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NEWSLETTER OF THE FRIENDS OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS CRANBOURNE, INC.

One person’s spectacular flower is another person’s interesting parasite!

Flashes of the vivid orange-yellow flowers of Nuytsia floribunda grace the Australian landscape around Perth at this time of year. This Western Australian native has recently been a focus in the Australian Garden. Growing on Howson Hill, Nuytsia floribunda or (Western Australian Christmas tree) has attracted a lot of interest. This plant is rarely cultivated in eastern Australia, and the magnificent specimen on Howson Hill is unusual in this part of the world. The RBG is currently investigating whether the tree should be on the Significant Tree Register for Victoria.

The reason that I mention nuytsia is that I hosted a visitor from the University of California, Professor Jim Doyle, who is an eminent researcher into the evolutionary history of plants. When he visited Melbourne in 2011 for the Botanical Congress he did not come to Cranbourne, preferring to examine various interesting plants along the rainforest border in Melbourne. His recent visit to Melbourne was to have a similar purpose, as he wanted to see some of the primitive flowering plants unique to Australia at a different time of year. I convinced Jim to come out to Cranbourne and we spent an afternoon looking at Australian plants.

While he was especially interested in the various representatives of the Sterculiaceae (Malvaceae) family that happened to be in flower he also has

Director’s Report

Professor David Cantrill

Acting Director RBG Cranbourne

Friends of the Royal BotanicGardens Cranbourne, Inc.1000 Ballarto RoadCranbourne Victoria 3977

Inc no. A0025281B ABN 43 551 008 609

Web address:http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/support/support-groups/friends-of-rbg/cranbourne

Highlights

in this issue

Quilt Exhibition 5

Bushfood Festival 6

Annual Luncheon 6

Recent Photo workshop 9

Amyema pendula, drooping mistletoe, flowers

The magnificent Nuytsia floribunda on Howson Hill in the Australian Garden

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an interest in parasitic plants—not because they are parasites but for the highly modified floral parts within this group. Having never been to Perth or Western Australia he was interested to see the parasitic Nuytsia floribunda, a species he had heard about but never seen. Nuytsia is one of the primitive members of the Loranthaceae family and closely related to the mistletoes. We went on to look at the closely related Amyema pendula (mistletoe) in the conservation zone and also Exocarpos cupressiformis (cherry ballart) from a related family (Santalaceae). As an interesting aside, the primitive members of the Loranthaceae are all root parasites, unlike the mistletoes, and this indicates an evolutionary shift in the niche occupied. Although Jim’s interest might seem eclectic it does highlight the need to be thinking all the time about how visitors interact with the garden and the layers of information that we might build into the garden through the plants displayed. Everybody can get something out of the garden, whether it is a stunning visual display or a deeply interesting scientific observation.

Curatorial planning in the Australian Garden

Staff are currently developing curatorial plans for each precinct in the Australian Garden. These plans look at the match between the design intent, the RBG objectives and the current status of the precincts, which will provide us with a framework for maintaining and developing the Garden. This approach makes sure that we remain faithful to the design. These curatorial plans are already allowing us to identify areas that, while currently looking great, are not fulfilling the design intent. The planning process is also an opportunity for us to question the plant palette used and look at alternatives. Some of the questions we consider are: What scientific value have we built into the garden? What are our science objectives for the AG? Or even, what role does the Australian Garden play in plant conservation? As a botanic garden we have a remit for plant conservation and it

would be great if we could align the plantings more with plants that need conserving in the wild. Indeed there is discussion in the conservation community about the role of gardens in conserving plants that no longer grow in the wild because of shifts in climate. So while the curatorial plans provide a framework for the Garden they might also offer the opportunity to expand the range of species planted to build other values such as that experienced by Jim.

Other news

We have been in the new administration building since October and it is working well. Recent tours for RBG Melbourne staff have elicited building envy and I have even been asked by Melbourne staff if I am intending to stay at Cranbourne! While staff have settled into the new surrounds we still have several tasks to complete as we move onto the next stage of the depot redevelopment (reinstallation of the steam shed and the soil bays in the nursery area).

Visitation to the RBG Cranbourne continues to grow and we have seen a marked increase, perhaps due to the milder weather of late spring and early summer. However, the weather that makes up our climate continues to challenge: we have just had the first hot days of summer with consequent concerns for the garden and conservation zone. Unfortunately this hot spell fell across our key summer Family Fun Day event sponsored by South East Water and the City of Casey. Last year we had nearly 2500 visitors, but the 40-plus temperatures saw about only 400 visitors brave the weather. Despite the low numbers, the sponsors appreciated the opportunity to engage with the local community and to provide quality information, something that has been a challenge when there are large numbers and queues for activities. Indeed South East Water are looking at ways that they can engage with the public further through the RBG.

