ULLADULLA & DISTRICTS GARDEN CLUB Inculladullagardenclub.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads...Page 3 of 14 (Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Newsletter, January 2020) President’s

Page 1 of 14 (Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Newsletter, January 2020)

ULLADULLA & DISTRICTS GARDEN CLUB INC PO BOX 263

ULLADULLA NSW 2539 ABN 27 046 739 527 Inc: Y070033-46

[email protected] http://ulladullagardenclubinc.org.au/ Facebook: ulladullagardenclubinc

Meets last Monday in the month – 9 for 9.30 am –

Baptist Church, 215 Matron Porter Drive, Narrawallee

NEWSLETTER - January

2020

President: Gillian Boyd (0402 209 399) Secretary: Gill Evans (0414 738 373)

Treasurer: Sue Hobson (0417 939 224) Activities Officer: Debbie Kendall (0412 069 520)

Assets Enquiries: TBC

The opinions and descriptions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect

the opinion of the Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Incorporated (the Club). The

Club does not accept any responsibility for any advice or treatments recommended

by any of the writers expressed in any of the articles presented in these pages.and

January Meeting Agenda

Doors will open at 8:45am

• President’s Welcome to Members and Visitors – Gillian Boyd

• Welfare – Sue McMahon

• Activities Report – Debbie Kendall

• Garden Gems

• Librarian’s Report – Elvina James

• Reflections on the Fires in song – Sue Hobson

• Stretch, Shake and a cuppa

• Members’ Stories – Gill Gibson & Kerrie Henderson

• Secretary’s Report – Gill Evans

• Treasurer’s Report – Sue Hobson

• Q and A

• Competition Results – Green & Yellow – Janey George

• Trading Table - Janet Baxter

• Lucky ticket and Raffle Draw – Lorraine Pryor and Gary McConnell

Things you need to know

Guest Speakers

Members’ Stories Gill Gibson &

Kerrie Henderson

Competitions

January – Green & Yellow Display for Australia Day

Morning Tea Kerrie Henderson

And Helpers

Next Meeting: Mon Feb 24, 2020

mailto:[email protected]

http://ulladullagardenclubinc.org.au/


New Members Please welcome: No new members this month

Get Well Messages If you are aware of a member who is not well, or needs cheering up, please let Sue McMahon know

on 4455 2739

Banking Information If you would prefer to pay electronically for membership or trips etc, you can - details as follows:

BSB 062-646 Account No 00900912

Please ensure you enter your surname and what the money is for in the description space i.e. Keegan, Fees

Contact Details If you have recently changed your address, telephone number or email address, please ensure that you let a committee member know. This will ensure that you will receive your newsletter via email if you have requested this. All personal details are kept strictly confidential.

Morning Tea Please think about bringing your own mug for m/tea – this not only helps with the environment but also keeps our costs to a minimum. A mug with a lid would work best, as this would alleviate spillage and a possible injury. If you do use a disposable cup, please make sure you put it in the bin before you leave. We have had a lot of spills while packing up when cups are left on the floor.

Insurance Please note that guests, (non-members), are not covered by the Club's Group Personal Accident Policy on coach trips, therefore, these are restricted to financial members only.

Newsletter We will only be printing 80 copies of the newsletter for distribution at the monthly meeting to those members who do not have access to email or internet. If you receive the newsletter via email, it would be appreciated if you could print your copy and bring it with you. The printed copies at the Welcome Desk are for those members who have not received it electronically and for our visitors. Thank you

for your co-operation.

Propagation Group – please see article from Gillian Boyd further in this newsletter.

