The Newcastle branch of the Australian Plants Society is part of a non-profit, independent incorporated community organisation with members throughout Australia. The Society is made up of people interested in the propagation, cultivation and conservation of plants native to Australia. There are Regional Groups in each state and district branches such as those in Newcastle and Maitland.
The Association of Societies for Growing Australian Native Plants (ASGAP) is the federal body to which each state Society is affiliated. In NSW, while the group is still known as the Society for Growing Australian Plants NSW LTD, they have adopted the name 'Australian Plants Society'.
The Newcastle Group started in1961. Graeme Mee, who joined in 1980, is the current president. "The major project of the Newcastle Group is at the Wetlands Centre where we have planted over 35,000 plants, restoring the site and attracting bird life. We also propagate plants in a shade house at the wetlands. We also look after the Parry Place gardens at the Botanic Gardens".
The objectives of the Society are:
- To foster and promote appreciation, study and participation in growing and propagating Australian native plants.
- To foster support for and promote the preservation and conservation of Australian native plants
- To encourage the use of Australian native plants in home gardens and public places
- To improve Australian native plants as garden subjects
- To interest nursery persons in propagating and supplying Australian native plants to the public
- To increase and disseminate general knowledge of Australian native plants.
Members pay a membership fee of $40 or $32 concession to the state body of which approximately nine dollars is returned to the local group to cover costs. Members receive a local newsletter, and quarterly editions of the state publications Native Plants and Australian Plants. The local Newcastle Group also raises funds from a flower show held at the Wetlands Centre each spring.
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