Menai Wildflower Group

Activities

Upcoming activities - 2023

Date	Event
Saturday 17th May 10am	NSW AGM and Quarterly Gathering 17 May Join APS NSW for our Quarterly gathering hosted by the Menai Wildflower Group at The Illawong Fire Station 999 Old Illawarra Road Illawong 2234 Program 10:00 am – 12:00 noon: Choice of Activities 1. Visit to the Menai Wildflower Garden (MWG) Located at the fire station, this magnificent garden is a tribute to the wonderful efforts of the Menai Group members over 20 years. 2. Guided Bushwalk – Recreational Drive Barden Ridge Playing Fields Join members of the MWG for a guided local walk, starting at the end of Recreational Drive, Barden Ridge playing fields. The walk follows relatively flat fire trails and is about 2.5 km return, with some uneven surfaces. Along the way, we will discuss the local flora and share insights into the area's European history. 12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch The MWG garden will be set up with chairs and tables for those wishing to enjoy lunch at the fire station, where the meeting will be held. Lunch can be purchased from Illawong shops on Fowler Rd, only a five-minute drive from both the walk destination and the MWG garden. It is optional to bring your own lunch. Plants will also be available for sale at the MWG nursery at the fire station. 1:00 – 3:00 pm: AGM and Talk – Illawong Fire Station 1:00 – 1:30 pm: APS NSW AGM 1:30 – 3:00 pm: Talk by Professor Mark Ooi and an associate, followed by afternoon tea An outline of Mark’s talk is to be confirmed. About the Speaker: Mark Ooi is a Senior Research Fellow based at the Centre for Ecosystem Science, part of the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UNSW. His research interests include fire and plant (particularly seed) ecology. Much of his work focuses on understanding the mechanistic responses of plant populations to fire regimes, threatened species conservation, and the effects of climate change. Courtesy: UNSW Staff Profile – Mark Ooi $5 entry by card only (no cash accepted). Annual General Meeting - Agenda Our 2024 Annual Report & finanical statements can be found in the For Members section of the website. To send your apologies, please email: office@austplants.com.au Please email any financial questions by Friday 2 May 2025 and we will provide responses at the AGM. Nominations for board positions* We welcome new board members, and non-board members, to assist with running the Society. If you'd like to join the board or wish to nominate someone, please contact President John Desmond to discuss what's involved. The Nomination Form needs to be completed and returned by Friday May 2 2025 Proxy voting If you cannot attend the AGM, and would like to nominate a proxy for your vote, please complete the Proxy form and return by Friday 2 May to office@austplants.com.au
Saturday 14th April 1:30pm
Saturday 8th March 1:30pm
Saturday 8th February 1:30pm
Saturday 14th December 6-9pm	MWG end of year celebration barbecue The committee would like to invite you to our end of year gathering. Photo: Annie Ha Le Location: Illawong Rural Fire Station What to bring: your own plates, cups and cutlery, drink and anything you would like to barbeque. Something to share would also be appreciated. Our native garden will be open Friends and family are welcome!
Saturday 9th November 1:30pm
Sunday 15th September 10am to 2pm	Bushcare Fair Location: Parc Menai, opposite Menai shopping centre MWG is participating in the Bushcare Fair run by the Sutherland Shire Council Bushcare Unit. MWG will be having a marquee with plants for sale. We look forward to seeing you there.
Saturday 14th September 10am-3pm	APS NSW Gathering Location: Oatley Uniting Church, Corner of Letitia St &, Frederick St, Oatley We will be joining APS NSW for their Quarterly Gathering hosted by Harbour Georges River Group. The Gathering will involve: - Guided walks at Sylvan Grove Native Garden at Picnic Point and Oatley Park - BYO lunch at Oatley Uniting Church Hall - A presentation on the Wonderful World of Wattles by Rhonda Daniels. - Plant sales More details at: APS NSW Quarterly Gathering
7th & 8th September 14th & 15th September 10am-4pm	Plant sales at the Grevillea Park Open days Location: Illawara Grevillea Park, Princes Hwy, Bulli NSW 2516 More details at: Illawara Grevillea Park
Saturday 13th July - 1:30pm
Saturday 8th June - 2pm
Saturday 11th May - 2pm
Saturday 13th April - 2pm
Saturday 16th March - 9am	BUSHWALK: Loop track around Saltpan Creek This is a 5 km low grade walk as there is little in the way of hills. It is largely on flat ground or boardwalks around and through the mangroves. There is often some interesting birds to be seen. Much of it is undercover but there is a stretch on a treeless dirt road. Bring morning tea, water, hat and walking shoes. Meeting at the end of Stuart St Padstow at 9am Please contact Lloyd 0400 431 216 if you wish to join the walk. Credit: https://haveyoursay.cbcity.nsw.gov.au/salt-pan-creek-corridor
9 March - 2pm

Monthly meetings

We hold meetings at 2:00pm on the second Saturday of each month (except December and January) at the Illawong Rural Fire Station, Old Illawarra Road, Illawong (see map below).

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Highlights include:

Plant sales
Plant raffles
Show table where cuttings brought in by members are identified and discussed.
Guest speakers - covering a range of aspects of the environment, natural history, and of course native plants.
Guided walks around our native garden.
Afternoon tea

Upcoming monthly meetings - 2023

New members and visitors are always welcome. We would love you to join us and ask that you review this page regularly for it is possible changes may have to be made from time to time.

All meetings are held at the Illawong Fire Station. Meetings are on the second Saturday of each month at 2pm.


Date	Event
17th May 2025	NSW AGM and Quarterly Gathering - Hosted by the Menai Wildflower Group
April 2025	The Oombulgurri Track - by Tony Porritt
March 2025	The Wategora Reserve - by Thomas Mesaglio
February 2025	Open Plant Discussion Forum
January 2024	There will be no meeting, the next gathering will be in February 2024
10th February	WA Wildflowers Holiday - by Rhonda Jackson
9th March	Edible Natives - by Narelle Happ
13th April	Eastern Suburbs: Harbourside Plants and Parks - by Greg Potter
11th May	The Great Glossie Nest Hunt - by Beth Mott
8th June	Street Trees -by Rhonda Daniels
September 2024	There will be no meeting at the RFS
9th November	Native flower arrangements - by Helen Patience

Propagating at the native garden and nurseries

We undertake propagating two days a week:

Every Monday morning: at the Tip Nursery in Lucas Heights Resource Recovery Park - Little Forest Rd, Lucas Heights NSW 2234

Every Tuesday morning from 9:30am: at the Illawong Rural Fire Station (IRFS) Compound Nursery - 999N Old Illawarra Rd, Illawong NSW 2234

Everyone is welcome to attend and no prior training is required. Contact Lloyd Hedges 0400 431 216 for more information.

Map of Illawong Rural Fire Station

Other activities

We also:

Go on regular bushwalks in the greater Sydney area and further afield
Participate in events such as the Grevillea Park Open Days and the RAS (Royal Easter Show) cutflower exhibition.
Assist schools and community groups by supplying plants and expertise with bush regeneration and education programmes.
Provide native plants to conservation projects such as "Glossies in the Mist", "Five Islands Seabird Habitat Restoration Project" and more.

Other APS groups close by

We often join with two other local groups close by for presentations and walks.

menaiwildflower@austplants.com.au