At the Royal Show

In the 60th year of the Wildflower Society we are celebrating by having a presence at the Perth Royal Show for the first time in a very long while.  It is a great success!  Lots of interaction and a great quiz on ‘Guess if it is a weed or wildflower?’ More than 40 bug hotels are heading to new homes and the children worked with their siblings to create a limited edition, one per family ‘air bee ‘n bee’ habitat made of recycled materials. Well done to everyone who made it happen (especially Christine!).

Images:  F Arcaro

RSVP by 13 September

WSWA members only are invited to visit the delightful garden of a Society member in Gidgegannup on Saturday 15 September 2018.   Please RSVP to the Society Office by email  enquiry@wildflowersocietywa.org.au  or phone 9383 7979 by Tuesday 11 September 2018.  More details in the newsletter or September email update, or contact enquiry@wildflowersocietywa.org.au

RSVP EXTENDED TO 13 SEPTEMBER

My Experience from working in Conservation

Disclaimer: this article covers my Personal biased experience of working in conservation.

 

Now this might be a subject that interests a few people.

There are several branches to working in Conservation. But I will be talking about what I have the most experience in.

The physical labour of conservation work is highly seasonal, due entirely to weather and contracts. Most people in this branch of the industry are casual workers who will have absolutely no work during the Summer to late Autumn. So for about 4 – 5 months of the year, there is no work.

This is where a lot of people start before moving on, where a lot of people become stuck and where some people willingly stay. Because of the highly seasonal work there really is not that much opportunity for full-time employment in this branch of conservation.

Some people in this part and others will gain (become trapped, depending on your view) in the “full-time casual” position. Meaning you will have Full-time hours, but you will not be getting sick leave or annual leave. Every hour you are not working is an hour you are not getting paid. Even when you have a crippling flu.

And it is this part of the industry where you will experience the most strain on your body. Hand weeding pelargonium and pigface, working in the cold rain and the delirium inducing heat. In 100% humidity I might add. Planting in pure rock, steep sand dunes that make your knees dislocate and worst of all. Walking through that ungodly hell plant Acacia pulchella.

A lot of people don’t realise how hard Conservation work is. Most people just want the rewards of this field without putting in any work. One reward for this all this hard work is, you gain extremely valuable experience in addition to the skills and job referrals.

Around May – September I will always see wildflowers, and lots of them. I will even see quite a few orchids and uncommon plant species I would otherwise not normally encounter. Not only that I also get to work in some pretty nice locations, excluded from the public.

And almost all the people you work with will have a similar interest in their work. So you end up also making some nice friends as well.

 

Written by Mathew. W

Renewals Coming Soon

Many members will be renewing within the next six weeks.  Renewals can be made online on the ‘My Membership’ page – which is under the ‘Members’ main menu.  This Members Only area requires a password, although if you have previously logged into the system (on the same computer or device) you should get automatic entry.

Once on the ‘My Membership’ page, you will see the word ‘Renew’ in very small letters under your membership type.  Press the words and follow the instructions!

If you have any trouble renewing, or logging in, please email memberships@wildflowersocietywa.org.au for assistance from a volunteer member.  Of course, you can always renew in the usual way – with a cheque by post, or by telephoning the office during normal business hours and providing details over the phone.

Thank you for your support!

Mary Bremner Grant – New Round Closes 1st Oct

Volunteer community groups, Society sub-committees and Branches are all eligible to apply for small grants (up to $2,000).  Projects should align with at least one of the Society’s main objectives to Know Grow, Enjoy and Conserve WA wildflowers.

For grant guideleines please mail Honorary Secretary enquiry@wildflowersocietywa.org.au or ring the office Tuesday or Thursday 10am – 2pm on 08 9383 7979

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1st OCTOBER 2018

YOU MUST READ THE FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRANTS PROGRAMME BEFORE APPLYING.  DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY ARE AT THE END OF THE GRANTS INFORMATION PAGE HERE.

Newsletter now online – Members Only

The Wildflower Society of WA newsletter (August 2018, Vol 56 No 3) has now been published electronically.  All members are entitled to view and download the electronic newsletter.  The printed newsletter should be posted to those who have requested a hard copy (no green discount) in the next several weeks.

You may view the newsletter online by going to the ‘Members’ tab at the top of any page of the WSWA website, then choose ‘Newsletters’ at the side of the page.

Or link to the newsletter page here.

If you are having trouble logging in, it may be that your membership is overdue.  Please ring Perry House to inquire during office hours, or email memberships@wildflowersocietywa.org.au at any time.

 

Wildflower Society Members Update – July

The most recent monthly update from the Management Committee is now available on our website, access exclusively for Members only. Log in to the Members area and then the tab ‘Management Committee Updates.’ If you have any difficulties logging in to the system, please email our volunteer administrator at memberships@wildflowersocietywa.org.au – we can reset your password, give you a simpler password, or guide you through the log-in procedure.  Link here.

Most members will have received an email copy of the Update recently.  If you did not receive this, it is possible that the Society does not have your correct email address.  Please ring Perry House or contact members@wildflowersocietywa.org.au to check.

Propagation Workshop 11/12 August

 

THE PROPAGATION WORKSHOP IS NOW FULL – SORRY IF YOU MISSED OUT BUT WATCH THIS SITE FOR THE NEXT EVENT. Come to the Northern Suburbs branch Propagation Workshop on 11/12 August at our nursery at Landsdale Farm School, Evandale Rd, Darch. “Grow Your Own West Australian Wildflowers” is the theme and the workshop includes practical sessions, talks, Q&A and identification activities. Guest speaker on Saturday night is renowned botanist Greg Keighery, on “Something Old, New, Beautiful & Blue – Wildflowers for the Garden”. Full program is on the Northern Suburbs branch page or below. Cost of $50 for the weekend includes all meals (including sausage sizzle dinner Saturday), all activities and a ‘How to Propagate’ booklet. Contact Christine on 0430 013 354 or randccurry@gmail.com to register (pay on the day).2018 Propagation Workshop Program Final

2018 AGM and Conference

The Armadale Branch is proud to be hosting the Society’s 2018 State Conference and Annual General Meeting with a full weekend of planned events. Starting on Friday evening 22nd June will be the official opening of an Art Exhibition of botanical artists at Avocados Reception Centre, Kelmscott. On Saturday 23rd after the State Conference and AGM, just a short walk to History House, attendees can view an Historic Wildflowers Exhibit of the Armadale region and enjoy some refreshments. Saturday evening’s dinner at The Dale Bar and Bistro will also commemorate the Society’s 60th anniversary.

Sunday 24th will be the post-conference seminar with informative talks from professors Hans Lambers, John Bailey and Stephen Hopper. After lunch, a choice of guided walks in four selected reserves in the Armadale region.

Details of the weekend – including Registration Forms – can be found on the Armadale Branch page here.