Latest News from the Friends

7 April, 2021
Welcome to the April Newsletter with all the latest from the Friends of Kings Park.

Find out about the news at the Friends of Kings Park.

Read on for information on upcoming events, Volunteer Opportunities, and more.

In this issue

President’s Report

A big THANK YOU to all those volunteers who supported our recent plant sale, either in the nursery or on the day. Net takings of $31,345 exceeded budget.  Well done everyone.

The Spring Issue (111) of For People & Plants magazine featured an article on the Friends Fund and some of the projects it is supporting. One of the projects “Saving Seeds in Storage” has been successful in attracting an Australian Research Council award of $582,084. Together with Kings Park Science, and DBCA’s contribution of $86,900, and the Friends contribution of $60,000, the funding will support Dr Emma Dalziell, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at Kings Park, to undertake research to improve their practices of seed banking for the conservation of WA’s flora over a four year period. Congratulations to David Merritt and Emma for all their work in securing the ARC award.

I am delighted to inform members that the Friends were successful in their nomination for the Australian Association of Friends of Botanical Gardens’ Handbury 2020 Award in the ‘Exceptional contribution of a member organisation to its Botanic Garden, Park or Arboretum’ category. A big thank you to Darren Harrop, Vern McKay, and Anne Barden of the Fund Committee for their hard work in providing opportunities for projects in the restoration and conservation of our native flora. Over the years the Fund has gradually grown where it has supported and is still supporting various Kings Park projects in excess of $500,000.

I am proud to be a member of such an amazing organisation.

Best wishes
Pippa Moodie

Seed Collection with Luke Sweedman

Friends members and non-members alike are invited to join Luke Sweedman, former Curator of the WA Seed Centre to find out about the exciting world of Seed Collection!

Hear about Luke’s long career and the history of seed collection at Kings Park, followed by Q&A .

Thursday 15 April 2021
Doors open 5:30pm for a 6pm start
Tickets – $5 members/non-members
Wine and Cheese provided

Photo credit: Sweedman Archive

Attention Photographers

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Calendar Photography Workshop recently. A big thank you to Paul Harrison and Beth Baker who presented on how to take Calendar Worthy photos! We were wowed by your beautiful photos and your practical tips on getting the best shot. Helena Waldmann, our Admin Officer, and Calendar producer also gave some advice on what we’re looking for in the 2022 Calendar.

For a summary of the calendar brief and the tips provided, download the submission guide here

The preferred way for us to receive your images is for you to save a selection of high-res versions to Dropbox and send a link to admin@friendsofkingspark.com.au but if you are unable to do this please send low-res versions by email to the same address (as attachments, not embedded in the text) or drop off a USB. The submission deadline has been extended to Monday 12th April.

Cypress Farm Open Garden

Back By Popular Demand – Cypress Farm Open Garden – 8 May
It’s Djeran, and what better time to visit Cypress Farm than when the Maples are turning colour.  Join Friends of Kings Park on Saturday 8th May for a morning tea and guided tour of Kingsley Dixon’s beautiful garden – Cypress Farm.

Details
Date: Saturday 8th May
Venue: Cypress Farm, Waroona (directions will be provided after booking tickets)
Time: 10am – 12 noon
Cost: $10 per person (includes morning tea)

This event is open to members and family only but be quick – the last Open Garden sold out in 2 days.

As parking is limited we will be carpooling.  If you have spare seats, or need a ride, let us know.

Volunteer Opportunities

Garden Carers
Positions are becoming available for the Wednesday and Thursday Garden Carers Groups. The Garden Carers meet every second week from 8:00 am. For these groups, you must be a Friends of Kings Park member. The start dates for these groups will be:
Thursday Garden Carers – 1 April
Wednesday Garden Carers – 7 April
Wednesday Garden Carers – 5 May
Thursday Garden Carers – 6 May

If the GARDEN CARERS is of interest to you, the first step is to email the Volunteer Coordinator via email: volunteer@bgpa.wa.gov.au with your name and a brief description of your interest in the GARDEN CARERS for the Wednesday or Thursday Group. Then the Volunteer Coordinator will send you further information.

Bushland Carers
Positions are becoming available for the Wednesday Bushland Carers GROUP 2. The Wednesday Bushland Carers meet every second Wednesday from 8:00 am. For this group, you must be a Friends of Kings Park member. The start dates for this group will:
Wednesday 14 April
Wednesday 28 April
Wednesday 12 May

If the BUSHLAND CARERS is of interest to you, the first step is to email the Volunteer Coordinator via email: volunteer@bgpa.wa.gov.au with your name and a brief description of your interest in the BUSHLAND CARERS for Wednesday GROUP 2. Then the Volunteer Coordinator will send you further information.

Uniforms and Badges

LAST CHANCE!
Volunteers, if you would like to order a uniform please fill in the attached form and return it to the Friends before Tuesday 13 April. There are a few sample sizes of shirts in the Lodge if you would like to try one on, otherwise, there is a size guide here: https://www.syzmik.com/garmentfittingguide/au/

If you only want a name badge, which is no charge, you can just send an email to admin@friendsofkingspark.com.au (no need to fill in the whole form).

Communications Sub-Committee

Members wanted!
The Communications Subcommittee is a group of creative and fun volunteers who help organise the Friends member’s events. They are looking for more volunteers to help plan events and others who can help at the events themselves. No experience necessary!

For more information and expressions of interest, contact Alex at events@friendsofkingspark.com.au

ClimateWatch

A new ClimateWatch App has been launched recently to replace the current one. A new website will follow shortly.

Please discontinue using the current App and website for data collection.

You can download the new app ClimateWatch | SPOTTERON from Apple or Google Play app stores.
Create a new user account in the new app. Use the same email if possible.
Get out into nature to continue collecting invaluable climate research data.

If you have any queries, you can email CW team:
volunteers@friendsofkingspark.com.au

Or directly to ClimateWatch, Melbourne:
climatewatch@earthwatch.org.au

Thank you
ClimateWatch Team

Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop

Aspects of Kings Park has a brand new website, showcasing the beautiful products for sale in-store and online.

Visit the new website here

Reminder: Friends of Kings Park members receive a 15% discount at Aspects. If you’re buying online, use the code in the email newsletter to claim your discount.

*Please note that the discount may not be used to purchase gift cards. Your member number should be included in the comments section of your order.

New email addresses for the Friends

Our staff and office bearers are moving to a suite of new emails so please update your address books as follows:

Office Admin (Helena): admin@friendsofkingspark.com.au

Events & Communications (Alex): events@friendsofkingspark.com.au

President (Pippa): president@friendsofkingspark.com.au

Vice President (Ian): vice.president@friendsofkingspark.com.au

Treasurer (Vern): treasurer@friendsofkingspark.com.au

Growing Friends: growers@friendsofkingspark.com.au

ClimateWatch: volunteers@friendsofkingspark.com.au

The old “bgpa” email addresses will be phased out over the next few weeks. Phone numbers remain the same.

Bushland Carers

Bushland Carers
2021 Dates: check the Bushland Carers 2021 Volunteer Program Calendar, under the Volunteering page on our website. Please note this is subject to change depending on COVID restrictions.