Growing Friends autumn plant sale

Special Members DayThursday 13 March, 10.00am–2.00pmAt the Nursery, in the depot area.

General public saleSaturday & Sunday 15 & 16 March10.00am–4.00pm

In the Gardens, – follow the signs in the Carpark.

Discount of 15% for MembersCash or cheque only

Put the dates of the winter and spring sales in your diary right now!

Grevillea lanigera, ‘Mount Tamboritha’, just one of the magnificent plants on sale

WinterMembers & StaffThursday 24 July, 10.00am–2.00pm

General PublicSaturday 26 & Sunday 27 July10.00am–4.00pm

SpringMembers & StaffThursday 23 October,10.00am–2.00pm

General PublicSaturday 25 & Sunday 26 October10.00am–4.00pm

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Writing this report at the end of the mid-January heatwave, I have been reflecting on the incredible toll it has wrought and thinking about what could have been. Everyone will have had their own experiences of the heatwave, but it was most unfortunate that it coincided with the City of Casey and South East Water Fun Day at the Australian Garden. Based on last year’s attendance, some 3000 guests were expected, but only about 400 came this year—and who could blame them, with temperatures in the 40s! To publicise our forthcoming activities, the Friends had mounted a stand, which attracted no more people than could be counted on the fingers of two hands. My thanks to those who stood by the stand under such trying conditions. In the Boon Wurrung Café, your President and his wife shared the space with four other people at the height of lunchtime rush! All very disappointing, but that is Melbourne.

Not disappointing was the large response we received to an email sent to members just prior to the New Year and three days ahead of an organised visit to the Nuytsia floribunda (West Australian Christmas tree), which was in full flower. This demonstrated how effective emails are in providing timely information to members. We are working on providing frequent short bulletins between Naturelink issues. We currently have email addresses for some 75 per cent of our members; if we do not have yours, please email it to Helen Morrow at <morrowh@tgupload.com.au> so we can let you know about interesting events very quickly.

I reported in the last issue of Naturelink that the administration staff had moved into their new building. Progress has been made

on the new Friends Centre: plans are being completed and construction is likely to start in late February, but please read about it in more detail elsewhere in this issue of Naturelink. In another article you will read about the development of the fine new Friends Nursery to which possum-proof netting has now been fitted. Occupation of the nursery is still some weeks off as we go to press, but when completed it will provide a fine working environment and I am sure it will attract new members and increase plant production.

On the social side we have a busy program in the early part of 2014. By the time you open this newsletter, the Bookfest will have taken place, but then there is the Quilt Exhibition and the Autumn Plant Sale, which are both ‘must attend’ events. Leesa Chandler has donated a beautiful quilt for the Friends raffle. Details of all these events are included elsewhere in Naturelink, so I will not repeat them here. We unfortunately had to cancel the Brunch in the ‘Figgy Forest’ because of the extremely hot weather forecast for the day.

I am very pleased to welcome Di Marshall to the Activities Sub-committee and James McKee to the General Committee. Once again I would encourage you to step up, bring your ideas and experience along, and take part in one of the many activities that we have on offer.

From the President

Richard Clarke

Membership update

Helen Morrow

Once again our membership has increased: this quarter, 19 new members have joined the Friends. We gain a few new members each month, no doubt due to the fantastic gardens we support.

A warm welcome to the following members: Amy Akers, Janet Bate, Susanne Bradley, Elva Clementson, Margaret & Peter Dumergue, Nathalie Francis, Audrey Goldburg, Dorothy Maxwell, Andrew Sinclair, Sue Spicer, Susan,

Aaron, William, Sarah & Charles Ring, Paul & Susan Thorpe, Sherry Vogrig.

I hope we can catch up with many of you at some of the activities. There is a great program planned for this year—something for all ages. Details are advertised in the newsletter, check them out, then just fill in the booking form on the Naturelink wraparound and send it off to the Friends Bookings.

You may have noticed that this issue of Naturelink is smaller than usual.

December and January are lighter months for activities, so there are fewer things to report on.

Some of our regular writers were unable to supply their contributions this time, but we look forward to seeing them in the next issue.

The editors would be very pleased to receive any feedback you may have about Naturelink: what you enjoy, what might be improved.

Email us at <susanfunder@live.com.au> or <ggartlan@tpg.com.au> or ring us on 0409 864 237 (Susan) or 5281 7569 (Gill).

Naturelink lite!

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R E G U L A R M O N T H LY A C T I V I T I E SThe Friends RBG Cranbourne run several regular monthly activities, which are described below. If you are interested in participating in any of these activities, even on an irregular basis, please ring or email the contact person, or just turn up. Don’t worry if you don’t have specific skills, you will learn on the job, and you will be made most welcome!

