Four Seasons
To keep you updated with the latest news and reviews on gardening topics, the Gardeners' Circle WA Inc. offers a magazine, 4 times a year. This magazine is called 'Four Seasons' and is free to members (AU$3.00 to non-members). An edited transcript of speakers presentations, seasonal tips and 'Jobs to do' for each month, a general events diary and information on discounts to members can be found in the magazine.
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Lorraine Douglas, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Lorraine Douglas (magazine editor) at lorraine.douglas@iinet.net.au
This page features some articles from the Four Seasons, edited by Lorraine Douglas, with assistance from Jacques Maissin, Ellie Collins, and Frances Docherty.
'Letters To the Editor' can be emailed to Lorraine Douglas (magazine editor) at lorraine.douglas@iinet.net.au
president’s perspective
president’s perspective
In the last edition, I wrote about the dreadful spring and summer bushfire season.
Who could have imagined that in March the world would be reeling from a dangerous
viral pandemic?? And that in April our own world would be drastically changed
and we found out what strict isolation and social distancing meant?
We had no inkling of this at our February meeting. As always, it was a reunion meeting
after not seeing each other since November, and with Sabrina Hahn as our guest
speaker, the hall was packed. Sabrina gave us some sobering information, but with her trademark whimsy and humour, also kept us entertained.
By March, things had changed drastically, and all organisations were rapidly reviewing their activities. We agonised over whether to hold our AGM, and eventually did so, with extra precautions (including setting up the hall ‘like an exam room’, as someone quipped), and with a much smaller audience. It was a good night, and my thanks to those who attended. Our guest speaker, Matthew Lunn, did a great job of interesting and inspiring us, despite the disappointment of having to cancel the Perth Garden Festival. He certainly whetted our appetite for what is to come at next year’s Festival!
At our AGM, all current Committee members were re-endorsed, and Kerry Staines has swapped the role of Treasurer for that of Secretary. We still need a Treasurer, and there is a vacancy on the Committee. I want to express my thanks and appreciation to all members of the Committee for continuing, and for the work they do on your behalf.
Our gardens are not affected by human viral crises and recovery measures, fortunately, and in my own small garden, I’ve managed to find some new projects, which is exciting. I love the planning, thinking about colour, form and design, and integrating with existing plantings (although these do get changed quite often!). I also enjoy practical projects, working out how to rearrange spaces for more functionality – and garden space. Mere maintenance doesn’t excite me as much as major redesigning, and physical projects – so I’ll never have the tidiest garden in the street. But it is always full of colour, and bees, and
honeyeaters.
Now that we can meet in small groups, no doubt there will be some sharing, and perhaps some showing off, of what you’ve been up to during these seriously troubled times. It will be a while before we can get together again as a large group, but in the meantime, your Circle is not going anywhere! We will continue to stay in touch, and provide you with quality local information and interest.
Stay well, and keep gardening.
Jan Russell-Brown