At the last meeting Elvy Quirk welcomed 36 members present and introduced Leonie Todd, thanking her for making her garden available for the meeting. Leonie then spoke about her garden which was only small when she moved there, but plants from family and friends have brought many lovely additions. 

We were all happy to hear Gail Mendham is on the mend and doing well. 

Arrangements are being made for the Open Garden’s weekend 14th and 15th October, with flyers sent to other clubs and local outlets. Members are needed to sell raffle tickets. 

The guest speaker at the meeting was Pol Cruz, with his display of bonsai. He is an artist who also paints and works with clay Some of his bonsai included an olive tree found on a creek bank in South Australia reported to be 70 years old, a paper bark tree from the old Forestry 30 years old, an English Ash from Grenfell and a lichen covered rock all had a story connected in his display. He also gave tips on watering and pruning, as several members brought their own bonsai to show him. Janette Thomas moved a vote of thanks. 

Raffle winners were first Jenny Dwyer and second Denise Thurston. Flower of the month winners were first Sylvia Glasson with an orchid, second Marg West with an orchid, and third Margo Rath with a camellia. 

The next meeting will be at the home of Irene and Trevor Ford, 52 Calarie Road on Thursday 28th September at 2pm. Please bring a hat, chair and cup. Members are also asked to bring along $60 to pay for our 70th birthday celebrations on 11th November. 

By Green Thumb 

Peak social services body NCOSS welcomed some of the investments in the NSW Government’s 2023-24 Budget, but called for urgent support for those living in poverty. 

NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty acknowledged the significant financial pressures on the Budget, but expressed concern for those doing it toughest in NSW right now. 

“It’s great to see investment in schools and hospitals across Western and South Western Sydney. These are growth suburbs where families need ready access to these essential facilities,” Ms Quilty said. 

“But they are also the suburbs where we see the highest concentrations of disadvantage, where disadvantage is deepening and where cost of living pressures are hitting hardest.

“As cost-of-living pressures ramp up and the affordable housing crisis grows, we need urgent, increased investment in front-line supports such as neighbourhood centres, tenants advice, domestic violence services, financial counselling and mental health supports.

“This Budget does not do enough to help those barely hanging on

Spring has sprung and what better place to celebrate than Parkes’ newest plant nursery, Dirty Gloves Nursery. Mitch and Casey Miles along with their three children, Finn (five), Noah (two) and Harper (9 months), seized the opportunity when news that the towns local nurseries were closing their gates permanently. 

The family of five, at the time, struggled to find sufficient childcare to return to previous work and so they decided to take their already small hobby of growing vegetables, succulents and other garden ornamentals, and turn it into a small home nursery. 

“I was already selling a few things from the front garden, so to erect a shade house in our paddock and expand what we had to offer was a very exciting opportunity” Miles said. 

Boasting a variety of trees, flowers, grasses, bushes, natives, fruit and nut trees, roses and vegetables, Dirty Gloves Nursery has all you need to make your garden shine with colour, texture and fragrances. 

There’s even a selection of garden art available from concrete statues to welded flowers and animals, even glass flowers made from recycled plates. 

“We like fun and creative ways to spruce up the garden. There’s no shortage of creativity amongst our family members,” said Miles. 

Although the nursery has been operating since January the urge to share some of the spring fever has prompted an open day event. Surrounding communities are encouraged to come and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, and picnic on the grassed area at the front of the nursery to celebrate the new business’ first spring. 

“We are very excited to share our love for gardening with the people of Parkes and surrounding communities,” Miles explained. “With the prices rising across all other living expenses we want to offer quality plants and garden art at an affordable price.” 

Dirty Gloves Nursery open day will be this Saturday 16th September from 10am – 2pm at 54 Corcoran Road Parkes. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.