OH&S – Debbie Kendall is our First Aid Officer and is available, if required, at meetings and activities


President’s Message

Welcome to 2020. It has not been a great start to the year, but the consolation is that the rest of the year can only get better. My thoughts are with those of you who lost your homes to the fires. Many of you have lost your gardens or other important assets such as hay sheds, hay, pasture or crops. The loss must be devastating, and it will take time to restore and recover. I wish you well as you embark on this fraught path to recovery. It has been an anxious time for all of us and for some of us that anxiety will continue long after the fires are extinguished and there is a flush of green on the paddocks and in the bush and in burnt gardens. I hope participating in Garden Club activities and working in your garden helps to alleviate some of that ongoing anxiety. I also think it is important to tell your fire story. I think just about everyone has a fire story. I find myself telling my fire story over and over; my fire story is not very dramatic or gut-wrenching, but it is my experience of a terrible disaster that befell our community and the beautiful place in which we live. If you would like to share your fire story with Garden Club members, please let me know at the beginning of the January meeting. You could tell the story at the meeting or write it down for members to read in our newsletter. We would all appreciate the story of your fire experience. If anyone knows of any members who have suffered loss from the fires, please let me or Sue McMahon know at the January meeting or send either of us an email at [email protected]. After the rain and some milder weather, the extent of damage to people’s gardens will be clearer and I hope by then it will also be clearer how the Garden Club can best help to renew and restore these gardens. Our Garden Club year will start with a Morning Tea and Open Garden at Debbie and Mark Kendall’s garden on 4 February. I hope you can all join us. It would be a good opportunity to share your fire stories in a small group in a relaxed setting. Also, on 4 February after the Morning Tea, the planning for the Zone Friendship Day will begin in earnest. Zone Friendship Days are gatherings of members of Garden Clubs that like our club are affiliated with The Garden Clubs of Australia (GCA) and are in our GCA Zone ie the South Coast and Southern Highlands Zone. Zone Friendship Days are held every two years and clubs in the Zone take turns to organise and host the gathering. This year it is Ulladulla and Districts Garden Club’s turn to host Friendship Day. The Friendship Day Planning Group will convene to discuss and decide on the structure of the day and the various activities that will be offered. If you would like help plan the day or have some ideas you would like to contribute please let us know by sending an email to [email protected]. Every year at our February meeting, in accordance with our Constitution, the Ulladulla and Districts Garden Club holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) as part of the regular February meeting. At this meeting on 24 February 2020, we will elect a new Committee to manage the administration and activities program for 2020. If you would like to be part of the management committee please complete the nomination form in this newsletter and hand it to Gill Evans our Secretary or send it to her at [email protected]. You can also





find the Nomination Form on our website. If you would like to know more about what being a committee member involves or have other questions you would like to ask about the AGM, please ask a committee member at the January meeting or send the questions in an email to the address above. You can find out more about the AGM and the governance of the Garden Club in our Constitution. You will find the links to the Constitution and the Nomination form on the homepage of our website: www.ulladullagardenclub.org.au. Please have a think about joining our vibrant and dynamic committee in 2020. Happy gardening!

Gillian

2020 Membership Fees are now due and payable $30 for singles and $55 for a couple.

Please ensure that your fees are paid by the end of March. They can be paid either in person at the meeting or by direct debit (see details on page 2). Paying at the meeting: Please complete the attached renewal form and hand it with your payment to Sue Hobson at the Treasurers table. If you are paying by direct debit – please ensure that you put details in the reference section ie Keegan, Fees 2020. If any of your details have changed, please complete the attached form and hand it to the Treasurer.

Would you like to be a Member in Focus at one of our meetings?

We would love to hear from any member in our club who can share their journey with us – it doesn’t have to be garden related or it can just be some photos that you can share with us – it is up to you. You could be a new member or a long-standing member whose garden has evolved significantly since they last presented. Don’t be shy as we can assist with your presentation. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and experiences with the club, please contact Colleen Ringe.

