Guests are welcome at our activities.

Meetings

We hold evening meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month February to November. 

Next meeting: at Beatrice Taylor Hall 10th July 2026 7.30pm for 8:00pm.

Petra Holland: Biodiversity of the Simien Mountains (Ethiopia)

Full details below.

Group Outings and Activities

Usually held at a weekend, these outings visit  local gardens, reserves or other places of interest or sometimes there may be work to be done!

Next North Shore Group Activity: Visit to Galston to the garden of Barry Lees

Sunday Morning 12th July

Barry and Noni live on a 2 hectare block of beautiful mainly natural bush in Galston. The property includes a creek and rainforest species in the small gully below the house. Most of the re-plantings that have been done are local endemic species which fits with Barry’s philosophy of sticking with plants that are local. 

The plan for the morning is to have a cuppa on arrival, the hot drinks will be provided by Barry and Noni, we supply the accompanying nibbles.

We then leave on a short walk that is estimated to take about an hour. First, we’ll get to a rock platform that gives a view of the creek (not too far below) to which we will descend and then walk back to the house along the creek, finishing the loop walk. The walk is a bit uneven in places and a bit of mild bush bashing may be needed. Barry will be pointing out the many plant species. He is very knowledgeable there, especially after being involved for many years in the plant surveys needed to set up the Hornsby Council Herbarium and encountering just about every Native plant species in

Hornsby Shire. Barry says that he would have liked to spend more time preparing for our visit but he has been limited by a back injury sustained a few weeks ago. So I suggested he points out any weeds that are annoying him and we pull them out. He didn’t argue with that!

Place: Barry and Noni’s Garden in Galston (full address will be given on contacting Sue). If you decide on the Galston Gorge route, watch out for speeding bicycles that are cutting corners!

Time: 9.30am

Bring: Good walking shoes, wet weather gear if needed, a walking pole, insect repellent plant id book (although we will have a walking, talking “plant book” with us!), a small plate of something sweet or
savoury for morning tea, also you may want to bring your own lunch for before your trip home in case it gets to be lunch time.

Contact: Sue Fredrickson 0401362921 paulandsuefreddo@bigpond.com

Please advise if you plan to come and I will give you the address. Also, contact me if the weather is bad as it may be cancelled.

Walks & Talks

Walks and Talks are open to the public. See their own page, here.

Propagation, Plant Sales, The Knoll Garden and Bushcare

The Propagation group meets on alternate Wednesdays, weather permitting. Native plants are available for sale (cash only) and growing advice is provided. This activity is carried out at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives in the white shade house located behind the Wildflower Garden Visitors Centre. See the NSG entries on the calendar on the APS NSW Activities page for propagation, plant sales and advice of dates. Contact Tania Lamble on 0415043671 for details..

Volunteers also maintain the Knoll Garden at the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden, St Ives. Please contact Wendy Grimm on 0419323035  for details.

A Ku-ring-gai Council-run Bushcare group in which members participate is also active in the Garden on non-propagation Wednesdays. Contact KMC (bushcare@krg.nsw.gov.au) for details.

Next Evening Meeting

Next meeting Friday 10th July 2026 7.30pm for 8.00pm at Beatrice Taylor Hall, Hornsby.

Petra Holland: Biodiversity of the Simien Mountains (Ethiopia)

The Simien Mountains of northern Ethiopia form one of the world’s great botanical hotspots and are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Area for their extraordinary ecological value. During our visit in February 2025, we explored the region with the required guide and guard, which allowed us to focus on the remarkable biodiversity around us. The flora ranges from tiny, specialised alpine species to the iconic giants of the highlands, including the impressive giant lobelia.

There will be plants for sale (cash or card), library & supper.

ALL Welcome

The Beatrice Taylor Hall is behind Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre at 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby. There will be plant sales after the meeting (cash only, please bring change) and refreshments. The NSG Botanical library is also available for members to browse and borrow items.