Volunteers Voice - Cairns Regional Council

Cairns Regional Council - Parks & Leisure
Issue 3 - June 2014
Volunteers Voice
This newsletter will be
published quarterly,
showcasing articles
and photographs on
volunteer activities
throughout Council’s
Parks & Leisure
branch.
In this issue:
• ‘As we explore, we
grow’
• Friends House
- great asset to
Gardens
• New Friends
Committee
• Volunteer Profile
• Jabiru News
• Volunteer
Recognition
Morning Tea
• Plant Information:
Heliconia
• Watch a movie
under the stars
• Community Spirit
grows in Kewarra
• What’s On
Making a difference
in Cairns
‘As we explore we grow’
Little Taccas Children’s
Nature Activities Program
is underway and what
amazing weather to start
this new program! Fifteen
children, their carers and our
volunteers (pictured above
in red shirts) Del van Mierlo,
Natasha Stanley, Chris Brett
and Peter Hunt, explored the
gardens on a perfect sunny
day.
Volunteers play an integral
role in promoting the Botanic
Gardens and were pleased
to offer support to the new
‘Little Taccas’ program,
named after the tropical plant
Tacca integrifolia.
This program was created
to encourage children to
learn about and experience
the natural world whilst also
forming friendships, as well
as giving them opportunity
to develop and grow through
the support of caring
volunteers and supportive
parents in a safe, yet active,
natural environment. It was
also developed with the
aim to connect parents and
their children within the
community whilst teaching
them more about natureactivities such as garden
discovery walks, nature based
art & craft and story-telling
and sing-alongs.
Each fortnight has a different
theme including Flowers,
Who Lives at the Lakes?,
Treasure Hunt, Picnic in
the Park, Caterpillars &
Butterflies to name a few.
small flower arrangements.
The 15 May session involved
a walk through the Lakes to
see the birdlife and animals
that use the lake for survival.
The children were especially
excited with a Treasure
Hunt activity on 29 May.
They were asked to locate
an item correlating with the
six colours painted in their
supplied egg cartons.
The first adventure on 1 May
involved a walk through the All enquires can be directed
Botanic Gardens to learn to Botanic Gardens Visitors
about flowers and create Centre 4032 6650.
‘Little Tacca’ Lucas using 5-Corner Fruit and paint
Page 2
Volunteers Voice
Friends House - a great asset to Gardens
wealth of information for
visitors enquiring about
flora and fauna. Members
and visitors are welcome
to peruse this extensive
collection in the library.
VOLUNTEER
COMMENTS
Volunteer Anthony
Quinsey shifted to
Sydney late last year
to begin a horticultural
career
When Council opened
the Visitors Centre two
years ago, the Friends of
Botanic Gardens were
granted space in the old
Flecker Gardens office.
“I had a great time
volunteering for Cairns
Botanic Gardens and
thank you for your
encouragement.
I’ve learned so much
about what it’s like to
work in a garden and
it made me fitter to
handle regular gardening
work, especially in hot
weather. As you know,
I plan on making a
career in gardening and
doing a TAFE Cert. III
in Horticulture and my
experiences with the
Down ‘n’ Dirty group have
really put me good stead
for that.
What I liked was that
you would always point
out plant names and how
friendly people are.”
After some refurbishment,
the
reference
library
and shop opened for
business. The reference
library is ably managed
by Mrs Judith Pedersen
(pictured above right)
who has spent a number
of years cataloguing this
great collection. There is a
The shop is wholly
maintained by volunteers
with all profits going back
to the Gardens.
The volunteers under the
guidance of Mrs Del van
Mierlo (pictured above
left) are invaluable in the
operation of the shop.
Quite a few visitors have
enquired as to where the
orchid house is and the
volunteers are happy to
advise them of the building
of the new conservatory
later this year.
of
mid-priced goods
which are easy to pack for
travellers. The majority of
the stock is locally sourced.
We welcome anyone who
wishes to volunteer in the
shop and assure you that
you will meet a range of
interesting people from
all over the world. Please
telephone 4032 6648 if
you wish to assist.
Shop and library opening Our thanks to all gardeners
hours are 9.30am-3.30pm who assist the volunteers.
Mondays to Fridays with - Norma Wright
the shop stocking a range
Friends Committee elected in March
(from left, top): members: Peter
Shanahan, Nelson Barnes; Patron: Dr David Rentz, Membership: Jackie Frost; Guest
Speaker: Anne-Marie Van Rath; member: Sandy Long; Secretary: Sybil Cumming;
FOBG Newsletter Editor: Rita Sheldrick; (Front:) Publicity & PR, Dr Gail Sidorkin;
President: Val Schier; Vice President, Coralie Stuart and Treasurer Marian Altis.
