Latest News from the Friends

5 June, 2020
Welcome to the June Newsletter with all the latest from the Friends of Kings Park.

Find out about news at the Friends of Kings Park.

Read on for an update on the Friends and exciting news of our plans for returning to volunteering!

In this issue

President’s Report

I have some excellent news!!! This afternoon I was notified by the Executive Director of the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) that volunteering activities in Kings Park can resume, with a staggered approach, from June 6. The staggered approach has been deemed necessary, both as a precaution and to allow for BGPA employees to prepare for and coordinate the influx of volunteers. All volunteers will be notified early next week as to exactly when and under what conditions they can return to the Park.

In the last 2-3 weeks, in anticipation of an impending return to work in the very near future, we have provided BGPA with a COVID Volunteer Safety Plan and a Return to Work Plan for each of the various groups of Friends volunteers. We have developed specific instructions (regarding physical distancing, hygiene guidelines, and so on) for the different groups (growing friends, bushland and garden carers, orchid carers, office volunteers, Wanju Marr carers, fixing friends, climate watch friends, staff) – instructions appropriate to the particular environment in which they work and the particular tasks they perform. We have also organized different start dates for the various groups. As mentioned, BGPA has informed us that there must be a staggered return to work, with different groups returning to the Park at different times, on different dates, spread over 2-3 weeks after the start date of June 6. These instructions and start dates are being fine-tuned and, as mentioned above, you will be provided with this information early next week

The financial impact of the coronavirus on the Friends has been mitigated by the receipt of Commonwealth Government funds. Besides the JobKeeper subsidy that we have been receiving for our two employees (worth $39,000 over 6 months), we’ve recently been notified that our application for funds under the Business Cash Flow Boost scheme has been successful. This has boosted our financial position by a further $20,000. If our application to Lotterywest for financial assistance under their Event Cancellation Relief scheme is successful, we should come out of this crisis without any adverse financial impact.

Finances aside, this crisis has been an existential threat to the Friends of Kings Park. We are all looking forward to getting back into the Park over the remainder of this month and doing what the Friends of Kings Park do – growing native plants, looking after the bushland and gardens and so on. Preliminary indications are that almost all our volunteers are looking forward to returning to the Park as soon as they are able to.

I look forward to renewing acquaintances with you all in the very near future.

Best wishes
Ian Kerr
5 June 2020

Volunteer Update

We thank you for your patience and understanding during the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions and we’re excited to now have a plan to bring our volunteers back into the Park!

Please note the return of volunteer groups will be staggered as we ensure that all safety measures are in place and BGPA staff are prepared for your return. We will be in touch with you via email early next week to advise the arrangements for your group’s return. Please do not attend for volunteering until you have received this notification.

We recently sent an email to all active volunteers to gather information about your readiness to return. Please take the time to email us this information, if you have not already done so.

If you recently expressed an interest in becoming a volunteer, keep your eye on the newsletter as that is where we will post our updates about new and upcoming opportunities.

Aspects is now open!

As things return to “normal”, we’re excited to see that Aspects of Kings Park Gallery Shop has reopened, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily.

There are several new measures to ensure the comfort of customers shopping in-store. For further information on these measures head to the BGPA website.

Free shipping on all domestic orders over $50 is still available, plus the members-only discount code can still be applied if you’re shopping online.

Use the following code in the vouchers field at the checkout to receive your discount: 2020FOKP-CCWVQG37.

For People & Plants Magazine

Our editorial team have been working on the next edition of our famous magazine, filled with beautiful photos and stories of native flora.

The publication of the Winter edition has been delayed slightly, but should be hitting your letterboxes later this month!

Management Committee

Not all our volunteers are gardeners! The Friends of Kings Park Management Committee is a small team that sets the direction for the Friends and manages many aspects of our operations, and we are seeking new members this year. Have you ever considered giving back to the community by joining a committee?

All positions on the committee will be vacant at the 2020 AGM in October, but we are reaching out now so you have a chance to get to know us. Like to find out what is involved? Please email friendskpadmin@bgpa.wa.gov.au (include your phone number if you would like to chat) with a quick paragraph about yourself, and we will be in touch.

Previous committee experience is not required, but familiarity with Kings Park and Botanic Gardens, or an interest in the volunteer or conservation sectors would be advantageous.

Help us plan for a vibrant future! Contact us and find out more about the Management Committee.

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.

Membership Database – Request for Quote

The Friends of Kings Park has recently published an open tender for the provision of a customer management database. If you, or someone you know, has a company that would like to put in a quote for this work we would love to hear from you.

We have grown out of our existing database and are looking for a friendly and competent service provider, to help us manage all the aspects of what we do – specifically membership, payments, donations, communications, and recording volunteer hours.

The full documentation is available by request from the Friends office (friendskpadmin@bgpa.wa.gov.au).

The closing date for the submission of quotes is Tuesday 30 June.