Tony Scalzo on Wax Flowers

How does one get from a PhD in the immune response to the influenza virus (and a rewarding and successful 25-year career in biomedical research) to working at Kings Park in the Plant Development Team?

This is part of Tony Scalzo’s story that he will share with the Perth Branch of the Wildflower Society on Tuesday 13th March.  As you can see from the photograph, Tony continues to work at ‘micro’ level but now with Wax Flowers (Chamelaucium genus).  Geraldton Wax is just one of the Wax Flowers. Tony is specifically looking at novel breeding for Wax Flowers for gardens and will introduce us to this fascinating area of plant research as part of his talk.

While Tony has worked with Kings Park since 2011, this was not the beginning of his association with native plants – having had an interest since he first went to university.  When he came to WA he joined the Friends of Kings Park and almost immediately the Friends committee.  His key role with the Friends (other than stint as President) is editing For People and Plants, the Friends magazine.

Into his 19th year on the committee Tony continues to edit the magazine and has just worked on the 100th issue. This considerable achievement is underpinned by a story of Tony’s developing writing skills but you will need to come to the talk to hear about this (or read his article in the magazine).

Meetings of the Perth Branch of the Society are held on the second Tuesday of each month in the Subiaco Community Centre across the road from Crossways Shopping centre in Bagot Road.  Doors open at 7.45pm and the meeting begins at 8pm. Supper is served after the talk and everyone is eligible for the night’s door prize. You do not