Vale: Brian O’Connell - Our long-standing member Brian passed away early January

with many members attending his memorial service on Sat Jan 18. Our thoughts are with Marie and her family at this sad time.

http://www.ulladullagardenclub.org.au/


Competition for November – Roses - and the winners were…

1st: Jim Mison 2nd: Ros McDonald 3rd: Sue Hobson

2019 Winner for the most consistent entries: Catherine Craig

2019 Winner for the most Points: Sheila Gallant

Contribution from our Member - Patricia Bate We are all asking, "How can we give help to those in need?" My answer would be, "Help one another." We all know that gardening has such wonderful, therapeutic powers. I, myself, found this out following the death of my beloved husband Noel in 2004. If my garden survives these dreadful conditions, I will offer all I can in the way of bulbs, ferns and cuttings. No doubt there will be a lot of members who have suffered as a result of these recent catastrophic conditions. It is up to us to offer our support.

Competitions for 2020 January Green & Yellow display for Australia Day February Edible Garden March Blossoms of Blue April Hibiscus May One perfect Bloom June Winter Wonders July Camelias August Succulents September Orchids October Roses November Symphony in White


Propagation Group At the end of 2019 the Propagation Group had established a considerable store of plants to donate to the trading table and to form the nucleus of the Trading Table at the Zone Friendship Day in September. Unfortunately, our store of plants, propagating medium and pots was consumed by the Currowan fire that consumed just about everything in its path. So, the Propagation Group needs to start the process all over again. However, before we can start again, the group will need to find a new home to meet, do our propagating magic and store our plants and equipment. It will take a bit of time to locate and establish a new propagation meeting and propagating venue. If you have a suitable place that you could offer the Propagation Group, it would be great to hear from you. Until the Group finds a stable home, we will send out emails each month informing members of the meeting time and location. The next meeting of the Group will be in February so watch your inbox for the vital news of when and where.

TRIAL Trading Table Rewards Plan Our trial Trading Table Rewards Plan starts at the Garden Club’s January meeting. The aim of the new reward system is to encourage members to donate good quality plant material to the Trading Table for sale at meetings. The idea behind this new system of rewards is to compensate members who bring along established plants to the trading table for the potting mix used and to reward members who bring along prepared bulbs, corms or rhizomes or other plant material that is prepared and ready to plant. From now on for a trial period of six months, members donating eligible items to the Trading Table will be given a rewards card, similar to a coffee card. Each time you bring in a donation of established plants or prepared plant material, your card will be punched by one of the Trading table team. The number holes punched in your card after each donation will be determined by a Trading Table team member. Once your card is full, one of the team will sign the card and you can take it along to Budget Produce in Ulladulla and receive a bag of Standard Potting Mix. The Rewards Plan applies to people who contribute to the Trading Table only. The reward for Trading Table buyers is a well-prepared healthy plant or other plant material that is locally grown and obtained at a very low price. After each meeting we will check how the system is working and make any adjustments that are needed to ensure it is operating smoothly. After six months the Committee and the Trading Table team will decide whether to continue the trial.


