The speaker at the next meeting of the Parramatta Hills Group of the Australian Plants Society will be Michael Battley. Dr Batley is a former Senior Lecturer in Chemistry who has pursued a passion for Australian native bees since retirement. He is a leading authority on the subject and a Research Associate of the Australian Museum in Sydney. He has published many scientific articles on the taxonomy of native bees. 

For more information, you can follow this link: https://australian.museum/blog/at-the-museum/native-bees/

The topic of his talk will be “Bees with Favourite Flowers”.

Some Australian native flowers such as Pimeleas and Eremophilas have evolved with tubular flowers which restrict the variety of visitors to increase the possibility that their pollen will be transferred to the same species. Similarly some native bees have developed a preference for one species or genus of flower so that they can access more pollen in their short life span. While most native bees visit a variety of flowers about one in ten native bee species have been identified as specialist pollinators. Identifying the specialist bees has been one of Dr Battley’s research projects. His talk will be illustrated with some of his outstanding photos.

The meeting will be held at West Pennant Hills Community Church 41-43 Eaton Road, West Pennant Hills NSW 2125

The church is on Eaton Road, close to the M2 Motorway and Pennant Hills Road. It can be reached from either end of Oakes Road.

The meeting will be followed by afternoon tea and sales of native plants suitable for suburban gardens and propagated by members.

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.