Leura Home Garden Club · PDF fileLeura Home Garden Club History. 1995 - 2005 Following on...

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Transcript of Leura Home Garden Club · PDF fileLeura Home Garden Club History. 1995 - 2005 Following on...

Leura Home Garden Club History.

1995 - 2005

Following on from the Booklet "How the Leura Garden Club Reached Forty", written by Margaret Erwood in 1995, this Booklet written by Anthea Mitchell will continue the history of the Club over the next 10 years, in celebration of the 50th Anniversary, falling on 20 April 2005.

Club meetings were held every month except for December when a Christmas Party was held. The Annual General Meetings were held in February. Monthly Meetings were conducted at St. Albans Church of England Hall, Megalong St. Leura, on 3rd Tuesday of month, commencing 9.45 am. The meeting format consisted of - Monthly Competition of members flowers, and later vegetables were added; This Month in your Garden; Lucky Door Prize (later discontinued) and replaced by Raffle; Plant Stall; and morning tea followed by a guest speaker.

During the 10 year period, the Shows were discontinued due to lack of member support, as was the maintenance of Leura Railway Station garden by the Club. However, members of the Club acted as volunteers during the Leura Gardens Festivals. At the instigation of the Garden Clubs of Australia, a Spring Garden Competition was held to include the Upper Mountains from 1999, but due to drought there were no competitions in the years 2002 & 2003.

Although membership over the last 10 years was reduced, from approximately 120 to 70, the average attendance of members at each meeting did not fall significantly, from 60 to 46.

Above - Long time members with the anniversary cake include - Margaret Erwood, Sue Shaw, Joan Wearne, Dorothy Yettie, Emily Darley & Anthea Mitchell standing in for her late mother, Phyllis Mitchell.

Feb 1995 - Jan 1996

Membership Membership was approximately 150 & average attendance at meetings was 60.

Social Events Included Coach trips to Cowra, Berowra and Double Bay Florara, and the Christmas Party was held at Wentworth Falls County Club.

Speakers March Jack Tolhurst, Deptury Fire Control Office for BMCC. April Kevin Bewley, nurseryman, on Indoor Plants. May Peter & Shirley Sharp from NSW Begonia Society. June Brian Fitzpatrick of Proteas Australia, Grose Vale July Ron Knight on Alaska and the Bouchart Garden in Vancouver Island. August Barry Collins, President of Royal Horticultural Society, on Show Presentation. September Jeff Mobbs on developments at Everglades October Margaret Coneybeare on her nursery experiences. November Rudi & Jenny Weiss, nurserymen. January Beulah Grewcoe on Perennials & Bulbs

Shows Autumn Show was held with judges from RHS. Show prizes were donated by Ibis, Fairmont, Lillianfels, Katoomba Nursery, Leura Cottage Gardens & Rudi Weiss. There was no spring show this year, but there was a November show held in the CWA hall, which was a non-competitive display of floral arrangements with a Christmas theme, with a special display by the Lilium Society There were stalls for sales of plants, cakes, gift items & raffles.

Leura Station Garden Continued to be maintained by our volunteers, between platform and Alexandra Hotel, but ceased while track upgrading occurred. On request SRA provided a dozen azaleas & camellias as well as the usual bloomers. The Club was given its own key to the garden. A small tree was planted for Arbour Day.

Members Life Membership was bestowed on Gordon Smith Honorary Membership was bestowed on James Goulder President since 1988 - James Goulder died in January 1996.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Ena Cooper, Thelma Mawson, Billie Brown Triple Cut - Ena Cooper, Billie Brown, Thelma Mawson & Dorothy Yettie.

Activities The Club decided to raise speakers expenses from $20 to $25 in May. 100 Club badges were ordered, sold at $5 per item. New proprietor of Leura Country Gardens - Monica Westerholm, offered a 10% discount. Plant exchange book started up. GCA day held at Everglades. Dry food collected for Salvation Army Xmas appeal. Sweets were collected for Xmas for Ritz Nursing Home patients, to be given out during carol singing.

Feb 1996 - Jan 1997

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 60 members

Social Events Coach & River Cat trip to HMAS Kuttabel; Coach trip to Wollongong Florawarra & Botanic Gardens. Christmas Party held at Wentworth Falls Country Club.

