PRESIDENT Marcia Bonhame: bondura@harboursat.com.aup: 6337 1117

VICE PRESIDENT Gillian Baldwine: gbaldwin60@hotmail.comp: 6332 1583

SECRETARY Lyn Burgette: lburgett@assumption-bathurst.nsw.edu.aup: 6331 9170

TREASURER Joanna McLachlane: bandoola1@bigpond.comp: 6337 3810a: ‘Bandoola’, 1566 Orange Road Bathurst 2795

PUBLICITY OFFICER Val Fenne: cv@skymesh.com.aup: 6337 1509

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Bev Wodrowe: oxley1885@ix.net.aup: 6337 5030

STATE COUNCIL DELEGATE Merle Thompsone: merleaps@bigpond.com

PLANT STEWARD Sue Wakefielde: peckatoe@harboursat.com.aup: 6337 4853 m: 0429 789 487

LIBRARIAN Val Fenne: cv@skymesh.com.aup: 6337 1509

COMMITTEE MEMBERSDonna Rathe: the.raths@bigpond.comp: 6336 9091

Fiona Johnsone: cloudyhill@bigpond.comp: 6368 5965

Vivienne Sutherlande: pixies28@harboursat.com.aup: 6331 9928

central west group-newsletter Vol.16 no.5

President’s CommentJulY 2011

P.S. The next committee meeting is on Wednesday, July 13, 12 noon at Bathurst City Panthers Bowling Club, all members are welcome!

Marcia with David Goldney

Many thanks to David Goldney for a very enjoyable and informative talk about The Natural History

of Bathurst. We can now look forward to our next outing, with Colin Fenn passing on his considerable knowledge of carving a sculptured bird bath in stone. Colin has been involved in the art scene, particularly in the Central West, for many years. Callig-raphy in stone, sculpture in stone and works in bronze and stainless steel are currently his main mediums.

The Burrendong Regional Get-together is quickly approaching - actu-ally it is next month - August 27 & 28! Just letting those procrastinate know that registrations will be closing 15th August.

Have you heard that the APSCW District Group members have been invited to support a new garden in Bathurst that gives us an opportunity to promote native plants in a public setting? Interested? Read more from Lyn in this newsletter.

Oh just before I leave - just reminding members to please keep their membership current. If you are unsure of your renewal date you will find it on your membership card. Renewal forms are at the centrefold of Native Plants for NSW journal.

Here’s wishing you good times in your garden on sunny days and good reading in the warmth on the cold days.

See you on July 17 at Val & Colin Fenn’s. Marcia

Entry now FrEE to Botanic GardEns

Premier O’Farrell announced on 10 April that the entry fees to the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah would be removed, effective imme-diately. Friends of the Botanic Gardens says “removing the entrance fee will enable the message of the great works the gardens undertake across conservation, the environment and education to be shared more widely.”

Gillian Baldwin APSCWDG Vice President

The well-known scientist and environmental consultant Da-vid Goldney had been invited by the Australian Plant So-ciety, Central West district group to give a talk about the

natural history of the Bathurst Region. This took place on June 18th in the Bathurst Panthers Club.David has lived and worked in the Bathurst community since 1972. He has written a book, shortly to be published, on the topic of his talk. An enthusiastic group of community members attend-ed and was keen to hear about his research findings.Below is a synopsis of key elements of his talk:

He commenced by explaining that in the eighteenth and nine-teenth centuries the subject of natural history was very popu-lar with the intelligentsia of Europe. This led to many sea-faring expeditions around the world and the collection of examples of the flora and fauna found in far-flung places. Later, the focus of ecology broadened from an interest in particular species to an interest in communities of species. The interest now focuses mainly on eco-systems, landscape ecology and a building up of patterns of understanding of these matters.We know that at one point land on earth consisted of one conti-nent only (Gondwanaland) with Australia’s closest neighbour be-ing Antarctica. The latter had land connections to all of what are now the southern continents of India, Africa and South America. This explains why the family Proteaceae is common to the south-ern continents bar Antarctica where the climate is now too cold. The Bathurst granite, with which we are all familiar, dates back 400 million years and is an igneous rock formed about two kilo-metres below the Earth’s surface.It is believed the Aboriginal people of Australia arrived in this country about 40,000 years or more years ago from the north. This suggests our local Wiradjuri people have been in the Bathurst region for about 1,000 generations. The first Europeans to arrive in Bathurst were led by George Ev-ans on 13th December 1813. When they got here there had obvi-

Central West District Group (CWDG) members are invited to support a new garden in Bathurst that gives us an opportunity to display small and attractive native plants in a public setting.

