Catching up with Friends

The Carnival on Collins event is always a big week for the Friends who are proud of having initiated the first Spring Festival on Collins Ave way back in 1990. We were very close to cancelling or postponing Jazz Under the Stars after a wet week that ended with a completely grey sky and very soggy grass at decision time at midday on Saturday 3 September. Fortunately, we decided to go ahead; the rain held off and 450 people brought waterproof rugs to sit on and enjoy a fabulous repertoire put together by Bernie Lee Long and the Jazz Club. We received lots of favourable comments with the South American dancers in the audience particularly appreciated. We woke up next morning to a clear day for the Fathers’ Day Carnival on Collins Plant Sale, which was another success. The Gardeneers put lots of work into setting up for the plant sale. They were there on the day, along with other Friends’ members who operated the usual plant cloakroom to enable plant buyers to leave their plants while they visited other carnival attractions. About $17,000 was raised at the two events; more funds to enhance our lovely Gardens. Gardens staff and volunteers worked hard to set up. Thanks Dave and crew. The Cairns Botanic Gardens curator, Dr Charles Clarke has implemented a new system to identify plants in the Gardens. The Friends purchased a labelling machine and software to enable this to be progressively implemented. The fogging machine in the Gardens Rainforest Gully has been installed, creating a misty atmosphere for visitors as well as improving plant growth. We’ve funded two portable amplifiers to make a better participant experience when we hold moth nights in the Gardens and at Cattana Wetlands. Team leader Louisa Grandy is delighted that we have funded a new Elefantus entry gate and path to the Green Space Our Place education garden in Greenslopes Street. This space provides education in growing produce with a variety of methods. We have a continuous electronic copy and will soon take delivery of the facsimile copy of the 1880’s Accessions register, which we had restored earlier in the year.

Christmas Plant Sale

More than $7,500 was raised at the Christmas plant sale on 4 December ending a very successful year for the Gardeneers.

Life Membership Awards

Life membership

The Friends Committee members and Gardeneers group enjoyed a very pleasant morning tea in September when both Judith Pedersen and Lee Ross were awarded with Life Membership of the Friends. Judith has kept our library running for 20 years and Lee has been one of our most active members playing leadership roles on the committee, organising events, writing submissions and now working with the Gardeneers. We sincerely thank them for their work.

Shop and Guided Tour 2023 dates

Garden Guided Walks resume on Monday 27 February. Friends Shop reopens Monday 9 January. Mornings only for January. Gardeneers Trolley sales resume Wednesday 1 February.

NOTE: Bird Tours will continue as usual on Tuesday mornings at 8.30am. From 3 January 2023 the tours will begin at 7.30am.