Speakers March Judy Horton from Yates April Mary Moody from "Gardening Australia" re filming the show. May Sue Perkins on Cottage Gardens & Herbs. Jun Margaret Coneybeare on her memories of old nurseries. July Frank Spolic on his fathers nursery in Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. August Barry Collins of Royal Horticultural Society on Orchids. September Peter McTaggart on Spring Flowers. October Graeme Roberts on Earthworms & Composting. November Colin Slade on Older Species of Plants. January Patricia Follenfont, Manager of Everglades.

Shows Autumn show in March, but poorly supported by members. A Mini Show in November, non-competitive, with floral displays by members and, with cakes, fancy goods, plants and raffles for sale. It was successful both financially & socially. Suggested Street Stalls instead, in future.

Leura Station Garden Memorial shrubs planted for Ron Rowan - a Rhodendron from Joy Wilson, for James Goulder - a Red Wings Azalea from Monica Westerholm from Leura Country Gardens and for Ron Knight, a Yuletide camellia. All 3 doing well. A small group of volunteers continued to attend the garden, but access problems. SRA supplied $200 bloomers & azaleas.

Members Life Membership conferred on - Gordon Crawford, Thelma Crawford & Jean Sowden Alan Ricketts died. Former member Ted Burton died. Ken Gillmore left through illness. Life Member, Joan Wearne bestowed with OAM following nomination by Legacy & LHGC. Life Member Phyllis Mitchell celebrated her 60th Wedding Anniversary. Thelma Mawson entered the Burlington Nursing home.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Ena Cooper, Thelma Mawson, Billie Brown. Triple Cut - Ena Cooper, Billie Brown, Thelma Mawson & Dorothy Yettie.

A Questionnaire was circulated to ascertain what members wanted from their club. The result was that all were fairly happy with the way it was, and would like regular workshops.

New chairs were needed and the Club gave $500 to St. Alban’s towards new ones, while the Church paid $1000 to make up the full amount. A cordless microphone was purchased, the blackout blinds were repaired & re-fitted and a new 2 tier stand to display entries in the Monthly Competition was made by the president, Ron Knight. Ron donated new speakers for audio.

It was agreed that if guest speakers came from outside the mountain area, they would be taken to

lunch by the Club. The Lucky Door prize abolished and replaced with a raffle at meetings. Feb 1997 - Jan 1998

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 59 members.

Social Events Outing to Lillianfels, bus trip to Olympic Site, Bus trip to Mudgee, and a car pool trip to Esbank House at Lithgow. Christmas Party was at Katoomba Golf Club

Speakers March Beverley Donsworth of the African Violet Society. April Joseph Visic on his garden "Kookaburra" at Bilpin May Jill Dark on Northern Rainforests. June Ron Knight on Thailand July Frank Spolc on slides of Water Birds. August Mary Sweeney on Floral Arrangements. September Elva Batt from Geranium & Pelargonium Society of Sydney. October John Mathews on Lilliums. November Betty Dent on Bulbs. January Mary Reynolds on History of Mt. Wilson

Shows There was a Mini Show in November, with Bonsai exhibits by the Bonsai Society of Australia

Leura Station Garden Was still being maintained by a few LHGC members. Members Life Membership was conferred on Billie Brown and Bert Byrne Life Member Una Orchard died Jan 98. Life Patron Dr. North died at 101 ½ President Ron Knight died in October 1997 Former Committee Member George Liddell died. Ex President Bert Byrne retired from chairing the AGM, due to age. Tessa & Val Knight resigned. Presentation made to Gwen Goulder for her long support of Club.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut Ena Cooper & Diane Byrnes, Dorothy Yettie, Thelma Crawford Triple Cut Diane Byrnes, Ena Cooper, Betty Brown.

Newsletter - 1st monthly Newsletter printed in April 1997 under heading of Leura Home Garden Club Newsletter. Publicity Officer Patricia Ramsay prepared it, and Ron Knight edited it. Issued to members & posted to other Clubs in BM Zone of Garden Clubs of Australia (GCA). Ceased in October when Ron Knight died, but hoped to continue it on a quarterly basis.

