On 7th September 54 Members attended the 2016 AGM including the Garden co- designer, Mervyn Hayman Danker. The attendees were fortunate to have an interesting address by Mr Hayman Danker on the process undertaken to create the Garden and the roles played by many people to make it happen.
Following are both the outgoing President's report for 2015/2016 and the incoming President's Address outlining his goals for the coming 2 years.
Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters President's Report 2015-2016 presented by Joan Broadstock at AGM
It is my pleasure to present this Annual report on behalf of the Council of the Victoria State Rose Garden Supporters.
I think you will all agree that the Rose Garden is as good as it gets! You can’t really improve on perfection.. We have been fortunate that there has been such good rain this season. It makes such a difference. Well, after lots of lobbying, we have at last the good news that the Rose garden watering system is to have the upgrade that it deserves, so it will improve! This is a huge project including the Werribee Park gardens as well, so it will take some time to complete.
It is an appropriate time to reflect on our activities over the past year.
The normal annual tasks of pruning, deadheading, mulching, fertilising, weeding, sucker removal etc. have been carried out with ever-increasing efficiency, and good humour. In addition we have:
Renovated three tired rosebeds and planted 114 new roses.
Installed brick rose signs and bed numbers as required.
Produced a new leaflet for the Heritage Border.
Erected a new box for this near the entry from the turnstile.
Acquired a Defibrillator and instructed members in its use.
First Aid team upgraded their qualifications, and keep up with the latest best practise.
Apart from this all-important practical application of our efforts to maintain and improve the Garden, there is the social aspect, which is as important, if not more so! Happy volunteers mean the rose garden thrives.
Barbecues each month, and weekly ones during winter pruning.
We are often joined by Parks staff, providing an opportunity to get to know each other better.
Morning tea, as well as a welcome break, is an opportunity to catch up on news of the garden and absent friends and to share a joke and a story or two.
With an eye to publicity for, and promotion of the VSRG we have been represented at the:
STATE ROSE and GARDEN SHOW over two days in November here in our rose garden.
Rose Society of Victoria Rose Show in Spring.
Contributed articles to the Victorian Rose News and Heritage Roses Australia Journal.
Interviews for the Weekend Australian, The Weekend Age, and the Wyndham Star Weekly.
VSRG Web Page, a huge success, is becoming increasingly popular.
VSRG Facebook page is spreading the news far and wide.
Wyndham Volunteers morning tea and other events give us a chance to meet other local volunteers.
The Award received from the Heritage Council of Victoria recently recognised our contribution over the years.
We would like to put on record our appreciation of the interest, work, and co-operation of Werribee Park’s staff and Rangers. Though they are not ‘volunteers’ their enthusiasm for the Victoria State Rose Garden, is obvious.
Our grateful thanks also to our sponsors, Treloar Roses and Neutrog fertilizer.
Next year there will be some changes in our Council. Members you all know well, who will retire are;
Nola Bradford, Veronica O’Brien, Sue Myers, Rhondda Timberlake, Alex Quinn and Cheryl Brooks.
These Volunteers are dedicated to to the success of our group and to making sure that the VSRG is one of the best Rose Gardens in the world. We all owe them a debt of gratitude! Of course they will be here as usual working among us and the benefit of their knowledge and experience is yours for the asking.
For me, this is the end of my term as President. It has been a great experience! I will always be glad I took on the job. One of the great joys has been getting to know the members so much better. My sincere thanks to all for your support
I wish Lex and the new Council all the very best in the coming two years.
Margret Smith will remain as Secretary, Cheri Slipais and Neil Anderson as Vice Presidents and
Michelle Mayne will take over from Nola as Treasurer.
Councillors returning are Graham Otte, Anne Long, Leonie Freeman and Marlene Duggan.
New are Nancy Rubino, Joe Bertolini, Tom Blackhurst, and Judy Peckham. Jenny Pratt will be Minute Secretary.
We thank all of you! and know you will bring great ideas, enthusiasm and continued success to the VSRG.
Joan Broadstock
Incoming President, Lex Hodge's Address
Incoming President Lex Hodge thanked Joan for performing all her presidential duties so well – meeting & welcoming visiting dignitaries, chairing Council meetings, working and consolidating the chain of command with Parks and producing the newsletter.
Lex said he would also like to thank, Wal for his interesting stories, Glenis Mackie for her committed work in removing rose suckers, Christine and Cheryl for their work on the Website and Facebook, Marlene for ordering fertiliser and tools, Joe for doing the BBQ and salads, and Joe Nancy & other members who have brought in cakes etc., for our morning teas – and all members for doing a fantastic job in the garden.
Lex said the goals he was setting for the next two years were:
Increasing membership.
Improving irrigation.
Weed elimination.
Nutrient stabilization in the soil.
Investigation and planning for a viewing mound.
All areas of the Rose Garden have responded to great conditions of plentiful rain and sustained warmth with strong, healthy growth. The volunteers are looking forward to masses of flowers just around the corner.
