Friends of South Surrey Park News August 2010

Friends of South Surrey Park (Inc.)

Sunday 26 September, 10 am to midday

Bring family, friends and other willing workers to help

Extend the old plantation below Union Road

Wear sensible work clothes including sun hat, workgloves

and sturdy footwear, and bring a raincoat in case of forecast rain

Stay afterwards for free drinks, bickies and a chat

FRIENDS  OF  SOUTH  SURREY  PARK  NEWS – SEPTEMBER  2010

On Sunday 29 August fourteen volunteers, including local Box Hill MLA Rob Clark, enjoyed a pleasantly warm morning to plant about 600 seedlings. Even at the end of the wettest winter for years, the clay bank behind the Riversdale Road shops carpark was surprisingly dry, but got a good soaking with 11 mm rain a few days later.  

This Sunday 26 September, we’ll plant more seedlings in a more hospitable site, near the creek below Union Road. Join us from 10 am, wearing suitable clothes including sturdy footwear, workgloves and sunhat. Bring a raincoat in case of forecast rain, then stay afterwards for free drinks and bickies.

Tuesday Toilers are keeping busy planting, pruning, removing weeds and litter, and spreading yet more mulch, though on Tuesday 7 September most of us took a day off to join the fascinating Native Food Plant Tour of Wurundjeri Gardens, Hawthorn. However we still managed to plant about 400 more seedlings at the Sunday site and various other locations between Riversdale Road and Anderson Street.

Join us around 10 am any Tuesday near the pond below Union Road before we move to that day’s worksite. If you don’t find us initially, wander down the creek and we’ll catch up eventually. Wear sturdy footwear and a sunhat, and bring a raincoat, drink bottle, workgloves, litter bags and enthusiasm. Afterwards we generally lunch at Café Biscotti, backing onto the Park at 929 Riversdale Road, so even if you can’t join us in the morning, you’re welcome for a gossip over some food or drink around midday.

We generally work on the last Sunday monthly, and have only two scheduled activities left this year. October has five Sundays, so to avoid the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend we will probably reschedule the Spring Wildflower Walk to 24 October, then 28 November will weed and mulch a new area to plant 2011

With sadness we report the departure of very long term member Frank Horwill, who’s been an active mid week volunteer since last millennium, and served on the committee since 2004, including four years as treasurer. He’s off to greener pastures on the north coast of NSW and we wish him best of luck.

The City of Boroondara Spring Walks and Talks are still on, see www.boroondara.vic.gov.au or contact City of Boroondara Parks & Gardens on 9278 4595. Highlights include:

Wednesday 22 Sept, Wildflower Walk, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Welfare Parade, Glen Iris, Melway 60 E 7.

Tuesday 28 September, School Holiday Fun, 11 am – 2:30 pm, Hays Paddock, Leason St, East Kew,

            Melway 45 J 2. Get your hands dirty, plant a tree, test water, search for bugs, eat a free lunch.

Wednesday 6 October, Spot lighting, 6:45 – 8 pm, Freeway Golf Course carpark,

Columba Street, Balwyn North, Melway, 32 C 11.

Tues 12 Oct, Maranoa in Flower, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Maranoa Gardens, Parring Rd, Melway 46 G 7.

Wednesday 13 October, Billabong Walk, 2 – 3 pm, Willsmere Park, Kew.

Meet Jack O’Toole Reserve Carpark, Kilby Road, Kew. Melway 45 E 2.

Tuesday 26 Oct, Habitat Gardening, 5:45 – 8:30 pm, Maranoa Gardens, Parring Rd, Melway 46 G 7. Sustainable Gardening Australia demonstrate creating a wildlife friendly home garden. BYO chair.

On Friday 15 October at 8 pm, the Australian Plant Society Maroondah will hold its monthly meeting at Manchester Unity Hall, 8 Main Street, Blackburn, Melway 47 K 10. Well known Friend of South Surrey Park and native garden guru David Lightfoot will discuss the widespread Australian family of Goodeniaceae. Admission $2 includes a raffle ticket and light supper.  More fromwww.vicnet.net.au/~apsmrdah, apsmaroondah@gmail.com or President Graeme Nicholls on 9893 4422.

Now is the ideal time to get plants in the ground, with plenty of soil moisture and warm weather to establish root systems before the summer drought. If you are inspired to try some spring planting at home, the best source of locally indigenous plants is GreenLink Box Hill community nursery, 41 Wimmera Street, Box Hill North, Melway 47 E6.  Open every Tuesday morning, plus Saturday 23 October, 9 am – midday, selling a fantastic range of local plants, mostly under $2. More from http://home.vicnet.net.au/~greenlnkor 9808 8471.

Work in South Surrey Park is brought to you through the efforts of the Friends of South Surrey Park, a voluntary group working with the local community, City of Boroondara and Melbourne Water.  For general information about your local Park, contact any committee member below. To receive up to date details of Park activities, or to receive this newsletter electronically, email philcrohn@ozemail.com.au or phone 9836 3329.