The garden is in the grounds of Bathurst Independent Living Skills (BILS) located at 369 Stewart Street, Bathurst (on the Blayney Road). BILS is a disability services provider that as-sists users to develop skills needed to work towards their goals, increase their independence, and participate as valued and active members of the community.

In February 2010 the ‘BILS Sensory Garden Project’ was launched by Coordinator Spencer Harvey with the imprimatur of the Bathurst Gardeners’ Club. The aim of the project is to pro-vide an attractive outdoor area that will encourage BILS clients to spend more time outside while maintaining an established garden. Spencer invited the CWDG of the Australian Plants Society to recommend and provide plants for a section of the garden and we agreed. It seemed a timely matter as the opening of the Lisle Pearse Garden in Oberon had recently taken place.

Many Bathurst people and businesses have been involved, with Bathurst Gardeners’ Club members providing most of the manual labour to date. Original design work was created by staff from Churches Nursery and timber structures are being built by Kelso High School students and ‘The Woodies’. So far, concrete paths, a fountain, barbeque and chicken house have been built and top soil brought in.

The CWDG’s section is a sunny corner of the garden about 8m2 and boundary fence where we will provide Callistemon viminalis to provide a screen from the building next door (seen on the left of the photo). It is anticipated planting will commence in spring this year when hard landscaping works should be complete.

The CWDG committee has agreed to individually provide small plants (mostly tube stock) and encourage all members to provide any small, pretty, sun-loving plants for the garden. Please contact any committee member if you wish to provide plants and/or help with planting in spring.

ously been good rainfall and the assumption was made that they had arrived in a very fertile region. The plains were described as thinly wooded, the river flats as having fine grass with daisies, and the waterways as having numerous ponds not drained by creeks. It was only after a few years in the area that droughts of 3 – 5 years with periods between of high rainfall and flooding were reported.Initial agriculture on the box-gum grassy woodlands around Bathurst was successful such that by 1824 the banks of the Macquarie River were covered by European plants. However, it became apparent over time that farming in the European style was not appropriate on the thin soils and very variable climate of the Bathurst region. By 1827 the pastures used for agriculture had been destroyed by overcropping. In the early years of European habitation of the Central Table-lands of NSW (1815 – 1865) the major drivers of the economy were agriculture, mining, infrastructure, hunting, natural history collection and fire suppression.In 1900 there was a rabbit plague. This was followed by the Fed-eration drought of the 1890s through to 1903, with its resultant heatwaves, dust storms and loss of top soil. In turn, there fol-lowed a summer of heavy rain and the landscape by this time was so degraded that major erosion resulted.David pointed out that with the introduction of European agri-culture and feral animals such as cats, foxes, rabbits and rats, many native fauna and flora have become extinct. Further losses can be expected unless efforts are made to repair and restore malfunctioning landscapes. There needs to be a sustained effort to understand the elements that bring about functional diversity and there needs to be an emphasis on applied ecology rather than applied technology in farming practices. Of course extinct species are gone forever, but perhaps future losses can be prevented.

BiLs sEnsory GardEn

tHE natUraL History oF tHE BatHUrst rEGionit’s Plants & it’s People

Lyn Burgett APSCWDG Secretary

Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum

Burrendong Botanic Garden & Arboretum Edited from BBG&A Walk Leaflet.

2011 REGION GET-TOGETHERBurrendong ArboretumWellington, NSWSat 27th & Sun 28th AugustBurrendong Arboretum & APSCW Group are jointly hosting this year’s event

The Arboretum will be at its best in early spring so come and join us in an exciting and varied pro-gram over two days, with some interesting options afterwards

As accommodation could be limited, it is impor-tant to book yourself in as soon as possible. Visit Wellington’s Visitor Information Centre at www.visitwellington.com.au or telephone them on 1800 621 614