Absent: Events & Functions Coordinator Paul Barron.
Volunteers Voice
Lorraine Smith
recently retired from the
Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Cairns (FOBG) after
12 years volunteering in various roles. Volunteers Voice
decided this was a great opportunity to gain some
insight into Lorraine’s broad life experience and what
led her to volunteer for FOBG.
Lorraine has always had a love for gardens growing up
on a farm in Wangaratta, Victoria where her mother
had a beautiful garden. As a child she combined this
with her passion for writing and would submit articles
to the local newspapers. “I would write about anything
rural as I loved to see my by-line,” she laughed.
At an early age Lorraine also loved to read which led to
a keen interest in travel. “My favourite school subjects
were history and geography. I always loved to read and
wanted to visit the magical places I’d read about as a
child such as India, Timbuktu, Cairo and the middle
east, Syria, and especially Damascus, the world’s oldest
continually settled city. To achieve this I realised I’d
better earn some money so moved to Melbourne and
became a stenographer” (a job that is more or less
extinct).
Once she had saved enough money Lorraine travelled
to the United States in 1959 and gained employment
as a cleark with the Australian Consulate in New York.
“I then travelled onto England and worked temporarily
for a couple of months as a program secretary at
the BBC before I hired a car with some girlfriends
and travelled around Europe. The BBC asked me to
contact them upon my return, which I did and became
a Program Assistant, typing scripts, timing programs
and cueing cameras. I loved this job and met some
interesting people,” she said smiling with the memories.
The travel bug hit again and Lorraine hitch-hiked to
Turkey. “It was completely different in the 60s, safe.
People were so friendly and opened their doors..
Women were segregated and because I was a foreign
woman I was considered above the local women and
Page 3
ate with the men
which
seemed
strange,
another
custom to get used
to” she explained.
“On my way to Turkey, through Europe - I worked
for a couple of weeks picking grapes in Champagne,
France. Every time I saw a grape vine after that my
back ached from the memory,” she laughed. “There
were no showers for the harvest workers, just a hose,
and it was so cold!”
With such extensive travels Loraine has many
experiences to share. Whilst working at the Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development in the
library of Turkey’s Parliament House Lorraine scored
a job editing Turkey’s first 5-year plan of development.
“My main qualification was that I spoke fluent English,
but in those days it was all about being in the right place
at the right time. I enjoyed this job. It was fascinating
times with an attempted coup by a political group with
tanks rolling down the streets. But the pay wasn’t always
on time, so after a year I realised it was time to leave.”
Lorraine has also worked for London’s The Economist
Intelligence sourcing articles from a team of writers,
and was a student at the Paris Cordon Bleu which gave
her the experience necessary to work as a sub-editor in
an English women’s magazine in the cookery section
- “This is where my life as a journalist really started.”
“I moved to Hong Kong a few years later, and lived
there on and off for 19 years. I loved it! It is such a
vibrant, alive city and things happened fast.”
Lorraine worked at the Hong Kong Standard (women’s
editor), Radio Television Hong Kong (TV programme
producer), Trade Development Council (economics
editor), Trade Media (trade magazine editor), Hong
Kong Telecom (PR) and the Tourist Association (PR).
After 10 years in Hong Kong she went to Cyprus and
Continued page 4
Page 4
Volunteers Voice
Jabiru
News
Cattana Wetland Jabiru Volunteers have been acknowledged for their early
efforts by Cairns Regional Council. Cr. Jessie Richardson (floral shirt) recently visited
some of the volunteers, pictured from left, Sandy Long, Jeff Pretty, Rick and Sharren
Wong and Prue Fitzpatrick to get a feel of their work. Members not pictured at the
time were Prince Jose and Rebecca Johnson. Word of their volunteer work has been
spreading with six new members joining this year - welcome Jeff Pretty, Tessa Ducie,
Marion Wright, Peter Sheehan, Shane Gray and Chris Cruise, and also welcome back
Alex Edwards who was with the original group at Stratford Nursery. You are most
welcome to join the Jabirus if working at Cattana Wetlands clearing weeds, mulching and
planting appeals to you. See contact details back page.
Volunteer Profile - from page 3
worked for a year for Bahrain headquartered Al Hilal,
editing two trade magazines. “The company closed its
Nicosia office and I returned to Hong Kong.
“When my work permit expired and my lease and work
contract finished it was time to leave and I returned to
Sydney, Australia at the age of 60. It was hard to return
after all those years abroad as I had no contacts which
made it difficult to gain permanent work, I could only
find part time jobs in journalism.”
Being retired gave Lorraine the time to volunteer.