Press Gang1st Monday 9am–2pm

Maud Gibson Room

Contact Nola Foster 9583 5731

We find, photograph and collect plant specimens at each stage of their development in the RBG Cranbourne, and ensure that relevant details—locations, appearance, the substrate they are found on, and habitat—are recorded. These specimens are then dried and mounted for herbarium collections at the RBGC, and the National Herbarium at the RBG Melbourne.

The Press Gang are looking forward to our new designated location in a few months, as this will give us full-time access to a work area.

The members of the Press Gang are requesting a name change—we are tired of being asked if we are involved in ‘publicity’, or if we press flower petals to make gift cards. The current choice for a new title is Herbarium Collectors, but we are open to suggestions.

We have just very regretfully said ‘au revoir’

to one of our wonderful photographers, George Wardrop. George has been with us since the first collection day in November 2001. A man of great talent, George, along with Robin Allison and Dan Lindsten, is responsible for all the photos in our database. He has also taken the photo accompanying our Naturelink report each issue. Due to travel distance, age and poor health, George has retired. We will miss his grand ideas, great wit and quotes from Shakespeare, but hope he will visit from time to time.

Thus we are on the quest for another photographer to join our group. Requirements: come on our bushwalk/plant hunt each month, be skilled in taking excellent close-up photos of plants, often from difficult angles, and work alongside Robin and Dan to help to transfer the selected photos to our computer database.

Seed CollectorsWe meet on an ad hoc basis

ContactRichenda Harrison 9885 2744 0438 852 744 richendaharrison@ gmail.com

We gather and process seed for the RBGC seed stock. The seed collected is used by the Growing Friends Nursery and by the Gardens for regeneration of the bushland.

Our meetings are irregular, as the peak time for the group is November to March. Most of the 2–3 hour sessions are on Thursdays, and involve a range of activities: reconnaissance, collection and processing, and documentation.

It is great to have such a keen and enthusiastic group of people, of whom between 5–8 turn up regularly to tramp through soaking rain or boiling heat to tag and note the plants whose seeds are needed by the Gardens’ staff for their work. These seeds are also available for the use of the Growing Friends.

Since our first reconnaissance walk with Cali Saltzmann in September 2013 we have conducted eight very productive and enjoyable sessions. Cali has been an encouraging and patient teacher and demonstrator of all sorts of skills, sharing her marvellous knowledge of Australian plants with us so willingly. We have learned so much and had lots of fun together.

Initially Cali gave us a great session on identifying members of the pea family in

George Wardrop demonstrating a difficult angle!

Botanical Illustrators1st and 3rd Wednesday 10am–3pm

Maud Gibson Room

Contact: Margaret Holloway 0438 985 382 margaretmholloway@yahoo.com

We are a small, friendly group of artists of varying experience, who meet to paint and draw together (without tuition). This allows us to share ideas, information and give each other encouragement and support. We hold exhibitions at various galleries. We also run botanical art classes.

Botanical art classes

Term One has started with a full class. Our new tutor, Marta Salamon—whose work is mainly focused on Australian flora, especially

that of Western Australia—has brought a wealth of information and expertise to the class.

A reminder that classes will now be held on the second and fourth Wednesday from 10am to 3pm during school term. Term two will commence on 23 April. Class fees are $210 per term for members of the Friends and $235 for non-members. Numbers are limited to ten, allowing for personal attention. It is suitable for both beginners and more experienced artists.

order to collect seed later, but as they were inadvertently mown off that plan did not work!

The main area where we have recently been collecting seed is the track along the inside of the fence running down Ballarto Road from the main gate. The plants required were tagged when flowering during October to December and we have been able to find and collect seed of Sphaerolobium vimineum, Acacia oxycedrus, Dillwynia sericea, Thysanotus multiflorus, to name a few. Some plants with minute seeds such as stylidium were bagged with stockings to catch the seed as it ripens. It is all very rewarding and worthwhile work.

We also inspected and tagged plants in the Australian Garden with Bron Swartz (who also works in the Nursery) and these have been checked and collected mostly by Charles Vernon with others of us able to check them occasionally.

The collecting season usually continues till about March and we finish by processing and storing the seeds for future use.

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Growing Friends

Every Thursday

Growing Friends Nursery

ContactsMarjanne Rook 9769 7881 marjannerook@ iinet.net.au

Don Dower 9736 2309 0401 611 173 djdower@optusnet.com.au

We propagate a great variety of Australian native plants that have been sourced from the Gardens, and have great fun doing it. The plants are used for educational purposes as giveaways, and for raising funds for selected projects for the Gardens.

We need more Growing Friends!

We still need more Growing Friends. It does not matter if you do not have experience, and knowledge of Australian plants is useful but not essential—you’ll learn as you go.

Working bees are every Thursday and although the hours are flexible, we start at 9.30am and finish at 2.00pm, or later if you wish. We do take time for morning tea and lunch so it is not all hard work. If you are at all interested, please contact Marjanne.

