President’s view

Chris Russell, BGANZ President

It’s a great honour to pen this report as the new President of BGANZ, fresh from the AGM and Congress in Wellington, New Zealand. Our outgoing President, Paul Tracey, has left big shoes to fill in what is a dynamic time for our organisation. I would like to acknowledge and thank Paul, along with outgoing Treasurer Peter Byron, for many years of dedicated service progressing BGANZ as the peak botanic gardens industry group of our region. It is also timely to welcome our new Treasurer Helen McHugh (ANBG), and welcome back John Arnott (RBG Victoria) to council. We have a strong and vibrant council and I look forward to us progressing the ‘BGANZ agenda’ together. A full list of your Council is listed on the website. Chris Russell

For those who were fortunate enough to attend the BGANZ Congress in Wellington from 20 to 23 October, I’m sure you will join with me in congratulating David Sole and the broader Wellington (and New Zealand) team on creating a wonderful event and making all delegates feel so welcome. Themed Plants from the past: plants for the future, the program provided a range of inspiring speakers, stimulating workshops, and fascinating tours. As with all congresses, the social program provided ample opportunity to see the host city in a different light (after dark!) and continue to build the great trans-Tasman camaraderie that is such a strength of our group.

Council was again pleased to provide travel grants of up to AU$700 to 16 members to attend the congress. This is an important aspect of our program to support involvement from gardens of all sizes and capacities in our activities, and our commitment to remain relevant to gardens big and small. At the congress dinner, we presented the BGANZ Volunteer Award to Sam Moon for her efforts related to BGANZ communications and social media, as well as the BGANZ Professional Development Award to Toby Golson of ANBG for assistance towards a study and conservation program related to the endangered Macadamia jansenii. For the very first time, we also announced the inaugural inductees into the BGANZ Honour Roll, an award identified by council to recognise members who have made a significant contribution to the association for the betterment of botanic gardens across Australia and New Zealand. Not surprisingly, there were quite a few worthy recipients dating back to the founding of BGANZ in 2005. The full list is provided in this edition of THE BOTANIC GARDENer.

Looking ahead, there is much to do to keep our momentum rolling. Our recent success in increasing our revenue base with Augusta Golf Carts and Seasol as valued sponsors is providing much needed resources to do more. This, coupled with our increased involvement in the global plant conservation agenda through our partnering with Botanic Gardens Conservation

International (BGCI) means that we need to continue to grow financially. With that in focus, council has taken the first steps in reviewing our structure in order to achieve Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Council has formed a Governance Working Group to develop a revised organisation structure, and members will be kept informed as we move through the process of putting forward a proposal to consider.

I hope you enjoy this edition, and I encourage everyone to consider contributing in the future. Our strength is our diversity and it’s important we celebrate this through sharing our stories and experiences.

BGANZ Member Bushfire Update

We republish below an article by Chris Russell in response to the bushfire emergency. Since this was written, ANBG suffered severe damage from hail storms on 20 January this year.

The impact of the bushfires across Australia on human life, property, livestock and communities has been severe. The fires are also having a devastating impact on the environment and our native plants and animals. Millions of hectares of habitat have been impacted by fire and hundreds of millions of native animals are estimated to have been affected, including threatened species. Some botanic gardens have already been directly impacted by the recent fires, and others are still be at risk.

BGANZ Council is aware of fires impacting some gardens, but as the fire season is ongoing, full details are yet to be released, so we are relying on media reports at this stage:

The Blue Mountains (Mount Tomah) Botanic Gardens, NSW, has received fire damage.

The Campbell Rhododendron Garden in Blackheath, Blue Mountains, NSW was also impacted.

Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens have had varying levels of damage to collections and with fire still a threat.

Booderee Botanic Gardens, Jervis Bay, NSW, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra, have had significant program cancellations, garden closures and loss of revenue over the summer season, as severe smoke on many days has made it particularly difficult for employees and visitors to be outside – and in some cases administration staff have also been sent home. Further fire threat is expected in coming days and weeks.

Sydney basin and Melbourne, and Victoria and NSW more broadly, have also experienced significant smoke pollution over the last few weeks.

Other gardens in many states across the country may have also been impacted. We will provide further updates as we receive news, so please send through any additional reports you have to secretariat@bganz.org.au so that we can keep members informed.

I would like to commend, on behalf of our BGANZ Council and members, the outstanding dedication all emergency services personnel, both professional and volunteer, have made in all states, as well as the continued efforts of botanic gardens staff under extremely adverse conditions.

Despite such a long and devastating fire season, and I note the fire season is a long way from over, we’ve seen amazing stories of firefighters, community generosity and kindness from so many.

Members have asked how they can donate.

As impacted gardens and parks commence recovery in coming months, in some cases with the redevelopment of lost or damaged living collections, the collaboration of our network will be needed more than ever. BGANZ Council will have a strong focus on how we can coordinate assistance effectively and will provide more information on that soon.

At this point we direct members to organisations assisting survivors of bushfires, of which there are many.

All our thoughts go to those impacted and those in areas with continued fire activity.

Chris Russell BGANZ President

Alive with

celebration

Fifty years and growing

Be captivated by Australian plants, flowers and landscapes from the Rainforest to the Red Centre. Visit the new Banksia Garden to discover the diversity of iconic Australian Banksia – opens 28 April 2020

nationalbotanicgardens.gov.au/gardens