Latest News from the Friends
Welcome to the February Newsletter with all the latest from the Friends of Kings Park.
2019 is shaping up to be another busy year in the Park and for the Friends! Our first talk for the year has been planned, the March plant sale is fast approaching, and there are volunteer opportunities on offer.
Australia Day
Wizz, Bang!! The Australia Day skyshow was a great success thanks to our wonderful volunteers who manned the Fraser Avenue and BCC collection points. In total our volunteers collected $6,015.
In the past we had problems with the public not having coins in their pockets. For the first time, with our new device, $800 was donated through our Tap and Go machine. I also noted that the public were generous with their $5 notes! Monies raised will go towards projects in Kings Park.
Our VIP Guests also enjoyed their private viewing location and reserved car bays for the Skyshow on Australia Day.
March Plant Sale
Our first Plant Sale of the year is fast approaching which means it’s time to sign up to help out!
Sunday 17th March 2019 9 am – 12noon
Our volunteers are the backbone of these events, so we hope you’ll be able to support us again this year. New volunteers welcome! Please fill in the online form by clicking below to let us know your availability and preferred tasks.
Volunteer for the March Plant Sale
Ruffling Feathers
Dealing with complex relationships in Verticordia feather flowers and allies
Come along to our first talk for the year, presented by Dr Matthew Barrett, whose research was supported by the Friends of Kings Park Fund.
Thursday 28th February
5:30pm for 6:00pm
Green Room, Education
The event is free, places can be reserved here
Abstract:
“Shrubby myrtles of Myrtaceae Tribe Chamelaucieae is a species-rich, horticulturally valuable group of nearly 300 species, most of which are only found in south-west Australia. The group contains iconic Australian plants such as featherflowers (Verticordia), waxflowers (Chamelaucium), mountain bells (Darwinia) and coppercups (Pileanthus). More than half the species are of conservation concern, representing a major portion of Australia’s rare flora.
Despite their importance, their taxonomy remains ill-defined, with more than 50 undescribed species known, and current limits of the genera deeply unsatisfactory. Confusion around generic names dates back to the earliest botanists working on the Australian flora, such as Robert Brown of Flora Australiensis fame (1865).
This project funded by the FOKP has galvanized two decades of work by Dr. Matt Barrett (Kings Park) and Barbara Rye (WA Herbarium) into a new classification for the Verticordia-Chamelaucium group, using DNA methods to intensively explore the incredible diversity of shrubby myrtles, which provide a classic example of evolution of the Australian flora since the rift with Antarctica some 33 Million years ago. Be prepared for some surprises as ancient controversies are finally resolved!”
ClimateWatch 2019
With the start of 2019 the hot weather is drying out the park but the plants are still progressing through their annual cycles and here at Climatewatch we are looking forward to an exciting year.
Have you tried using the Climatewatch App or are you interested in observations of the Bushland Nature Trail? If you would like more information or to participate please contact us [email protected]
Fauna of Kings Park
Did you miss our last talk of 2018 on the Fauna of Kings Park? Click here to find out all about this fascinating subject!
Volunteer Opportunities
Growing Friends
The Growing Friends are looking for members who are fit and healthy, willing to work outdoors in all weather, are friendly, self-motivated, have high attention to detail, able to work in small groups and willing to get their hands dirty. Volunteers will be expected to attend at least two sessions a month. Only the Saturday morning/afternoon sessions are available. Interviews will take place on Saturday, 9 March.
For this group you must be a Friends of Kings Park member. If the position is of interest to you, the first step is to email the Volunteer Coordinator via email: [email protected] with your name and brief description of how you will support the Growing Friends.
Then the Volunteer Coordinator will send you further information.
Garden Carers
Positions are coming available for the Wednesday Garden Carers group. The Wednesday Garden Carers meet every Wednesday at 8:00am. For this group you must be a Friends of Kings Park member.
If the GARDEN CARERS is of interest to you, the first step is to email the Volunteer Coordinator via email: [email protected] with your name and brief description of your interest in the GARDEN CARERS for the Wednesday group.
Then the Volunteer Coordinator will send you further information. There will be placement start dates offered for February to suitable applicants.
Kings Park Vehicle Occupancy Surveys – More Volunteers Needed!
Over the last few months, several Friends of Kings Park volunteers have been assisting the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority (BGPA) by undertaking vehicle occupancy surveys at vehicle entry points to Kings Park and Botanic Garden. The results of these surveys will allow BGPA to more accurately determine visitor numbers to the Park, an important component of BGPA’s annual reporting requirements.
We are now over halfway through the required surveys and the current volunteers are keen to meet more people and see the survey through to its end. Although not your usual volunteering gig, the Friends involved have found it a very pleasant way to spend a few hours in Kings Park chatting to new friends while collecting data. All you need to do is sit back, relax and count!
If you are keen to do some short-term volunteering and have some flexibility in when you volunteer, this is the role for you.
Please email the Volunteer Coordinator with your name and best contact number to register your interest.
Larr Rose email: [email protected]
Volunteer for the Perth Festival 2019
Volunteers are still needed to join Perth Festival as a volunteer on our opening event Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak. To volunteer, complete the form here or email [email protected].
2019 Calendars
Last chance to pick up our 2019 Calendar – on sale at Aspects for only $10, or download the form below and order through the office.
Stocks are very limited, so if you’ve yet to grab a copy, don’t delay.
Download the Calendar Order Form
Last chance to order a volunteer uniform
Volunteers, this is the last chance to order a shirt for the foreseeable future. Please fill in the form attached and return it to the Friends office before Monday 11 February. No orders will be accepted after that date.
Download the form for more information
Volunteer Parking Permits
2019 parking permits are now available for Friends volunteers.
The permits allow you to park in the driveway and the volunteer only section at the back of the Lodge without getting a ticket from a Park Management Officer. They can only be used on days you are volunteering in the park. Permits can be collected from the Lodge on Tues, Wed or Thurs between 9am and 12pm, or at other times if you call ahead.
Please note there is no parking in the driveway on Tuesday mornings, to allow the Honour Ave Group to get their trailer in and out. Permits are not required elsewhere in the park, but it does assist the PMOs with their patrols if you are able to display one.
Weekend Bushland Carers
2019 Bushland Carers Calendar released.
This year’s dates for the weekend bushland carers volunteer program have been set. Download the calendar below and mark your diaries.
Download the 2019 Bushland Carer Calendar here
What’s on in February
VMG Dig it with Coffee: Native Gardens Advice
Wednesday 6 February
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
February Dates: check the Bushland Carers 2019 Volunteer Program Calendar, under the Volunteering page on our website
Drawn from Nature – showcasing Western Australian diversity.
An exhibition of watercolour paintings by Friends member, Kerry Henry open 23 – 31 March 2019, 10am-4pm.
Gallery and Cultural Centre, Heritage House, 111 Mill Point Road, South Perth
Download the flyer for more information
