Welcome back to Galston Garden Club 2017! Our February meeting started with a well-attended AGM where all the Executive positions were filled. Our President Mark Sutherland-Harris welcomed everyone back, especially those who had joined during the Christmas break and informed us that our club numbers had grown throughout the past year. He encouraged all to become involved, as there are many smaller jobs that need to be done each month and joining in is an excellent way to get to know members and make new friends.
John Hayes, a resident of Galston for many years, spoke to the Club about his proposal for the beautification of Galston Village. Having sympathetically restored the Heritage Cottage next to the old Police Station in Galston, John is going to approach Hornsby Council with the proposal and is asking the Club and residents to support this idea. His vision is to create a village ambience that would make Galston a garden village, with colourful plants and live music events to enhance visitors’ experience and therefore a desirable place for people to stop and enjoy rather than just drive through.
Following on from John, Robert Harris passed around this year’s calendar of Galston musical concerts to be held each month in Galston at the Uniting Church. These events are becoming increasingly popular with locals and those further afield attending.
Socially, it looks like there are some exciting trips planned throughout the year for club members. As a taster… a bus trip to the Melbourne Flower Show, a trip to a Mt Wilson garden followed by music and lunch at the Carrington, Katoomba. Later in the year our big trip, going down to Victoria, across to Tasmania for a few days then back via the Great Ocean Rd. As well as local gardens and places of gardening interest to visit, our annual Open Gardens weekend in October. It looks like being another good year to belong to the Galston Garden Club.
Our club Patron, Judy Horton, was our guest speaker, and she took us on a pictorial tour around the Gardens of the World. As a Guide for Botanica Tours, Judy had many behind the scenes tales to tell of these stunning gardens. We ‘travelled’ around Europe, the United Kingdom, then onto America and Canada. What was of particular interest were the ordinary Australian plants, like the grevilleas that were being grown with such care in the European gardens. Judy certainly whetted our appetite to visit these places in the future, including some tips as to the best times to visit and where to go.
We hope to see you at one of our club meetings and to join us for another happy gardening year.
Garden Club meets on the 2nd Weds of the month at the Galston Community Centre 37 Arcadia Rd., Galston 8.00pm, new members are warmly welcomed. For other information, visit our website: www.galstongardenclub.com.au