Plant sales

The spring plant sale went very well—sunny weather, cheerful helpers and of course lovely plants. We sold many and made about $8500.

The autumn plant sale will start with a Member’s Day on Thursday 12 March at the Nursery followed by Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 March in the Gardens. During the January heatwave, you may have lost some plants and, as we all know, autumn is a good time for planting, so come to our plant sale and check out our nice selection for some replacement plants. Prices start at $3.00. Be sure to bring cash or a chequebook as we do not accept credit cards.

A few of our plants at our autumn sale

You may remember that in the summer

edition of Naturelink I mentioned the Xanthosia rotundifolia (southern cross). We now have some 28 in stock and we hope by March they will be big enough to sell. It is a sprawling perennial, H 30cm x W 50cm with rounded, toothed, dark green leaves and white flowers forming a cross in spring (see picture in summer Naturelink or check on the internet).

We have a good selection of grevilleas. If you are looking for some groundcover, the grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’, with a spread of about 3–4m with divided leaves, bronze new growth and red toothbrush flowers most of the year could be good choice.

Then there is the lovely Grevillea lanigera (‘Mt Tamboritha’)—a lovely compact and hardy groundcover H 0.2–0.4m x 1m across with attractive silvery grey/green foliage. Clusters of pinkish-red and cream flowers in spring and autumn. Suitable for rockeries and containers and frost hardy.

Also we have quite a few of Grevillea preissii (seaspray)—a low, spreading, grey-leaved groundcover H 0.5– 1m to 3m across with of clusters small, bright red flowers in winter and spring. All soils, including as the name indicates, coastal. Could be planted and pruned as low growing hedge. All attract nectar-loving birds.

Special orders

Don’t forget, for special plant wishes—large or small—contact Don or Marjanne. We may have them in stock or can endeavour to grow them.

We work with fabric crafts (hand sewing, machine sewing and embroidery) using materials or designs featuring and highlighting the beauty of Australian native plants.

We also host exhibitions and provide items for prizes and gifts for Friends activities.

Fabric Crafts and Quilting Exhibition

It’s on!

Our 4th Fabric Crafts and Quilting Exhibition is being held in the Auditorium of the Visitor Centre, from Saturday 1 March through to the Labour Day holiday on Monday 10 March, from 10am to 4pm each day.

Come along and see the superb ‘Under the Australian Sun’ range of fabrics depicting our native flora. Leesa Chandler from Chandlers Cottage has designed them, and Leesa, who is a member of our Friends group, is proudly sponsoring and curating the exhibition. Exhibits from all over the country feature the Australian theme in flora, fauna and landscape. There is no entry fee and everyone is invited to come and bring lots of friends. It is also a good opportunity to take a walk through the Australian Garden or to take a ride on the Garden Explorer.

There are lots of useful and beautiful craft items made by members of the Botanical Fabricators group and you can also purchase ‘Under the Australian Sun’ fabrics and other items from Chandlers Cottage.

Leesa has donated a really beautiful large queen size quilt, which we are raffling, and tickets are only $2.00 each. The winner will be drawn on Monday 10 March. All proceeds will assist in the development and maintenance of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Cranbourne.

Botanical Fabricators

2nd Tuesday 10am

Maud Gibson Room

Contact Gwen Elliot 8774 2483

This beautiful quilt by Leesa Chandler will be the first prize in a raffle conducted by the Friends during the Quilt Exhibition

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This exciting activity is a joint venture between the Friends RBG Cranbourne and the staff of RBG Cranbourne. The planning has not been finalised at the time of printing Naturelink, but we can give you an inkling of what is likely to happen on that weekend and the activities the Friends will be involved with.

The RBG Cranbourne Horticultural staff hope to be running a Propagating Bushfoods activity in the gardens nursery. The timeslots are likely to be 10am to noon on the Saturday and from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on the Sunday.

FRBGC will also have an information table for the two days and will also be helping with a Bushfoods Workshop on the Sunday.

We are asking for Friends members to assist in the propagation activity and are likely to need 2–3 people for each session plus help on the Information Table during the weekend.

Please contact our Secretary, Helen Kennedy, at <hmken1@bigpond.net.au> to let her know if you can help out on the day.

More information about this activity will be available soon on the RBG Cranbourne website (<http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/whats-on>) and we will send more information by email when the planning has been finalised.

It is time to book for our Annual Luncheon. Last year we switched to having a luncheon instead of an evening affair and it worked well. Blakes Feasts, who run the Boon Wurrung Café, provide a delicious meal. Last year we had a great response and all tickets were sold, so you will need to get your booking in quickly. We will be having our Silent Auction operating in the foyer with great items to be purchased at bargain prices.