What’s on:Guided walks:• Come & see Hakeas, Wattles, Mallees, Mint Bushes and The Fern GullyAngus Stewart• from ABC’s Gardening Australia will run workshops on propagation, pruning & deep stem planting. He will have his latest book for purchase & signings.Colin Fenn• , local rock carving artist, will be demonstrating how he carves native plant im-ages onto stone tablets. A completed tablet will be raffled over the weekend.Plant Sales:• Burrendong staff have been busy growing some of their iconic plants. Eucalyptus CD Launch:• Recently developed, so you can self-drive around & see these magnificent trees while listening to interest-ing facts about each species.Wellington Caves• Saturday Evening Dinner & guided tours of Cathedral & Gaden Caves or the Phosphate mine.Mount Arthur Ranger Walk• (Optional) Free Sunday afternoon following the farewell lunch. Mt Arthur is a crown reaserve for public recreation, covering about 2,123 ha with 16km of walking tracks. ‘Wildflowers of the Pilliga Sandstone’• (Optional) Tagalong Tour - Mon. & Tues Day 1: Goonoo State Conservation Area on the outskirts of Dubbo. Renowned for the mass displays of spring flowers. Day 2: Pillaga Forest “million wild acres”, north of Coonabarabran. Wonderful large forest has many diverse habitats, & vast displays of spectacular wildflowers. Day 3: Optional morning walk in the nearby Timor Rock investigating the hanging swamp & rocky heath.

To register for any/all of the above, visit www.burrendongarboretum.org where you can download the registration form

For further information Contact:Mike Augee E:fossil@well-com.net.auT: 02 6845 4294

Full program & costs will be published in the next APS journal and also loaded onto Burrendong’s webpage: www.burendongarboretum.org

This informative article is the forth in a series providing just a glimpse of the Arboretum’s unique and incredibly diverse Australian flora that are grown for display and study ensuring the continued enjoyment for all visitors.

the Fern walk The whole of the Fern Gully canopy, landscaping and plantings were com-pletely funded from donations of money and volunteer labour from the SGAP, the Fern Study Group, businesses and individuals. Pet Althofer’s vision and enthusiasm brought the project to fruition.

The entry is under the canopy past a group of rain forest trees. Many of these species are descended from the ancient Gondwana forest trees that covered Australia about 60 million years ago. Shade and moisture provide a suitable environment for ferns, lilies, orchids and many other plants that could not otherwise survive in Wellington’s hot and dry climate.

Davidsonia pruriens Davidson PlumStrangely shaped leaves. A rare species from the rain forests of the NSW north coast. Its large purple fruits were eaten by the early settlers.

Adiantum aethiopicum Common Maidenhair FernOn the high rocky bank masses are grown, one of the very few ferns which grow naturally in the Wellington district.

Cordyline stricta Slender Palm LilyHas narrow leaves and blackish berries. It is widepsread in eastern Austra-lia and is common in rain forests and along stream banks - even into moist spaces in open forest. It is quite drought hardy and can be grown indoors in fairly dark situations. Although slightly frost tender, the damaged growth is soon replaced by suckers.

Oleria argophylla Native Musk or Silver DaisybushMember of the daisy family. It grows into a small tree in wet sclerophyll for-ests and on rain forest margins from the Barrington Tops to Victoria and down to Tasmania.

Dendrocnide excelsa Giant Stinging TreeThe leaves are large and hairy. Leaves, fruit and young stems are covered in hairs that when touched cause a long lasting, intense sting. Closely related to the common Stinging Nettle.

Livistona australis Cabbagetree PalmsThe fan-shaped leaves were used for making the cabbage tree hats of the early settlers. The fronds were also used for thatching and weaving, and the aborigines ate the tightly folded leaf buds. These palms grow in coastal swamps from Victoria to Queensland.

Todea barbara King FernsThis family of ferns, the Osmundaceae, is extremely ancient and has fossil ancestors much older than Cycads.

Doodia aspera Prickly Rasp FernSo called because of its rough leathery fronds. It is common over most of eastern Australia and often has new fronds of a bright pink colour.

Elaeocarpus reticulatus Blueberry AshAttractive white to pink bell-shaped flowers followed by bright blue olive-shaped fruit. In coastal rain forests these fruit are a favourite food of the Satin Bowerbirds.