Publicity Officer P. Ramsay praised for monthly news in Gazette under "Along the Highway". Vegetables were included in the flower competition. An addition was made to the Constitution - to donate funds to charities. Practice of taking visiting speakers to lunch discontinued, to be taken to members homes instead.

Feb 1998 - Jan 1999

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 55 members.

Social Events Bus trip to Mt. Annan, visit to Oberon Garden Club for Daffodil Festival. Christmas Party was at Katoomba Bowling Club.

Speakers March Pat Prior on Remembrance Driveway April Emily Darley on Autumn Flowers. May Discussion Groups. June Gillian Butcher on History of the Rose. July Jeff Bates on History of Leura. August Rosemary Pollock on Floral Art September Di Cox on Irises. October Elwyn Swane on Plants November Visit to Phyllis Mitchell’s garden in lieu. Members Life Member Jean Sowden, member for 22 years, died. Club Treasurer Graham Hamilton died.

Leura Station Garden An irrigation system was installed by our Club members, and maintenance work continued.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut- Betty Nudd Triple Cut - Betty Nudd

Newsletter This was put out quarterly.

At St. Alban’s Festival of Flowers & Music, LHGC contributed beautiful displays of flowers.

Feb 1999 - Jan 2000

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 55 members.

Social Events Bus trip to Swanes, bus trip to Oberon, visit to Curt & Jean Christiansen’s garden, and Helen Thorburn’s garden. Inspection of Carrington Hotel. Christmas Lunch at Katoomba Bowling Club. Club decided to have no more than 3 bus trips per year, but more members garden strolls.

Speakers March Robert Mollyneaux from Longview Nursery April Colin Slade May Libby Raines on Autumn Colour June Mary Sweeney on Floral Arrangements July Peter Trehar on Grey shades August John Walshe on Whats New in the Garden September Curt Christiansen on his Life. October Elwyn Swaine on Nepal November Jeff Mobbs January Andrew McKenzie on Garden Design.

Members Bruce McWhirter died in Sept 1999. Bert Byrnes died.

Leura Station Garden Continued to be maintained, but by only a few volunteers. A memorial shrub was planted for Graeme Hamilton. $50 was spent on plants.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Phyllis Giroud Triple Cut- Phyllis Giroud , Jan Knight, Joan Christensen Vegs - Curt Christensen, Richard Clare This year vegetables were included in judging and the form of judging was changed to members secretly voting.

Newsletter Continued, consisting of one page, and put out quarterly.

Library John Sowden donated some of his deceased mother’s book to the Clubs Library. More books and videos were bought for library. St. Albans church considered buying new heaters. $1000 contributed from LHGC. C. Christiansen put out a Calendar for sale at $1. Club contributed to Church’s Festival of Flowers in October.

GCA Spring Garden Competition, Upper Blue Mts. Club winners included - C.Christiansen, while other winners included - K & B.Ewers x 2, M.Hatton, J.Hourigan, B.Hodgkinson x 3, D & S.Smith, J & G. Meriman, A.Bulford, P.Dalsanto, E & K Manning x 2, G.Eggins, A. Kravcheck, D.Rawlings & E.Murrell.

Feb 2000 to Jan 2001

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 59 members.

Social Events Garden inspection and lunch at Emily Darley’s . Lunch at Christiansens home and then inspected the GCA Award Winning garden at Blackheath. Visit to Sue Shaws garden. Visit to Bisley at Mt. Wilson & Mt. Tomah & picnic lunch. Visit to Huntleys Berry Farm. Christmas Lunch was at Katoomba Bowling Club.

Speakers March Emily Darley on Overseas Gardens April Question & Answers May Mikla Lewis from BM Wild plant Rescue Service June Matt Murray of Mt. Tomah Botanic Gardens, on Morocco July Peter Carroll on Bhutan August Kathy Wilson of Mt. Tomah on N.Z. September Brenda Lyons of Oberon on Daffodils October Carol Longbottom of UNSW on Architectural & Landscape Design. November Michael Phillips January Margaret Hatton on her European Trip.