Joint activity with RBG Cranbourne

Bushfood weekend in the Australian Garden

Saturday 12 & Sunday 13 April

10am–4pm

Annual Luncheon

Saturday 3 May

11.30am for 12 noon luncheon

Tarnuk Room, Boon Wurrung Café, Australian Garden$45 per person

Syzygium australe, ‘AATS’, in the Living Cities Exhibition Garden. The white flowers develop

into bright red succulent and tasty elongated fruits.

Our guest speaker, Bill Thomas, Head of Sustainable Practices at the Bentleigh Secondary College

A number of Australian citrus relatives are becoming more popular for bush tucker.

Australian Red Centre lime is a hybrid cultivar that can be grown successfully in Victoria.

Not only do we have a lovely location and good food, but we have another amazing speaker. Bill Thomas PSM (Public Service Medal) is a teacher, passionate about sustainability. He is Head of Sustainable Practice at Bentleigh Secondary College, where he has been on the staff since 1985, 29 years. The title of his address will be ‘Sustainable practices at Bentleigh Secondary College’.

Some of Bill’s many achievements while heading the Department of Sustainability are the awards the school has received, among them ‘The Most Sustainable Education Institution’ in the International Green Awards announced in London in November 2012. The school’s most recent award was the Premier’s Sustainability Award for Education in October 2013. Bill was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2012.

Details are on the booking form/flyer inserted into this issue of Naturelink. Please fill in the booking form and mail it to Bev Roberts. Enquiries to Bev Roberts on 9391 3393 or 0408 378 615.

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Discovery morning

Bentleigh Secondary College Sustainability Garden

Thursday 22 May

9.30am BYO morning tea for 9.45am start finish at about 12 noon

Bentleigh Secondary College, Vivien Street, East Bentleigh 3165 (Melway 77 K3)

$15 members $20 non-members

This discovery morning is likely to be one of the highlights of the year for the Friends. We are very fortunate that Bill Thomas, Head of Sustainable Practices at the College, will host our visit. Bill was a Churchill Scholarship recipient in 2012 and he is the guest speaker at our Annual Luncheon on Saturday 3 May.

At Bentleigh Secondary College sustainability has been a focus and driving force for their teaching and learning program as well as for their role in the wider community.

In November 2012 at the International Green Awards held in London, Bentleigh Secondary College was named the ‘Most Sustainable Education Institution’ globally. A ‘real feather in their cap’—you could say!

Last year the college was recognised in three ResourceSmart awards for Water, Biodiversity and ResourceSmart Teacher of the Year. Bill Thomas received the 2012 United Nations of Australia Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment.

The College has a very strong ongoing commitment to sustainability. They have installed a 50,000 litre and a 125,000 litre water tank to harvest rainwater, which are both plumbed into the toilet blocks for flushing. They have also constructed a wetland area on school

grounds to capture the excess stormwater that can’t be harvested by the tanks. This excess water is treated as it travels through the wetland plants and is then channelled into a 50,000-litre underground storage tank that in turn is connected to a sub-surface irrigation system that irrigates one of the playing fields, further reducing use of potable water. In a typical rainfall year, the wetland area processes about 6 megalitres of water. They utilise the wetland as an outdoor classroom and it also greatly improves the

site’s biodiversity, providing valuable habitat for flora and fauna that is becoming more diverse each day.

They have planted out a single area of approximately 2500m2 of the college grounds as an urban forest. This is a full habitat restoration to the vegetation present prior to European settlement. This too is utilised as an outdoor classroom. It increases the biodiversity and reduces their carbon footprint by sequestering carbon. It is well on the way to achieving the college’s vision of not being able to see a building in Bentleigh.

They use South East Water’s HydroShare program as well as the SWEP program to monitor their water use using data loggers attached to water meters to record usage and help identify leaks within the system. Together with harvested rainwater, these initiatives have reduced their total usage of water supplied by South East Water by 91 per cent.

They have also installed a 5.25kW photovoltaic solar system to meet some of their energy requirements, reduce greenhouse emissions and reduce the college ecological footprint. Generated electricity is first used by the college, and any surplus electricity is sold back to the electricity company.

An exciting development in their renewable energy program was the installation of a state-of-the-art wind turbine on the roof of the Learning Centre. This new breed of turbine is ideally suited to urban environments.

There are many other practical projects at the college that we will also be able to observe firsthand on the day. Do not miss out on this fabulous opportunity! Book immediately to make sure of your place on the day.

Bill Thomas has suggested that people may like to have lunch at the local cafe.

Parking is OK in Margaretta & Clarence Streets after 9.30am, but you will need to be ready for a 9.45 am start.

—Rodger Elliot

Young and maturing plants in the Urban Forest at Bentleigh Secondary College

Boundary planting of the Urban Forest at Bentleigh Secondary College

A mix of shrubs and trees in the Urban Forest creates a pleasant habitat at Bentleigh Secondary College

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I came to Australia from Scotland in the spring of 1999 on a one-year working visa, looking for adventure in the great outdoors. After a brief stay in Melbourne I travelled around extensively, taking in many sights from Carnarvon and Geraldton in the west to Brisbane and Sydney in the east. After a few months of freedom I returned to Melbourne to attend the wedding of an old friend and there I met my future wife, which proved I was more interested in settling than travelling! Some 13-odd years later I definitely call Melbourne home.