About the Fauna Lurking in my Garden - Daryl Bishop

Nature at War If I say that my garden is a battlefield you will probably assume that battle is between me and the garden pests. Such is not the case. Instead, I am referring to the on-going battle for survival by the plants in my garden and, of course, elsewhere, against those same pests and the various ways they have developed in order to defend themselves. The loss of sap and, or, foliage to plant eating predators of any kind is potentially dangerous for the plant – debilitating, often fatal. Without its foliage a plant cannot transmute radiant energy into ‘food’ for growth. Some give up, some struggle, sometimes surviving, sometimes not. Others have learnt how to fight back, and many are doing so very effectively proving that they are not entirely helpless. Some have even learnt about chemical warfare and are using it effectively. Plants have also developed other ingenious ways of defending themselves. Some do this by making their leaves tough and unpalatable; some have spiny or hairy leaves or thorns or very tough networks of veins; some make their leaves very hard and fibrous and difficult for small mouths to chew. Other plants have taken a different direction and have developed offensive rather than defensive weapons. They manufacture chemicals specifically for the purpose of deterring predators. These chemicals are laid down in the tissues of whatever part of the plant comes under attack i.e. leaves, trunk, bark etc. The chemicals in question include alkaloids, cyanide, sulphur compounds, resins, tannins and what we call “essential oils”. Some, such as essential oils, simply deter the predators; others are more toxic and many inhibit egg-laying by the insect involved; or inhibit growth. Others are distasteful, some are fatal. These toxins are ‘expensive’ for the plants to produce, using energy which would otherwise be used for growth. Some plants try to reduce the ‘cost’ by producing the chemicals as a reaction to attack rather than on a permanent basis. An example is the cucumber which only produces the poisons in its leaves and stems following an attack. Other plants produce the poisons permanently but only in certain parts of the plant – an example is the tomato, the leaves and stems are always poisonous, not the fruit. In trees, very often new growth is not poisonous or has a reduced amount, the mature leaves may be highly toxic. Predictably, since this war is ongoing, some predators have developed ways of getting around the defences. The lava of some insects, for instance, in the reaction only situations, prevent the delivery of the toxins in trailing plants (such as melons etc) by biting through the veins which supply the trailers before the chemicals can be mobilised. Having ‘disarmed’ the plant, they can then feed at leisure. Some predators have learnt how to ‘hijack’ the plants’ defence system and are using the toxins for their own defence. They secrete the chemicals in their system producing a taste (sometimes a smell) which is repellent to their predators. If you taste bad, nothing is going to want to eat you!


Some plants have taken a further step in this war. When they detect the first attack, they release chemicals which attract a particular parasitic wasp which lays her eggs in the caterpillars doing the damage. Some plants, mainly grasses, develop silica in their leaves; grazing caterpillars experience the effect of chewing a mouthful of glass – very off-putting! Many of the tannins and essential oils developed as a defence from predators have proved to be very useful to humans (another predator) for health, culinary and cosmetic purposes. Examples are the basic herbs – garlic, rosemary and lavender, however, there are so many more. Who would have thought that we would never have tasted lamb flavoured with rosemary if some predator way back in time had not attacked some poor little plant? I would like to express my sympathy and commiseration to those people with losses caused by the fires. There are so many ways in which these fires have affected people’s lives and will continue to do so for a long time. Money can help but can never wipe that feeling of powerlessness and loss that this disaster has caused. I know that many of our own people have quietly given their time and energy in helping during this difficult time. They have done it without expectation of recognition, but they are very deserving of our thanks. It will take a very long time for the district to recover but I feel that our community has shown that it is a community which care. I am proud to belong here, and my thoughts are with those who have suffered and are suffering as a result of this disaster. Daryl Bishop

Calling all ‘shutter bugs’ - Information from the GCA with regard to upcoming photography competitions:

The GCA 2021 ‘Beautiful Gardens of Australia’ Calendar photograph submissions I am sure many members have taken lovely photographs of gardens in Australia. Why not submit them for consideration for the 2021 Calendar. They can have been taken any time in the past – not just this year.

Submissions close on the 15th February 2020 and there is no entry fee. The simple conditions for entry are on the GCA website www.gardenclubs.org.au. There is no limit on the number of images, or when they were taken. You can email them to [email protected]. Members whose images are chosen for the 13 main pages receive $100 each, so have a go!! The smaller “filler” images chosen do not attract a fee, but members get the satisfaction of having their image published in the Calendar along with their name.



Shirley Smith Award 2019 – and the winner was Julie Leslie

Shirley Smith Award 2020 You can be a winner just like Elke Smith-Hill in 2018 and Julie Leslie in 2019. Just send in your tried and true tips or tricks to the Editor, that have worked for you in your garden. You can either email, phone me or jot the tip down on paper and give it to me at the monthly meeting. You could be out next winner!!