Members GCA Lallie Coombes Award to Margaret Erwood for support of Leura Club. Award From GCA to Joan Christensen for designing new logo. Life Member & Life Patron Thelma Mawson, turned 90 John Gibbs died. Maureen & Fred Molyneux moved away. Margaret Wynn resigned, moved away. Jeff Mobbs resigned in April as Vice President & overseer at Leura Station garden, due to ill health.

Leura Station Garden Continued to be maintained by small band.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut R.Claire Triple Cut J. Knight Vegies K.Knight

St. Alban’s Festival of Flowers & Music - LHGC contributed beautiful displays of flowers. Change of constitution worked on by Margaret Ohanian - main change, each committee person elected by a secret ballot, majority wins. New heating system in Hall was very effective.

GCA Spring Garden Competition Upper Blue Mountains. Club winners included: K & J Knight, P.Mitchell, N & J Parrish, T.Fewer,& C.Christiansen. Other winners included - S Vella & M. Murray, J & G Merriman x 2, C & C Buesnell, C & B Hodgkinson A Van Der Kley, K & J Ewers, D Rawling, E Krawczyk, J & M Marsh & F. Stewart,

Feb 2001 to Jan 2002

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 64 members.

Social Events Visit to Joan Stoermers garden, Helen Thorburn open garden. Curt & Joan Christensen open garden at Blackheath. Bus trip to Penrith for river cruise. To Waterhouse garden. Bus trip to Mt. Irvine. Christmas lunch was at Katoomba Bowling Club.

Speakers March Keith Gill on Lavenders April Harvest Festival May Sue Perkins on Herbs. June Philip Nobis - World Heritage Listing of Blue Mountains July Peter Carroll on Humus, Compost & Mulch. August Curt Christensen on Vegetables. September Colin Slade on Unusual Plants. October Emily Darley on British Gardens. November Gwen Howard on Books From My Library January Mary Moody on her book - "Au Revoir".

Members Life Membership bestowed on Frank Spolc, Ena Cooper and Margaret Erwood. Life Member for 23 years, and Club member for 40 years, Phyllis Mitchell, died. Former member Ethel Knight died. Elva Bruce died. Billie Brown into Bodington Nursing Home Phyllis McKinnon turned 90

Leura Station Garden LHGC no longer purchased plants, due to vandalism, so State Rail agreed to pay for plants. Garden not so well looked after lately, but LHGC continue in some form. Due to revised safe working standards, Club not allowed on northern side. Gardens on south of station probably Council property & maintained by them. The Club would maintain garden Beds on platform, if rail staff watered them.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Estate of Late Phyllis Mitchell. Triple Cut - Ken Knight Vegetables - Ken Knight.

Gardening books donated from estate of Late Elva Bruce. The year of the Vegetation Management Order (VMO). LHGC objected strongly to it. Speakers from outside to be given $30 to cover expenses, and lunch for out of town speakers will be at the committee’s discretion. Club member speakers will be given a pen. New microphones and a whiteboard was purchased for Club.

GCA Spring Garden Competition Upper Blue Mountains. Club winners included -T.Fewer x 2. Other winners included - G & J Merriman x 2, R & J Swan, A Van Der Kley, D.Roy x 2, G & M Van Den Bosch, K Boorman & A Scott, A & P Townsend, D & A Hort & M& P. Boggie

Feb 2002 - Jan 2003

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 55 members.

Social Events Bus trip to Bowral Tulip Festival. Christmas Party was at Alexandra Hotel, Leura.

Speakers March Chris Jonkers - Weed Management of BMCC April Harvest Festival May John Keir on Hydroponics. June Margaret Hatton from Longview Nurseries on English Gardens July Gary Wheatland from & on, Everglades August Greg Cooper of BMCC re proposed VMO. September Lyle Davis on Sorensen Gardens October Emily Darley on Unusual Plants & Trees. November Peter Carroll on his Work in Asia. January Q & A Session.

Members Life Member Mary Butcher died. Patricia Ramsay died.

Leura Station Garden Plaque removed by LHGC president when club members were no longer permitted to maintain garden.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Monica Mobbs & Richard Clare Triple Cut - Joan Christensen Vegs - Ken Knight

VMO strongly opposed by Club, and action taken in form of letter signed by members. Club fees raised from $5 to $10 p.a.