After a couple of years working in warehousing and logistics I decided that I had not travelled halfway around the world to work indoors, so I determined to make the most of this land of opportunity, drew on my previous knowledge of landscaping and arboriculture and started my own tree and garden care business. The next eight years went by in a whirl—finishing my studies as an arborist, owning and operating a successful business, starting a family, now

Staff profile

Russell Gibb

Co-ordinator Infrastructure

with three beautiful young children. Australia has certainly been good to me.

The opportunity to work for the Royal Botanic Gardens came just as I needed a change in focus. As much as I loved working for myself, I wanted to devote more time to my young family, and besides, tree climbing is a young man’s game—it was time to hang up the harness!

I joined the team as Infrastructure Co-ordinator in January 2012. The passion and dedication of everyone working on the Australian Garden Stage 2 project was truly inspiring, and I will always cherish working toward the completion and grand opening of the Gardens in October as a highlight of my working career.

The people at the Australian Garden and their depth of knowledge and experience continually inspire me. Engaging on a daily basis with everyone, from the staff to the Friends and Visitors to the Gardens, is what makes this job truly rewarding.

Cathy Powers, President APS Victoria Inc, Prof. David Cantrill, Acting Director RBG Cranbourne, and Richard Clarke, President Friends RBG Cranbourne, after the presentation of cheques to David Cantrill

Photo: Bob Winters

In June 2013 one of our members, who is also a member of the Australian Plants Society, suggested to Cathy Powers, the Victorian APS Inc. President, that there was a need for funding to provide more plant labels in the Australian Garden at Cranbourne. Cathy subsequently contacted Director Chris Russell and then came back to the Friends of RBG Cranbourne, asking whether we might be able to match a donation from the APS. Having received a positive answer from the Friends, Cathy went to the APS Committee and they were pleased to offer a donation of $5000. A matching donation of $5000 from the Friends meant that RBG Cranbourne would receive $10,000 for additional labelling of plants.

In 2006 one of the APS’s regional groups, the Heathland Group, disbanded and funds that had been held by this group remained in trust, for future distribution to a worthwhile cause or causes. The amount involved was $2313 and it was agreed that this sum should be added to the donation for plant labels at Cranbourne.

This resulted in the magnificent total of $12,313, which is now being put to excellent use, from which we all will benefit in furthering our knowledge and enjoyment of our native flora. The support by the APS Victoria on this occasion is greatly appreciated and the value of their contribution will be a lasting legacy.

Cheques were handed over to RBGC Acting Director, David Cantrill, at the APS’s Victorian Annual General Meeting, held in the Auditorium at Cranbourne on Sunday 10 November 2013. On behalf of the RBG, David expressed his grateful thanks to both the Friends of RBG Cranbourne and the APS. He also briefly explained the processes that have to be undertaken in the production of labels, which many people found fascinating; they had not realised that so much work went into having labels on plants in the Australian Garden.

—Gwen Elliot

Presentation of cheques for plant labels in the Australian Garden

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photographers. But of course, there is probably no end to the workshops we could benefit from!

Thanks to Chris for his excellent guidance and to Alex Smart who organised the event.

I thought it was a great day.

—Helen Marriott

Why do we need a larger number of people helping to plan the Friends activities offered to members and non-members in 2015?

Our 2013 and to date our 2014 activities have had some very successful highlights. Some activities, however, have not been as successful as we would like, and we would really like all of the Friends activities to be successful! The Friends membership is growing and we need to cater for the range of their interests and desires. For this to happen we do need to have a greater number of people involved in planning the 2015 activities.

Can you make it on 1 June and spend a few hours in convivial company to plan an exciting and stimulating program so that we have the best shot at reflecting a wider range of Friends’ views? The day is free of any charge and comes with a copious supply

Activities planning day

We would really love your help to plan the Friends activities for 2015

Sunday 1 June

9.30am–3.30pm

Australian Garden Auditorium, RBGC

Another practical photography workshop with Chris Clarke

of gratis tea and plunger coffee, plus many scrumptious nibbles!

We meet in the Australian Garden Auditorium at 9.30am for morning tea/coffee. At 10am we start the day. We finish by 3.30pm. For all that good thinking we need sustenance and time to socialise: excellent quality morning and afternoon coffee/tea breaks guaranteed. Lunch break is at noon (best to BYO unless you want to order from Boon Wurrung Café prior to our 10am start, to be ready for collection from the Café at 12 noon).

