Leader: Jennifer Farrer

We’ll explore the upper valley of Vineyard Creek, a tributary of the Parramatta River. The creek is named for the vineyard which was established at its junction with the Parramatta River by Phillip Schaeffer in 1790.

Where we will be walking is not country for planting grape vines. Be prepared for a steep walk down to a hidden fern gully and then an easier walk to the dam created to provide water for the Oatlands Golf Course. Below the dam, the walk is among tall trees - blackbutts, angophoras, bloodwoods and turpentines - in a beautiful shady valley. Some of the more interesting understorey plants include Trachymene incisa and Astroloma humifusum.

Meet at the entrance to the Reserve in Robert Street Telopea at 1.45 pm for a 2 pm start. Please don’t be late!

Please register for the walk beforehand at apsparrahills@gmail.com

Members' Meeting with Speaker: Lyndal Thorburn on "An Eremophila for every garden"

The speaker on 25 November at the meeting of the Parramatta and Hills Group of the Australian Plants Society will be Lyndal Thorburn, and she will be speaking about “An Eremophila for every garden”.

Although Eremophilas (Umu Bushes) grow naturally in the dryer parts of Australia, they can make stunning additions to your garden. Lyndal will provide tips on growing and caring for Eremophilas, particularly in the wetter Sydney region.

Lyndal Thorburn has been leader of the Eremophila Study Group since 2015. A scientist by training but not by profession, she has kept her interest in biology alive through long term involvement with the Australian Plants Society Canberra and participation in many Citizen Science groups. She has grown over 100 varieties of Eremophilas in her rather shady Queanbeyan garden, and has been delighted to discover that many in the genus are frost hardy and don't need sun all day.       

Afternoon tea will be served.
Visitors will be very welcome!

Eremophila conglomerata

Eremophila glandulifera

Location of Gumnut Hall

Gumnut Hall, Gumnut Place, Cherrybrook.

Gumnut Hall is at the closed end of Gumnut Place, a side street off Gumnut Road, Cherrybrook. On weekdays this hall is used by Cherrybrook Community Preschool, so on maps it is often referred to by this name. Gumnut Place is narrow and winding, and parking is limited, so it is best to use any parking space you see, and walk the short distance to the hall. Gumnut Road is much larger and parking is easier.