GCA Spring Garden Competition Upper Mountains was not held, due to drought.

Feb 2003 to Jan 2004

Membership Average attendance at meetings was 47 members.

Social Events Visit to member Beb Johnson’s garden, visit to Dorothy & Lyle Davis’ home & garden, Cherrydale,at Wentworth Falls, & to Gwen Howards garden. Christmas party was at Leura Golf Club.

Speakers February Judith Bonner on Floral Arrangements March Catherine Hird on Water Recycling & Management April Harvest Festival May Graeme Lees on Fuchsias. June Margaret Hatton from Longview Nursery on U.K. Gardens July Liz Benson from NPWS on How Plants React to Bushfires. August Club Discussion. September Frank Spolc on his Life. October Jim Lycos, president of Camelia Research Society. November Patricia Meagher of Mt. Annan Botanic Gardens re Wollemi Pine. January Frank Spolc on Birds.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Diane Jones Triple Cut - Ena Cooper Vegetables - Noel Roscoe.

John Chapman, solicitor, spoke on the revamped VMO in May. Club membership dropped, therefore only 60 copies of Bulletin were printed. New blinds for hall were bought. F. Spolc made a mobile platform on which chairs can be stacked. GCA Spring Garden Competition Upper Mountains was again not held due to drought.

Feb 2004 to Jan 2005

Membership: Approximately 70, average attendance at meetings was 46 members.

Social Events Yulefest Lunch at Kedumbah Gallery, guided tour of Cockatoo Island, visit to Emily Darley’s garden and Anthea Mitchell’s garden, Sorensen garden stroll, bus trip to Lithgow. Christmas Lunch was at Olive Tree Restaurant.

Speakers February General Discussion on Watering March Colin Slade on the History of Horticulture. April Emily Darley May Graham Lees on Fuchsias. June Gary Wheatland on Natives for Winter July Silas Clifford-Smith on 200 years of Australian Gardening. August Mary Sweeney on the Chelsea Flower Show September Eddie Murrell on his Garden in Wentworth Falls October Peter Carroll on Burma November Peta Trehar on Collectors Plants January Ralph & Barbara Sawyer on Chinese Wolfberries.

Members Vic Nudd died in May Mr. & Mrs. Mobbs resigned - moved. Gordon & Thelma Crawford moved.

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Betty Clare Triple Cut - Ena Cooper Vegetables - Noel Roscoe.

GCA Spring Garden Competition Upper Mountains. Club winners included - T.Fewer x 2. Other winners included - V & P Smiley x 2, J & T Taylor x 2, K & L Taylor, C Schuetrumpt, C & E Jacobsen, J & R Chapman, E & A Krawczyk, M. Cattell, A. Shoobridge, R & J Emanuel, V & P Smiley & D Roy.

Feb 2005 to Jan 2006

Membership Approximately 85, average attendance at meetings was 45 members.

Social Events July - 50th Birthday celebrations - a special anniversary cake at the meeting, and a luncheon at a Leura Restaurant later in the month. In September & October visits to members gardens - Trish Fewer & Don Le Quesne, and Dorothy & Lyle Davis’s Sorensen garden. In November - a coach tour to Carcoar & Bathurst and in December the Christmas Luncheon was at Dohertys, Leura.

Speakers February AGM March Brenda Lyon of Oberon on Daffodils April Market Day May Annette Bryant’s colleague from Mt Tomah on Wollemi Pines June Open Forum, Q & A July Carol Proberts on Birds in Gardens August Heather Pryor on Iris September Robyn Bible on Pelargoniums and Geraniums October Roger Walker on the Chelsea Flower Show November Colin Slade on Horticulture in Australia January Gardening Quiz

Members Betty Hall and Sue Shaw were made Life Members

Yearly Prize Winners for Flower Competition Single Cut - Noel Roscoe/Diana Jones Triple Cut - Ena Cooper/Sally Fent Produce - Noel Roscoe

Special Events Blue Mountains Zone calendar for 2006 was a great success and sold well.

And the story of Leura Home Garden Club continues through the medium of its Presidential Annual Reports