NEWS

Queensland Day

Queensland Day, the 6^th of June 2010, proved a sunny, warm winter’s day as your Council continues to promote QCGC to the general public.

The occasion being “Open Day” presented by our Patron, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO, who had invited all organizations to whom she is Patron, to display to the public their activities and interests. The gardens in the grounds of Government House were a picture and a large gathering enjoyed a variety of performers - choral and band.

With Vice President Richard doing the morning and Secretary Anne the afternoon session it was pleasing to say “hi” to those members of garden clubs who dropped by. Photos of club activities and a map of the location of some member clubs decorated the stand and the brochure of contact details of all QCGC member clubs was available for interested people to take.

This important activity of alerting the public to the joy of gardening and of the garden clubs in their area is yet another way in which your Council works for your club welfare. Support us in our endeavours.

Christmas Luncheon

Well, another year has come and gone and it’s time to announce who the Garden Clubs Ambassador for 2010 will be. The Wendy Wragge Trophy was presented to Bayside Garden Club but unfortunately Hervey Bay Garden Club was not able to be present to receive the Country Competition Trophy. The Garden Clubs Ambassador for 2009, Penny Hegarty, gave a short speech saying what a fabulous year she had enjoyed and would recommend it for anyone to have a go. It was then announced that the new ambassador was Kath Stumer from Karana Downs Garden Club. Unfortunately, there can be only one ambassador so hopefully the other entrant Elizabeth Parkinson from Kenmore Garden Club will try again. There were about 60 guests including Ross McKinnon and his wife Susie and Narelle Richter from the Gap. Ross and Narelle were on the interview panel for the Ambassador. Ross said approx 14000 school children go through the gardens each year.

A photo was taken of all the former Mrs Garden Clubs and Garden Clubs Ambassadors that were present and Penny Hegarty is hoping to organize a get together later in the year for them all. Kath left Mt Coot-tha that day with several invitations from garden clubs, just a small indication of what is to come in 2010.

On behalf of QCGC, Kath, we all wish you well and have a wonderful year and Penny we wish you well also and hope to see you around the clubs in 2010.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE CHRISTMAS PARTY PHOTOS

FRIENDSHIP DAY 2010

The day dawned rather cold and damp in Brisbane as members of the QCGC committee and helpers arrived at the Auditorium at Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mt Coot-tha to prepare for the occasion. Thoughts by some that the numbers would be down on those accepted because of the weather were to be proven wrong, as the best ever attendance made this day a great success.

A hot cup of tea or coffee and biscuit was enjoyed by 98 gardeners representing a total of 27 member clubs and societies. Following a warm welcome by President Noel Prior, Life Member and Curator of the Gardens, Ross McKinnon OA, greeted visitors and commented on the great feedback he had been getting on the work of our Garden Club Ambassador for 2010, Kath Stumer. Kath then replied and stated she was enjoying her position, keeping very busy and implored all to nominate for the appointment.

Vice President Richard introduced the guest speaker, the inimitable Brisbane theatre identity, Gail Wiltshire, Owner and Operator of Twelfth Night Theatre at Bowen Hills and Owner/Producer of “The Oz People Theatre Company”. Gail (I’m only a country girl from Boonah), soon had the attention of her audience as she regaled them with stories of how and when (at auction) she decided to buy the theatre: a life changing decision. Stories about some of the characters she met in the casts of the many and varied productions played at the theatre and their idiosyncrasies brought many laughs and some reminiscences of shows attended by the audience concluded her talk. Sustained applause followed her contribution to the day.

Ross McKinnon then explained the rules and spirit behind the competition for the Wendy Wragge Trophy and quickly had his twenty questions delivered to each side of the room. Given a goodly time to answer, teams then swapped forms to mark as Ross gave the answers and adjudicated on some of them. Starting with a score of 10 correct, teams gradually dropped out until only two teams (Mt Gravatt and The Gap) remained with 17 out of a possible 20. A tie break question -Name the floral emblems of the States and Territories of Australia including the National emblem - was put to the 2 teams and still a dead heat with both teams naming all floral emblems. Ross then had to decide how to break the deadlock. Reciting a line of poetry he asked for the author, both called out the answer but Mt Gravatt was deemed to have called out first and was declared the winner of the Wendy Wragge Trophy. The Trophy was presented to the President of Mt Gravatt Garden Club, Jan Costin, by Noel Prior.

A delicious lunch, contributed by those attending, was enjoyed by all, along with much discussion about Gail Wiltshire’s talk and the competition, among other things. Noel expressed thanks to all, for the provision of food, those that brought a gift for the raffle and those that bought a ticket. Many present decided Friendship Day 2010 was the best one held for some years.

To go to the Friendship Day Photos click here

New Ambassador for the Q.C.G.C. for 2010

Please contact the Q.C.G.C. to contact Kath Stumer