RHGS Regular Meeting 22 April 2022 @ 10 am to noon

You’re Invited back to Mechanics Hall!
This is our first meeting back in Mechanics Hall in over two years!

Arranging this meeting has been a bit of a challenge, and there might still be a few bugs, so please be patient with us.
The Hall has seen an upgrade since we were last there, with new toilet facilities behind the hall, directly accessible out the back door.
Mornington Shire has established a new access system, we’re hopeful it works properly, fingers crossed.

We hope to see everyone there, and while we’ve tried hard to make sure all will go as planned, at least it will be an adventure!

Covid Precautions
Covid restrictions have been substantially lifted. However, while not a condition of entry, we ask that attendees were masks while inside the hall.

As a further precaution, we will also keep the doors and windows open, and since it’s expected to be only 12 or 13 degrees outside, please come rugged up appropriately.

Our speaker is John Patrick
John Patrick needs no introduction to members, having spoken to us previously, and also for his work on radio and television presenting programs relating to gardens, their plants and their history. John was a presenter on ABC’s television series Gardening Australia, and has also written extensively on gardens throughout the world, including articles in Vogue Living and The Australian Garden Journal. He has written thirteen books as diverse as Trees for Town and City Gardens and A Brief Biography of Robert Sweet. John has lectured widely in Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand and has worked as a judge and consultant to garden shows and events. In 1985 he organised the opening of gardens for Victoria’s Sesquicentenary which led to his involvement in the founding of what is now Australia’s Open Garden Scheme. His knowledge of horticulture and garden history allows him to speak about the development of gardens and plants both historically and in our current context. His encyclopedic knowledge of plants and his entertaining story-telling provides interesting and instructive asides during his presentations.

Speaker Donation
John has generously provided his time to speak to us, and asks that his speaker’s fee be donated to his nominated charity. It would assist if members could provide a donation of FIVE DOLLARS CASH ONLY at the door. Once again, this is requested only of those members that are comfortable with it, and is not a requirement to attend the meeting.
John is expected to speak early in the program, hopefully by about 10:15, all going well.

Housekeeping
Tea and Coffee
As usual, tea and coffee service will be provided, and you’re asked to Bring Your Own Mug and some tasty morsels to share!
Show and Tell
Also as usual with our recent meetings, we will end the meeting with a “Show and Tell” session, where members will be invited to SHOW us the latest from their gardens and TELL us what’s been happening of interest in their gardening activities lately.
Trading Table (Cash Only)
Please bring along contributions from your garden for our trading table fundraiser – cuttings, potted plants, bulbs, produce, flowers all welcome. A $2 donation for each purchase.
Raffle (Cash Only)
We’ll have raffle tickets for sale, please bring some smaller denomination notes or coins to join in the raffle, another fund raiser supporting our activities.
Member Badges
We should have a few unclaimed badges for members who ordered but have not collected their badges. New badge orders can also be made.
And a reminder to Wear Your Name Badges!