Library Report – Elvina James - Have a great 2020 So much seems to have happened since our last meeting. There have been bushfires with massive impact in our area. We have also had road closures North, South and West. It has been best to stay indoors to avoid the smoke. One notable omission while the roads were closed was the lack of trucks going through town. After raining our bush will bounce back. Our Wildflower Reserve has made a remarkable recovery. It has been quite noticeable that there are many plants that we don’t normally see that are now quite visible but a lack of medium sized shrubs. Our next walk will be held on February 1st at 10:0am. Come and see for yourself. Library – come and have a look at our books. We love to see you and help you if possible. You my find that with our warm weather that is still to come, you may need a book or two to read. Great Gardening for 2020

Julie’s winning tip – as voted by you, our members Soak orange peels in vinegar for 2 weeks in a sealed jar. Strain peels out and pour vinegar mixture into a spray bottle and use to spray bugs

in your garden. Also good for getting rid of ants.


ACTIVITIES 2019 – Debbie Kendall

4 February - Tuesday: Coffee Morning from 10.00 am - To kick off the New Year with Garden Club members, you are invited to a coffee morning in the Kendall’s garden, 85 Garside Rd, Mollymook. Please be aware that in amongst all of the activity and commitments that Mark and I have had since the bush fire crisis started, we have not had the sort of time we would have liked to bring our garden up to a standard we would be happy to present. However, we have tried to improve its condition and it will be as it will be on the day. Please come along to enjoy a chat with your fellow garden club members and friends. Just bring a small plate of morning tea to share, a mug and, if possible, a chair.

1 May – Friday: Day Trip to Horse Island – departing 8.00 am from Civic Centre, Ulladulla. Horse Island, owned by Christina and Trevor Kennedy, is an 80-hectare private island located on Tuross Lake near Bodalla. Christina has spent over 25 years creating a 10-ha garden that is a showcase of native Australian plants used in a formal and informal setting. As access to this property is by an old hardwood bridge, and access for a large coach is limited, we have been advised to travel by mini coaches. Therefore, I have booked 2 x 24-seater coaches limiting our numbers to 48. Also due to the size and terrain of the property, it has been strongly recommended that you need to be physically fit and able to get yourself around. BYO lunch in Moruya followed by a visit to the Moruya Garden Centre.

Cost: $65 per person (based on 48 people) - includes coach and garden entry. $20 deposit required to register for this trip. 27 May – Wednesday: Morning Tea with Bowral Garden Club – Gillian Boyd’s garden, Croobyar Road, Milton. More details to be advised.

24 September – Thursday: Zone Friendship Day – more details to be advised. Wednesday, 21 – Saturday 24 October (4 days/3 nights) – Mayfield Gardens, Oberon, The itinerary for this trip also includes visits to Blackheath Rhododendron Gardens, Mount Wilson gardens (actual gardens to be nominated), luncheon cruise on the Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler. Accommodation (includes dinner bed & breakfast) at the Nesuto Leura Gardens Resort (formerly the Waldorf). While the 2019/2020 bush fires have impacted the Mount Wilson and Blackheath areas, the extent of any damage that might limit our ability to visit these gardens is not yet known. It is still intended to keep with the original itinerary, but things will become clear as we approach the trip date. Therefore, the itinerary is subject to change albeit the original and primary aim to visit Mayfield will still be maintained. Cost: $740 per person twin share; $900 per person single room – includes coach, accommodation, dinner bed & breakfast; all garden entries; lunches and Nepean Gorge cruise. A deposit of $200 is required at the February meeting to secure your place on this trip. At this stage there is a full coach for this trip but if you wish to put your name on the waiting list please do so.

For more information on any of the above please see Debbie at the Activities Table or phone 0412069520.


