5 October 2020

WE NEED YOU! A request for help, and a reminder about the AGM

A Special Volunteer

Based on the needs of our Thursday Talk and other Groups, we are hoping that there might be a member of Friends who has special knowledge/skills who can help us move forward.

We want to explore putting talks on-line in the best possible way. There are many formats and methods. Some look and sound excellent, others not so much.

If there is a Friend, or indeed friend of a Friend who has the following skills we would love to hear from them:

To scope out the best and most affordable/practical way of presenting talks from the ANBG on-line.
We realise there are many methods but we want to tailor a “system” that suits our physical resources and needs.
We want advice on the pros/cons of different systems, the equipment required to deliver those systems and the skills/personnel required to implement on a weekly basis.
Costs and timing of implementation are also important as we would wish to commence as soon as possible.
There are clearly requirements dictated by the facilities currently available, the need to ensure it conforms to any requirements of the Australian National Botanic Gardens and until further notice any health requirements created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

If someone has these skills and might be available to help, would they please contact Max Bourke AM, President of the Friends of the ANBG, on max@mebourke.com

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Reminder - Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM will be held in the Jaeger Room at the Shine Dome at 3:30pm on Thursday 15 October 2020.

Please note the change of time and venue.The Shine Dome is on the ANU campus at 15 Gordon St, Acton ACT 2601 - see map. The boom gate will be open to allow parking.

Provisional Agenda

Opening and Welcome
Apologies
Acceptance of minutes of 31^st AGM held on 17 October 2019
President’s report – Max Bourke
Treasurer’s Report – Helen Elliot
Report by Executive Director of ANBG – Dr Judy West
Election of Officer-bearers and Council members (for 2 years in each case) ^{Note A}
Appointment of Auditor 2020-2021
Award of Life Membership
Any other business

Notes

A: Elections will be held for the position of President, Treasurer, Secretary and four ordinary members of Council. If a current member of Council nominates for and is elected to another vacant position, there will be an additional vacancy for an ordinary member.

B: Apologies can be emailed to info@friendsanbg.org.au

C: There will be no speaker and no refreshments this year.

D: A printable version of this notice is available for download.

The venue can accommodate sufficient people for the AGM under the current COVID-19 capacity restrictions. Our Constitution requires 25 members present for a quorum and does not allow electronic meetings or proxy voting. The largest venue at the Gardens, the main room in the Crosbie Morrison building, is limited to only 24 people.

Exhibitions

The Botanic Art Groups exhibition: ‘Legacy of Banks and Solander’

26 September - 25 October 2020
Visitor Centre, 9.30am-4.30pm

For this year’s exhibition the Gardens requested that we focus on banksias to support the opening of the Banksia Garden and to celebrate the 250 years since the Endeavour came to Australia and Banks and Solander collected a number of Australian plants which were taken to Britain. Artworks framed and matted are for sale, together with a selection of cards.

The purchase price includes a 20% commission for the Friends, so the Botanical Art Exhibition is a significant fundraiser for the Friends and the Gardens. Please come and visit the exhibition in September or October and support the work of the Friends and the Gardens.

Schools Photographic Competition - Retrospective

Thursday, 29 October 2020 - 15 November 2020
Visitor Centre, 9.30am-4.30pm

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the Gardens earlier this year, the Friends will not hold the Schools Photographic Competition in 2020. Instead, there will be a retrospective exhibition of first-prize-winning entries from the past 23 years on show at the ANBG Visitor Centre Gallery

Friends Photographic Group exhibition - 'Reflections'

Thursday, 19 November to 6 December 2020
Visitor Centre, 9.30am-4.30pm

An ever-popular show of eye-opening prints, cards and other works showing the Gardens and its flora and wildlife.