Please RSVP to Rodger Elliot. If you have any ideas for activities, but are unable to attend the meeting, do not neglect to contact him via email at <rgelliot@optusnet.com.au>.

Hope to see you there.

—Friends RBG Cranbourne Committee

A mother and baby ringtail possum and a dusky woodswallow nesting alongside the road near the carpark were just two of the highlights on Sunday 24 November when 12 of us assembled to attend Chris Clarke’s practical photography workshop. Needless to say, there was an over-abundance of subject matter to photograph in the Garden itself, allowing us to practice some of the principles that Chris introduced during his introductory section on photographic theory. He began the day by briefly outlining the basic elements of exposure—namely shutter speed, aperture and ISO—and also gave tips on using exposure compensation and depth of field in our photographs, among other things.

Prior to our morning outdoors excursion, Chris checked the settings on our cameras, which I found most useful, and came away believing that several of the changed settings would help me to improve my photography. Some participants brought along new cameras while some others were still a bit overwhelmed by the range of digital functions and settings on their current cameras, whether these were compacts or SLR/DSLR cameras. His advice to us to study our camera handbooks as well as associated guidebooks should certainly help some of us.

The afternoon session dealt with basic follow-up work, which is done at home after taking shots and which includes cataloguing, editing as well as saving files on the computer. Chris also showed us a sample of his own digital photos, pointing out some positive features, as well as ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos where, for example, the latter had been cropped, sharpened and the colour darkened slightly. Chris uses Photoshop Elements and although he introduced some of the principal tools he employs using this software, I could easily envisage another workshop on Photoshop Elements being attractive to budding

Ringtail possums have found their niche in the Boon Wurrung Café

Photo: Graeme Coates

Up close and personal with a hibiscus Photo: Ros Sheperd

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MARCH1 Saturday – 10 MondayQuilt Exhibition, Visitor Centre Gallery & Australian Garden Auditorium, RBGC, see page 5

13 ThursdayPre-sale plant sale for members & staff, see page 2

15 Saturday & 16 SundayGrowing Friends Plant Sale, see page 2

APRIL12 Saturday & 13 SundayBushfoods Festival, joint program with RBGC, see page 6

A C T I V I T I E S C A L E N D A R F O R A U T U M N

President: Richard Clarke 5974 1750Vice President: Margaret Clarke 5974 1750Secretary: Helen Kennedy 9560 0185Immediate Past President: Margaret Clarke 5974 1750 Treasurer: Karen Russell 9878 4857Membership Secretary: Helen Morrow 9850 9125RBGC Representative: Chris Russell 5990 2200

General CommitteeJill Burness 5990 2208Rodger Elliot 8774 2483Nola Foster 9583 5731Christine Kenyon 9589 2154

James McKee 9707 2624 Bev Roberts 9391 3393Marjanne Rook 9769 7881Alex Smart 9707 5275

Naturelink EditorsSusan Funder susanfunder@live.com.au

0409 864 237

Gill Gartlan ggartlan@tpg.com.au 5281 7569

Contact details for activity group coordinators are listed under Regular Monthly Activities.

The committee meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6pm.

The Friends of RBG Cranbourne Committee

• our quarterly newsletter Naturelink • discount rates for both Melbourne and Cranbourne Friends activities • access to Friends-only activities• 15% discount on plant sales at RBG Cranbourne • access to Friends-only plant sales

• 10% discount at the Boon Wurrung Café

• 10% discount at the Gardens Shop (Melbourne and Cranbourne).

You can get an application form from the website <http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/support/support-groups/friends-of-rbg/cranbourne>, the Visitor Centre at RBG Cranbourne, or Helen Morrow, Membership Secretary on 9850 9125, or at <morrowh@tgupload.com.au>.

B E N E F I T S O F M E M B E R S H I P JOIN THE FRIENDS AND RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

MAY3 SaturdayAnnual Luncheon, Tarnuk Room, RBGC, see page 6

22 ThursdayDiscovery morning—Bentleigh Secondary College, see page 7

JUNE1 SundayFRBGC 2015 activities planning day, see page 9

What’s onRBG Melbourne Friends

Friends of RBG Melbourne are hosting the following talks. Please go to the website <http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne> for details or phone 9650 6398. Bookings are required.

Wild Capri and Stanway Spectacle: Illustrated talk by David WilkinsonTuesday 11 March, 6.00 for 6.30pm

Edible Flowers and Herbs: talk by Penny WoodwardTuesday 18 March, 10am to 12 noon

How to Grow Perfect BegoniasFriday 21 March, 10am

Garden Photography: Illustrated talk by Simon GriffithsThursday 3 April, 6.00 for 6.30pm

Gardens in Healthcare: Illustrated talk by Steven WellsWednesday 7 May, 6.00 for 6.30pm

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2014 will be a great year for FRBGC facilities

Now that the RBG staff have shifted into the new administration building, the Friends have been offered an opportunity, beyond expectations, to develop a Friends Centre in the former administration building. While the administration building is a relocatable, it is sound and quite suitable for renovation to suit FRBGC Committee and associated groups for many years.