THIS BUSHFIRE SEASON (Adaptation of Greg Brown’s song, Our Little Town) by Sue Hobson

1. Now the settlers came generations ago And the towns grew up as the crops did grow Crops grew well, farms, villages too But see it now, burnt to ashy ruin Ch I don’t have to read the news or hear it on the radio See it in the faces of everyone I know Houses gone, animals, crops and food The wildlife suffer, we try to help them too 2. Summer’s full of fire, spreading where it may Exhausted firies still out in the fray The people gather, weep and then go on Fighting, fighting, saving what they can Ch I don’t have to read the news or hear it on the radio See it in the faces of everyone I know Houses gone, animals, crops and food Koalas suffer, we try to help them too

3. Some lost their homes, shock and grief prevail Cobargo, Mogo, Conjola Park erased Hearts are splintered, yet people rise again Support each other, love and care will win Ch I don’t have to read the news or hear it on the radio See it in the faces of everyone I know Houses gone, animals, crops and food Wombats, possums, we try to help them too 4. Oh we've seen hard times many times before But this is new, terrifying more People crying, government still deaf Need action now before our planet’s death. 5. Oh we need to read the news, shout it on the radio Talk to the first people, ancient knowledge known Love our country, care for land and sea Our children’s children will need this to be. (4th line tune) Our children’s children will need this to be We need to act now, it’s all that we can see.


Have your say … Is there something that you want to say about the joys or otherwise of home gardening? The newsletter is a place that you can post your views or make comments or even write a story. Don’t be shy and don’t think that you need to be a great writer to contribute – we can help you if you need it. Members’ contributions are what make newsletters interesting. Have your say!

Newsletter Editor, Ann Keegan, can be contacted by: Email [email protected] Phone 0417 690 620 or 4454 4156

For Sale: Worm Café x 2

Excellent condition $40 each Please see Ann Keegan or call on 0417 690 620 Improving Nature strips – Sustainable Gardening Australia – have a look at the following https://www.sgaonline.org.au/nature-strip-plantings/

PAID Advertisement

Tony Karacsonyi, of Narrawallee, is now offering his gardening services to Garden Club members. Tony is already maintaining several gardens in Mollymook and Milton, and is skilled in weeding, planting, pruning, mulching and creating gardens. He has worked as a planter/bush regenerator, for the past 9 years for Shoalhaven City Council and the NPWS. He has Certificates 1, 2 and Part 3 in Horticulture from Ulladulla TAFE, and Chemical Certificate from North Sydney TAFE. Some members will know Tony and his wife Elizabeth, from the Milton/Ulladulla Orchid Society Shows, so if you have orchids that need re-potting, he can do that too.

Call Tony on Tel; 0476 938 415 or AH; 4455 4552

Call Tony on Tel; 0476 938 415 or AH; 4455 4552

https://www.sgaonline.org.au/nature-strip-plantings/


Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Inc

Nomination for Membership of Committee

I wish to nominate:

Member’s Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

For the position of: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Proposed by: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature: …………………………………...…………………………. Date: ……………………

Seconded by: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature: ……………………………….………………………………. Date: ……………………

I accept this nomination.

Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Signature: ………………………………………………………………. Date: ………………….

This form should be forwarded to:

The Secretary P O BOX 263 ULLADULLA NSW 2539 Or by email to [email protected]

To be delivered to the Secretary by 17 February 2020 ie at least 7 days before 24 February 2020, the date of the 2020 Annual General Meeting.


Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Inc

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 2020

SINGLE $30.00 COUPLE $ 55.00

Your membership fee includes your entry fee to our monthly meetings

Please note: The information on this form is collected solely for the purposes of the Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Inc and will not be shared with any third party without the permission of the person

supplying the information.

Name

Member No

Home Phone Number: Mobile Phone Number:

Address:

Mailing Address (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE):

Would you like your newsletter sent by email? You will receive it in plenty of time before each meeting Yes / No

EMAIL Address:

All membership renewals MUST be paid before the AGM in February to enable you to vote.

2020 Subscription receipt No ……………………………………………….

Documents

ULLADULLA & DISTRICTS GARDEN CLUB Inculladullagardenclub.org.au/sites/default/files/uploads...Page 3 of 14 (Ulladulla & Districts Garden Club Newsletter, January 2020) President’s