagon full of the youngests’ bits and bobs – you know the sort of stuff that won’t fi t into anyones moving containers – purple fl uffy bathroom stool, the microwave oven and the television – we were getting ready to leave at kookaburra cackle next morn, when the radio weather guru stated that an intense low was speeding across the Central West bringing snow and gale force winds.

Rather than get snowed in, we threw a few clothes into the wagon, added a rug, and some food and took off to Victoria a day earlier than planned. From Mount David to Rockley all was well, although the sky was rather dramatic. As we got onto the recently graded dirt road toward Blayney the snow started, and the wind increased in speed, and we decreased in speed, and the cold, even with the heater at full blast, increased, and vision nearly ceased.

We crawled through Newbridge and attained Blayney, the snow was lighter. As we stopped at the intersection with the highway all the accumulated snow on the roof of the wagon continued on and landed with a great thump onto the bonnet, much to the amusement of the passers by.

The views of the Blayney hills covered with snow were stunning, and the road somewhat icy. With a day up

our sleeve, we planned to do some ‘touristing’, and take the usual 8 hour trip to Yabba North at a leasured pace. “Have you ever visited the Age of Fishes Museum in Canowindra?” That was a good idea, and the turnoff was just ahead.

The visit was well worth the few extra Kms, and we then headed south for Cowra. The sky was still bruised, swirling clouds of black and grey, and rain threatened. Obviously there had been rain a few weeks ago as the paddocks were green, and it was warmer there and the grass even looked as if it had grown.

Suddenly, sunlight appeared between clouds, and before us was a fl ood lit scene of super green grass and dividing several paddocks was the most brilliant display of wattle in full bloom. There were several shades of gold and yellow and creams with dark clouds behind, wet shiny green grass, black cattle. Wow, a photo opportunity if ever we saw one, we reached for the camera, alas, it was buried too deeply and then the rain came and the fl ood lights switched off.

Since that dramatic moment I have been collecting Aca-cia seeds, planning the ultimate display of wattle blossom along fence lines to gladden our hearts during the darkest days of winter – not to mention the nitrogen fi xing ability of legumes and the shelter afforded by windrows and the glider and bird food. This winter the worst of the fences are being replaced, and for the next 30 or so years won’t need much attention, so come spring the wattle fences are going to be started! Here’s hoping for a stunning dis-play in the future.

a brief glimpse...

Alexandra Tuson APSCWDG Member

ments. Ideally buy plants that are found naturally in the Bathurst area.

Information and native plant lists for the major towns in the region can be obtained by contacting Marcia, president of the Australian Plant Society – Central West Group, by tel 6337 1117 or email bondura@harboursat.com.au,

National Wattle Day: 1st September

BURRENDONG Botanic Garden & Arboretum

Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum Edited from BBG&A Walk Leafl et.

2011 REGION GET-TOGETHERBurrendong ArboretumWellington, NSWSat 27th & Sun 28th AugustBurrendong Arboretum & APSCW Group are jointly hosting this year’s event

The Arboretum will be at its best in early spring so come and join us in an exciting and varied pro-gram over two days, with some interesting options afterwards

As accommodation could be limited, it is impor-tant to book yourself in as soon as possible. Visit Wellington’s Visitor Information Centre at www.visitwellington.com.au or telephone them on 1800 621 614

What’s on:Guided walks:• Come & see Hakeas, Wattles, Mallees, Mint Bushes and The Fern GullyAngus Stewart• from ABC’s Gardening Australia will run workshops on propagation, pruning & deep stem planting. He will have his latest book for purchase & signings.Colin Fenn• , local rock carving artist, will be demonstrating how he carves native plant im-ages onto stone tablets. A completed tablet will be raffl ed over the weekend.Plant Sales:• Burrendong staff have been busy growing some of their iconic plants. Eucalyptus CD Launch:• Recently developed, so you can self-drive around & see these magnifi cent trees while listening to interest-ing facts about each species.Wellington Caves• Saturday Evening Dinner & guided tours of Cathedral & Gaden Caves or the Phosphate mine.Mount Arthur Ranger Walk• (Optional) Free Sunday afternoon following the farewell lunch. Mt Arthur is a crown reaserve for public recreation, covering about 2,123 ha with 16km of walking tracks. ‘Wildfl owers of the Pilliga Sandstone’• (Optional) Tagalong Tour - Mon. & Tues Day 1: Goonoo State Conservation Area on the outskirts of Dubbo. Renowned for the mass displays of spring fl owers. Day 2: Pillaga Forest “million wild acres”, north of Coonabarabran. Wonderful large forest has many diverse habitats, & vast displays of spectacular wildfl owers. Day 3: Optional morning walk in the nearby Timor Rock investigating the hanging swamp & rocky heath.

To register for any/all of the above, visit www.burrendongarboretum.org where you can download the registration form

For further information Contact:Mike Augee E:fossil@well-com.net.auT: 02 6845 4294

Full program & costs will be published in the next APS journal and also loaded onto Burrendong’s webpage: www.burrendongarboretum.org

This informative article is the fi fth in a series providing just a glimpse of the Arboretum’s unique and incredibly diverse Australian fl ora that are grown for display and study ensur-ing the continued enjoyment for all visitors.