Doodia aspera (Prickly Rasp Fern)Illustration by Marion Westmacott

The Concise Australian Flora

central west group-newsletter JulY 2011

Have you heard?NurseriesBilby Blooms of BinnawayBy appointment only, recent plant list availableNative plants for gardens & revegetation projectsContact: Annabelle or AnthonyT: 02 6844 1044E: bilby.blooms@tpg.com.au

Blue Wren Bush FarmWattle FlatInclude local seed salesContact: Geoffrey WindsorT: 02 6337 7155

Glenbrook Native Plant ReserveGreat Western Highway, GlenbrookOpen: 12pm-4pm, Sat, Sun, Wed

Oberon Plateau Farm Trees‘Bennelong’, 539 Mozart Rd. OberonNative tube stock for gardens, windbreaks, wildlife refuges and revegetation

Contact: Clea & John RalphT: 02 6335 8468E: winter@ix.net.au

Riverside Nursery171-191 Morrisset St., BathurstWe grow & stock a unique range of acclima-tised roses, trees, shrubs, conifers seedlings and native.Open: Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm Sun, 10am-5pmT: 02 6331 3121

Wombat Gully Native Nursery1729 Coxs Creek Rd. Rylstone 2849We grow trees & shrubs in recycled milk cartons for revegetation projects throughout the district. 10% discountContact: Carmel Spark T: 02 6379 6202E: carmelspark@gmail.com

Have your sayWe would love to hear from youWhy not submit an article, poem or a saying for the next newsletter?Just send your ideas and articles to the news-letter editor.

New membersWe are always pleased to welcome new members. Just contact the treasurer.

The PlanT SocieTy library is available to members. There is no charge for the use of books. We request that books borrowed be returned in reasonable time. The library can be expected at each outing. Members can contact Val before outings or committee meetings to confirm the books will be there. (Details on page one) There is a wide range of interesting books. The most detailed and botanically informative are the four volumes of “Flora of New South Wales”. These are invaluable for an enthusi-ast seeking the fine points of identification. With these superb volumes, be prepared for detailed botanical language.

From the LibrarianAs seen on TV....The family in CSU Orange water towerLog on to www.gumtreecs.com.au. And be part of a very entertaining family!

10% discount

What’s on for members?Colin FennHow to build your own bird bathAdvance booking essentialSunday, July 17,10:00am

Our hosts are Val & Colin Fenn125 Whalens Lane DuramanaT: 6337 1509Bring: Picnic Lunch. Safety EquipmentTea & coffee, light morning & afternoon tea will be provided.Directions: From the Eglington bridge pro-ceed along Hamilton Street, turn left into Wellington Street then right onto Duramna Road. The 2BS radio towers will be on the left. Travel approximately 6km and turn left into Whalan’s Lane. Go 1km to the fork in the road. Keep right, up the hill about 300mt. Lookf for a large post and rail fence. 123 is on the gate.Carpooling:Bathurst McDonalds, 9:30amContact Marcia Bonham if you require car-pooling.

VieW pAsT NeWsLeTTers oNLiNe: http://apscw.wordpress.com/previous-newsletters/

Dates to be marked for your diary

August 27 & 28BURRENDONG ARBORETUM REGIONAL GET-TOGETHERRegistration close 15th August

For further information:Contact: Mike AugeeE: fossil@well-com.net.auT: 02 6845 4294For accommodation:www.visitwellington.com.auT: 1800 621 614

September 25Garden visit

October 15Garden visit

November 27End of year Function

International Garden Photographerof the Year exhibition11-28 August 201110am - 4pm dailyLion Gate LodgeRoyal Botanic Garden, Sydney

For the first time in Australia an exhibition of stunning images from the acclaimed IG-POTY 2010 competition will be held pre-sented by Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

Exhibited annually in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the prestigious IGPOTY ex-hibition is viewed by visitors from all over the world. The Sydney IGPOTY exhbition will showcase over 60 IGPOTY entries in-cluding winners and a selection of finalists from the fourth IGPOTY competition.

Exhibition entry:Friends Member $5Non-member $7.50Child $2.50 (Free for children under 10)

Further information please contact:Janine SmithFriends of the Botanic GardensJanine.Smith@rbgsyd.nsw.gov.auT: 02 9231 8182

The fifth IGPOTY competition is now open. The closing date for submission of entries is 30 November 2011. For more details and to enter the competi-tion go to www.igpoty.com