2023 Chair Report

AGM

21 November 2023

Compiled by Irene Ghannage

Chairperson

Friends of Geraldton Gardens inc.

This year The Friends of Geraldton Gardens have celebrated their 8th year in existence and the continuation of their project to create a botanical garden in Maitland Park. 

Another planting of over 200 plants took place in the Chapman River Garden which attracted many Volunteers from FROGGS, CRF and Soroptimists. 

A disappointing outcome was witnessed at Wonthella Bushland Reserve when we attempted to complete the celebration of the Queens Jubilee with the planting component of the project. It was brought to light that it was NAIDOC week and some local Yamatji people became upset that we would be honouring the queen during this sensitive week. Out of respect to the Yamatji,  the planting was cancelled on the day. Unfortunately, this was an oversight when choosing the date for the planting and was never intended to insult or hurt others. The CGG who were the grant recipients, who sourced the plants and organised the event,  chose to plant the saplings, of Banksia prionotes and Grevillea candelabroides specially grown for the WBR, elsewhere around the City, as they needed to be released from their pots, and have not informed FROGGS of their location. The reserve has missed out on the regeneration of the two important species chosen as part of the canopy. Since the fire of 2020, the existing population of Banksia prionotes has not been seen regenerating anywhere in the reserve.

One of the more positive outcomes of the project was the creation of three new walking tracks at the Western end of the reserve. It will be fun to give these new tracks names and one suggestion has already been made to honour the late Stan Maley, founder of FROGGS

The event cancellation reason was misconstrued on social media to be more about the government's introduction of the New Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act. The mainstream media got hold of it and the story went nationwide. 

Events attended by FROGGS included the  Adult Community Group Showcase hosted by Euphorium, Harmony Day which was well attended, and the return of the Sunshine Festival Parade. FROGGS participated in our very first float parade in Ray's ute with us on the back and walking, the ute was decorated with some native flora, our banners and drop cloth and the committee with a couple of members including 7-year-old Nadia. 

Funding was welcomed and appreciated from Lotterywest, Iberdrola Walkaway windfarm, City of Greater Geraldton, Bendigo Bank, and Whyatts Autos and we thank them for their support, enabling FROGGS to achieve our objectives.

We held a Bunnings Sausage sizzle that was a lot of fun and well worth the effort. A  huge thanks to Cheryl Galloway for organising this huge undertaking.

We have attended four stakeholder meetings for the proposed Maitland Park Precinct and have agreed to support the City of Greater Geraldton in adopting the plan. This has become a great opportunity to work with the CGG to realise the position of FROGGS within the City and the Community.

I Irene Ghannage have held the position of chair of FROGGSpen since 2017. As all positions are open for re-election I will not be renominating for the position of Chair. I would like to remain as an ordinary committee member for this coming period.

I have enjoyed the position and feel it has contributed to my growth as a person. Now it is time for another to rise to the occasion and nominate for the position.