The Prostanthera collection is unique because it is the very personal legacy of George Althofer, the Arboretums’ founder. The Mintbushes were George’s most favourite plants and he was to write “Cradle of Incense, the Story of Australian Pros-tanthera” in the 1970’s as a homage to the fl owers he loved. In it he described the proliferation of the Mint-bush species in a 150km circle round Wellington as well as his excursions around Australia and his con-versations with other botanists in search of the plants that so fascinated him.

George died in 1993, aged 90, but there are still many memories of him in Wellington. A short stocky man with a thatch of white hair, the bluest and most twinkly of eyes and always a ready greeting accompanied by a warm and engaging smile.

But it is George who, through his writings, gives us the clearest picture of the passion he had for plants.

“Then I shouted in sheer joy, for on a barren cement-like ridge, a fi lm of lavender with light green leaves betokened another quest completed.” (the fi rst glimpse of P. megaca-lyx on a collecting trip to the Grey Range, Q)

The Trust has recognised a unique relationship by using George’s descriptions on the signs in this area.

If you walk round the Prostanthera collection - indeed the whole Arboretum - with the same keen observation, awe and delight as George then you will add another dimension to your life and carry on George’s legacy of love for our plant heritage.

‘The Mint-bush fl owering comes as a seal of perfec-tion, for no other genus is fi lled with the joy of myriad fl owers, nor more shapely, with the added attraction of the aromatic leaves which, when scarcely brushed in passing, give to the air around a cloying sweetness, a

gift redolent of bushland fragrance.’

From “Cradle of Incense” by George Althofer

CENTRAL WEST GROUP-NEWSLETTER AUG 2011

Have you heard?NurseriesBilby Blooms of BinnawayBy appointment only, recent plant list availableNative plants for gardens & revegetation projectsContact: Annabelle or AnthonyT: 02 6844 1044E: bilby.blooms@tpg.com.au

Blue Wren Bush FarmWattle FlatInclude local seed salesContact: Geoffrey WindsorT: 02 6337 7155

Glenbrook Native Plant ReserveGreat Western Highway, GlenbrookOpen: 12pm-4pm, Sat, Sun, Wed

Oberon Plateau Farm Trees‘Bennelong’, 539 Mozart Rd. OberonNative tube stock for gardens, windbreaks, wildlife refuges and revegetation

Contact: Clea & John RalphT: 02 6335 8468E: winter@ix.net.au

Riverside Nursery171-191 Morrisset St., BathurstWe grow & stock a unique range of acclima-tised roses, trees, shrubs, conifers seedlings and native.Open: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm Sun, 10am-5pmT: 02 6331 3121

Wombat Gully Native Nursery1729 Coxs Creek Rd. Rylstone 2849We grow trees & shrubs in recycled milk cartons for revegetation projects throughout the district. 10% discountContact: Carmel Spark T: 02 6379 6202E: carmelspark@gmail.com

Have your sayWe would love to hear from youWhy not submit an article, poem or a saying for the next newsletter?Just send your ideas and articles to the news-letter editor.

New membersWe are always pleased to welcome new members. Just contact the treasurer.

THE PLANT SOCIETY LIBRARY is available to members. There is no charge for the use of books. We request that books borrowed be returned in reasonable time. The library can be expected at each outing. Members can contact Val before outings or committee meetings to confi rm the books will be there. (Details on page one) There is a wide range of interesting books. The most detailed and botanically informative are the four volumes of “Flora of New South Wales”. These are invaluable for an enthusi-ast seeking the fi ne points of identifi cation. With these superb volumes, be prepared for detailed botanical language.

From the LibrarianAs seen on TV....The family in CSU Orange water towerLog on to www.gumtreecs.com.au. And be part of a very entertaining family!

10% discount

What’s on for members?

Dates to be marked for your diary

September 25Garden visits: Marcia Bonham &Fiona & Rob Mcgregor

October 15Garden Visit:Lindy & Dennis Croucher

November 27End of year Function: Alexandra & Rod Tuson

VIEW PAST NEWSLETTERS ONLINE: http://apscw.wordpress.com/previous-newsletters/

August 27 & 28BURRENDONG ARBORETUM REGIONAL GET-TOGETHERRegistration close 15th August

For further information:Contact: Mike AugeeE: fossil@well-com.net.auT: 02 6845 4294For accommodation:www.visitwellington.com.auT: 1800 621 614

The Arboretum will be at its best in early spring so come and join us in an exciting and varied program over two days, with some interesting options afterwards

International Garden Photographerof the Year exhibition11-28 August 201110am - 4pm dailyLion Gate LodgeRoyal Botanic Garden, Sydney

For the fi rst time in Australia an exhibition of stunning images from the acclaimed IG-POTY 2010 competition will be held pre-sented by Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

Exhibited annually in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the prestigious IGPOTY ex-hibition is viewed by visitors from all over the world. The Sydney IGPOTY exhbition will showcase over 60 IGPOTY entries in-cluding winners and a selection of fi nalists from the fourth IGPOTY competition.

Exhibition entry:Friends Member $5Non-member $7.50Child $2.50 (Free for children under 10)

Further information please contact:Janine SmithFriends of the Botanic GardensJanine.Smith@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.auT: 02 9231 8182

The fi fth IGPOTY competition is now open. The closing date for submission of entries is 30 November 2011. For more details and to enter the competi-tion go to www.igpoty.com