Her roles were varied with FOBG - a ‘Gardeneer’ for
several years, newsletter editor for seven years, publicity
officer on the Friends Committee, cooked dinners for
Wednesday’s guest speaker nights, and most recently
organised the Friends’ House volunteer roster. Wh en
asked what she would do with her spare time now she
was retired from FOBG, Lorraine explained that as
volunteer head usher at the Jute Theatre, a member of
Anglicare’s volunteer group, as well as a book club, she
has plenty to keep her busy.
Not liking the ‘wet and windy weather” in Sydney
Lorraine retired and came to Cairns in 2002. She decided
this was the place to be especially when she was able
to join the Friends and be among the beautiful tropical
botanic gardens.
“I enjoy volunteering as it keeps me active and I enjoy
meeting people. The highlight of being an FOBG
member has been the people I’ve met over the years as
well as the education I’ve had in tropical horticulture.”
Volunteers Voice
Page 5
Volunteer Recognition Morning Tea
A thank you morning tea to acknowledge volunteers
who work at Cairns Botanic Gardens, Catttana
Wetlands and within local residential areas was
held on April 23 at the Visitors Centre with Mayor
Bob Manning giving a speech of recognition and
praise to our volunteers.
attitude of ‘it’s not what I can do for myself, but what I
can do for my community’ is what we need to continue
building a successful city.
“These volunteers put their time and effort into keeping
the Botanic Gardens precinct and Cattana Wetlands
looking their best for others to enjoy.
“They educate visitors, pull out weeds, plant trees,
propagate plants, tackle major landscaping projects,
work on the plant database and raise funds. And they
do it all with a smile and a willingness to contribute to
their community.”
Mayor Bob Manning with Jabiru volunteers Rick
Wong and Donna Pansino
About 80 local people regularly give their time as
members of the Friends of the Botanic Gardens, the
Down ’n’ Dirty Group, Gardeneers, Plant Database
group, Cattana Wetlands Jabirus and the newest
addition, Little Taccas.
This morning tea provided an opportunity for Cr
Manning to acknowledge the efforts put in by volunteers
over the past year.
Cr Manning praised the community spirit saying “the
“There efforts
include
the
construction
of the vertical
garden outside
the
Friends
H o u s e ,
propagating and
selling hundreds
of
plants,
providing
guided
tours
Friends Lee Ross and Gail
to gardens visitors
Sedorkin
and an ongoing
fundraising effort that has contributed $95,000 to the
soon-to-be-built Botanic Gardens Conservatory.”
Mayor Bob Manning with volunteers (from left) Sandy Long, Peter Hunt, Rick Streatfield, Prince Jose, Prue
Fitzpatrick and Leonie Sequeira (olive shirts Down ‘n’ Dirty & Gardeneers, red - Little Taccas, blue - Jabirus
Page 6
Volunteers Voice
Plant Information: Zingiberales
Heliconias - create instant tropical look
H. standleyi
Over the next few see them) and often long
issues we will cover the petioles
fascinating Zingiberales • Large, usually colourful,
plant order beginning bracteate inflorescences
with
the
popular • Underground rhizomes
Heliconia family.
(tuber-like plant growth).
There are 250 species
The Zingiberales are a of Heliconia distributed
world of discovery with primarily in the neotropics
plants
ranging
from with a large range of
Calatheas
with
their growth form and habit.
beautifully
patterned
leaves, to the much loved Due to their various growth
Gingers and Heliconias form and habit it doesn’t
with their striking flowers, matter
whether
your
and the more unusual selection criteria is light
Orchidanthas.
intensity, size, hardiness
or flower colour, there is
In addition to the many usually a Heliconia that will
cellular
features
that suit every situation.
distinguish the Zingiberales In general, Heliconia
from other plants, there are fall into two main forms
several very conspicuous - erect and pendant,
characters
by
which referring to the habit of
they can be recognised the inflorescences. In the
including:
case of ‘erect’ types the
flowers grow in an upright
• Large leaves with blades manner, while ‘pendant’
possessing
transverse forms cascade toward the
(parallel) venation (hold ground.
a leaf up to the light and Erect Heliconias
you will be able to clearly These Heliconias certainly
offer the widest range
of plant sizes including
the large H.caribaeas
and
H.bihais
which
reach heights of over 6
metres, the medium size
H.stricta cultivars, to the
H.psittacorum varieties
that may reach only 0.5m.
Pendant Heliconias
Pendant
species
are
some of the most
dazzling of Heliconias
with their showy chains
of pendulous flowers.