Having been given notice some years ago that the Growing Friends nursery would need to be relocated, the FRBGC committee wisely began accumulating funds to cover future expenses to avoid any imposition on RBGC. During 2013, the construction of the new Growing Friends shed was undertaken, as well as the caging of the outdoor nursery area in bird wire (see photos on the following page). Following the installation of an irrigation system, the Growing Friends will shortly be able to resume work in their new location.

With the works for the Growing Friends nearing completion, the emphasis is changing to the Friends Centre. A small committee has developed a concept for re-arranging the layout of the former administration building to provide a meeting room, library, office,

storage, kitchenette and services such as toilets, electrical, heating and cooling. Much of the existing building will be retained, with some walls removed or shifted. Changes in the Depot area require the old main entrance to be closed and a new entrance to be created. This will be accessed from a deck with stairs and a ramp. The FRBGC Committee has approved this concept, and requests for quotations are with trades people. Works are expected to commence during February. A fairly modern second-hand kitchen has been purchased and dismantled and is in storage at RBGC.

In addition to the new Friends Centre, plans have evolved to develop a Maud Gibson Herbarium and Plant Laboratory in the former Public Programs relocatable, which was purchased new just a few years ago. This relocatable will need to be adapted for its new use, and will be shared by both the Gardens Staff and the Press Gang. It is planned that these works will be started during 2014. The work of the Press Gang will be significantly enhanced by these upgraded facilities.

—Alex Smart with Jill Burness

Impromptu visit to see the Western Australian Christmas tree

This was a last-minute activity arranged through our email list; if you would like at be added to the list please contact Helen Morrow at <morrowh@tgupload.com.au>.

Having just moved to the Cranbourne district, Alex and I now have the opportunity to watch various plants more closely. The Western Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, is one of these.

This tree was planted at RBG Cranbourne in the mid-1970s, on what is now Howson Hill, and it provides a spectacular display of orange/yellow flowers from late December through to mid-January.

Rodger Elliot reports that the brilliant flowers can be spotted from the air as you fly into Perth around Christmas. Unfortunately most of us prefer to visit WA for the spring wildflower season.

Being a parasite and closely related to the mistletoe family, the nuytsia is extremely difficult to cultivate. There are few mature plants outside of the natural habitat in southwest WA, yet nuytsia seeds, which can be purchased in RBG shops, germinate readily.

This tree began its life in the nursery at RBG Melbourne, where Warren Worboys, Curator of Horticulture, embarked on an experiment: he grew host plants in pots and some time later planted the nuytsia seeds into each pot. Eventually three well-developed seedlings were planted at RBG Cranbourne. Just one survived to maturity to become the most southern, the most eastern and possibly the biggest cultivated flowering nuytsia in the world.

The first colour was visible just before Christmas, but Warren’s advice was it would be better after Christmas. The Gardens believed there was a great opportunity to promote the tree to as many people as possible. In 2013 thousands visited the RBG Melbourne’s titan arum lily in flower, so it was likely there would be interest in Cranbourne’s nuytsia.

With only a few days notice 40 RBG Cranbourne Friends visited the nuytsia on 2 January (see photo on following page). There was great excitement that its location, beautiful flowers and parasitic nature made it unique.

Interest in the nuytsia has now evolved to the point where the Gardens believe that it is deserving of consideration for the Significant Tree Register. Proposals have been put forward and hopefully there will be good news in the future. It is believed the nuytsia would be the first tree on the Register for the RBG Cranbourne Gardens.

—Wendy Smart

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A small group of members get together each quarter to prepare the newsletter for posting. With Jill Burness as our leader, we add extra notices, seal each copy of Naturelink and separate those for interstate. Jill then takes them to the post office to be weighed and posted.

The team members vary with each issue; this photo was taken at the summer working bee.

Naturelink mailout team

Informal talk about the Menindee Project

Wednesay 5 March 1.00am Maud Gibson Room

Growing Friends: new shed and outdoor area covered in wire

About 40 people gathered together under the leadership of Alex Smart to observe the fantastic Western Australian Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda, on Howson Hill in the Australian Garden

Entry area Back of the work shed

For the last four years a group of artists, led by Mali Moir and accompanied by botanist Andrew Denham, have been collecting, pressing and illustrating the same plant species that Herman Beckler collected on the Burke and Wills Expedition. Two of our members are part of this group and will give an informal talk about their experiences and the aims of this very interesting project, the fruits of which will be collated into an exhibition in the near future. This is a most rewarding project to be involved in.

One of the paintings completed for the Menindee Project, Stelligera endocaspinis,

watercolour and graphite by Margaret Holloway