Latest News from the Friends
28 May, 2019
Welcome to the June Newsletter with all the latest from the Friends of Kings Park.
Another fantastic Plant Sale, new talks planned for June, our new “Featured Book” from Aspects, ClimateWatch Activities, plus much more…
President’s Update
Over 1,000 visitors attended our plant sale on Sunday. The weather was beautiful, the Park looked amazing, and the plants were crying out ‘buy me, buy me’. A very big thank you to our team of volunteers who made the plant sale such a huge success, raising $39,000! It was pleasing to note the number of new customers at our plant sale on Sunday.
One of our Growing Friends volunteers, Betty Forbes, who has been with the Friends for over twenty years, decided to hang up her gardening gloves and say goodbye. She has been a ‘wonder woman’ helping out on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the nursery and at our plant sales, in all weather. On behalf of the Friends I cannot thank you enough, Betty, for your dedication and support. We will miss you.
The building of Wanju Marr, our new Volunteers Hub in Eucalyptus Car Park, is due for completion by the end of July. Once fit-out has been completed members will be given the opportunity to look around the building and entertainment area. We were very fortunate to receive a grant from Lotterywest to improve facilities for all volunteer groups in Kings Park and expand volunteer opportunities.
Pippa Moodie
A Sunday Afternoon with Friends
On Sunday 16 June join us for not one, but two presentations!
The first is by Curator of Arboriculture, Kings Park, Jeremy Thomas – “Tree Part Failure Profiles – A Review of Tree Incident Reporting”
Jeremy has led the arboriculture team since 2005. As the recipient of a Churchill Fellowship in 2009 he travelled to the United Kingdom, Singapore and the US to investigate the latest techniques in tree management and quantitative risk assessment.
The second is a joint presentation by Geoff Chidlow and Craig Gumley. Geoff and Craig are passionate volunteers in the Park and would like to share their experiences using a pictorial journey of volunteering through the seasons in the Park. This presentation will conclude with an update on the Wanju Marr volunteer hub.
Details:
Date: Sunday 16th June 2019
Time: Doors open 2:30pm for a 3pm start
Venue: Green Room – Education Centre
Bookings: Tickets are free for Members , 5$ for non-members.
Please Reserve your place through Try Booking (click below)
Afternoon tea will be provided.
Endangered Orchids
The presentation from Belinda Davies about endangered orchid species was very well attended and enjoyed by our members.
Want to find out more about Orchids? Why not check out our “Featured Book” from Aspects –
Orchids of South-West Australia, Fourth Edition – Noel Hoffman, Andrew Brown and Justin Brown
The principle purpose of this book is to provide an accurate and easy means of identifying the native orchids of this region. There is an excellent description of each orchid in which the distinctive features of each species and information on distribution, habitat, flowering period and the common name is provided. For every orchid there is also a colour photograph and map of its distribution. Orchids of South-West Australia is a must for all professional and amateur orchidologists
Climate Watch
On Wednesday 17/4/19, four Friends did a first Group Walk on the ClimateWatch Fraser Ave Trail on a beautiful autumn morning. Before we headed out onto the Trail, we downloaded the CW App and registered into the CW website. It was a learning exercise and from pictures of Climate Watchers, it was also a light-hearted and easy going exercise.
If you would like to join us (Paul & Serene) on our walk along the Forrest drive CW Trail on Wednesday 19 June at 10:30 am please register using the link below. We will meet at the southern end of the Wadjuk (Main) car park.
The walk will last about an hour and a half but may be longer depending on the discussion. Bring a friend or friends as anyone can be a citizen scientist. Together we can help scientists monitor how climate change affects flora and fauna in WA. And enjoy Kings Park!
We look forward to seeing you!
Please email [email protected] if you have any queries.
Thank you!
Fleece Vests
Hi volunteers, this is the first and final call to order a fleece vest for winter. Please fill in the form below and return it to the Friends office by Monday 17 June.
Vests are offered to volunteers at cost price of $31. There are a few sample sizes in the office for you to try on.
This will be the only vest order this year so make sure you get your form in before the deadline! We’ll email you when the vests arrive.
Shirts
There is a very limited number of spare shirts in the smaller sizes in the office. The cost to volunteers is $28 (subsidised by the Friends). Please email or call if you would like one, but if you miss out don’t worry as we will do another shirt order later in the year (just keep your eye on the newsletter for the form).
Native Flower Thefts
Unfortunately BGPA has reported that the Park has been the target of multiple thefts of flowers and foliage in recent months. Alan Barrett, Executive Director, BGPA advised –
“It appears the plants are being stolen for commercial purposes. Targeted species include banksias, kangaroo paws and a range of eucalypts.
We are working with WA Police and local florists on this issue, but are also calling on visitors and the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity in the Park. Florists urged to ensure they use reputable suppliers.
The communications team has shared a post on Kings Park’s Facebook and Twitter channels today that has been widely shared. ABC Radio and ABC TV will also run stories this afternoon and evening. We ask that staff continue to remain vigilant and report thefts to the PMOs who are keeping records for WA Police.
I know an enormous amount of work goes into these plants and understand the thefts can be demoralising for staff and volunteers who care for them. However, I take this opportunity to thank you for the work you do every day to make Kings Park look so beautiful for the millions of visitors who enjoy the park every year.”
Help Wanted
The Communications Team are looking for new members! We’re the “fun team” of the Friends, organising events and dreaming up new ideas to keep the members entertained throughout the year.
If you fancy spending a couple of hours a month flexing your creative muscles with our band of derring doers, drop us a line at [email protected] We’d be delighted to hear from you
Volunteer Code of Conduct
Volunteers – keep an eye on your email for a link to the updated Volunteer Code of Conduct, that is required by BGPA. Volunteers will be able to read and agree to the Code of Conduct on our website.
Donations
As the end of Financial Year approaches, why not consider a donation to the Friends of Kings Park to keep the tax man at bay?
Donations can be made through our online portal. All donations are tax-deductible and go towards projects in the Park to protect and conserve our native flora.
What’s on in June
VMG Dig it with Coffee: Native Gardens Advice
Wednesday 5 June
Between 10 and 11.30 am at Zamia Café
Bookings essential: call the Kings Park Master Gardeners on 9480 3672, email [email protected] or visit Kings Park Events Calendar: Dig it with Coffee
Bushland Carers
June Dates: check the Bushland Carers 2019 Volunteer Program Calendar, under the Volunteering page on our website