The plants themselves
are tall, from 2 to 6
metres in height, but are
generally less spreading,
for example, the H.
chartaceas. The more
recent introductions, H.
chartacea cv.Sexy Pink
and H.chartacea cv. Sexy
Scarlet are two of the best
known and loved of the
chartacea cultivars.
Reference: Heliconia- An
Identification Guide, Fred
Berry and W.John Kress.
H.longiflora, H. mutisiana, H. psittacorum cv. Sassay, H.bihai cv. Manoa Sunrise, H cultivar can all be found in
the Cairns Botanic Gardens. A Heliconia self-guided walk is available at the Friends’ House.
Volunteers Voice
Page 7
Watch a movie under the stars
the rains cleared for the
first showing on Wednesday
28 May with an old classic
Elvis Presley movie, ‘King
Creole’. This movie was
well received with many
compliments for the return
of this wonderful event.
wickedly funny black comedy
‘The Big Lebowski’ will be
screening.
All tickets are available cash
sales only at the McDonnell
St gate entry.
Adults $13.00;
members
and concession $10.00,
school students $5.00.
Family $30. See website:
www.star r ynightcinema.
com.au
Next screening is ‘The
Croods’ on 25 June which
the kids will love. This is
an animated film that has
it all, captivating characters,
rich thematic visuals and an
adventurous quest.
Friends
of
Botanic
Gardens Cairns are excited
to be once again working
with End Credits to host
Starry Night Cinema, a
fantastic fund-raising event
held on the Gardens’ back
lawn under the stars.
Movies will be screening on
the last Wednesday of the
month at 7pm.
Much to the organisers relief
23 July will see the on screen
blossoming of Judy Garland
in Vincent Minnelli’s careeer
making hit ‘Meet me in St.
Louis’, one of Hollywood’s
all-time great musicals and
most astonishing achivements
in technicolour.
On 27 August the stylish and
Community spirit grows in Kewarra
Kewarra Beach resident
volunteers continue to
grow in numbers with
three
new
members
assisting on a weekly basis.
safety aspects are covered.
For example, plants must
be low maintenance and
those planted near road
verges must be of a certain
height for clear visibility
Spokesperson for the for both motorists and
group
Mike
Denney pedestrians.
(pictured right) says the
community is very positive Building
community
with this gardening project spirit is well supported
with pleasing comments by Council who offers its
from those who pass by.
services where possible.
Recently the volunteers
have
exchanged
the
annual flowering theme to
evergreen flowering shrubs
and added more native
species. This follows a new
Council policy to ensure all
If you would like to
beautify your area please
telephone 4032 6648 to
gain approval, discuss
ideas and become a
registered volunteer with
Cairns Regional Council.
Cairns Regional Council - Parks & Leisure
Cairns Regional Council
PO Box 359, Cairns Q 4870 Australia.
07 4032 6650
Cairns Botanic Gardens
64 Collins Ave,
Edge Hill, Cairns Q 4870, Australia
4032 6650
Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Cairns
4032 3900
We’re on the Web & Facebook
www.cairns.qld.gov.au
www.cairnsbotanicgardens.com.au
What’s On
• Jazz under the Stars Saturday,
September 6, 6.30-9.30pm.
Volunteers Voice
Interested in Volunteering?
If you are interested in supporting any of the following
volunteer programs please contact Public Relations &
Volunteers Officer Louisa Grandy 4032 6648:
• Visitor Guides
• Public Relations & Shop assistance
• Tuesdays - Cattana Wetlands Jabirus
• Wednesdays - Botanic Gardens Down ’n’ Dirty Volunteers
• Children’s Nature Activities Program - Little Taccas.
For Friends of the Botanic Gardens membership details email
info@botanicfriendscairns.com.au or telephone 4032 3900.
Contributions:
Please submit articles (must be volunteer or plant based) by
August for the next quarterly publication in September.
Email: l.grandy@cairns.qld.gov.au. Please note articles are
subject to editing.
Plant sales
• Carnival on Collins Father’s Day,
Sunday, September 7, 9am until 3pm.
This is one of Cairns best attended
events of the year. There is something
for everyone - entertainment for all age
groups, stalls with plants, art & craft,
clothing, toys and a variety of food
outlets.
• Starry Night Cinema last Wednesday
of the month. Cash sales only at the
MacDonnell St gate. (See article Page 7
for further details)
• Friends ‘Talks’ are held the 2nd
Wednesday of the month from 6.30pm
in the Friends House amenities area.
Members and non-members welcome.
• Friends ‘Walk & Talks’ are held the
2nd Saturday of the month from 9amnoon at the Cairns Botanic Gardens
Visitors Centre. Members and nonmembers welcome.
Gardeneers’ plant sales are held each Wednesday
outside the Friends’ House from 9.30-11.30am