2024 April AGM - President Report
Nipaluna Nursery is in its third year of operation with our first formal meeting held on 26 October 2021, and the announcement of the HCC grant, which became effective in 2022-2023.
We are 2 and a half years old! Our first AGM was on 21 March 2023.
We grew 6,000 plants in the first year and then 16,000 last year. Now we are scheduled to grow 26,000 for the Tas Land Conservancy for five Midlands farmers. Thanks to Jill and Aud we now have beautiful spreadsheets to keep track of our plant numbers and seed collection.
Wendy Wilkinson, our seed collector based in Tunbridge has been steadily adding to our seed bank.
We have an active private Facebook group with 109 members and Insta with 500+ followers. Our website is poised to go live. We thank Jooles Whittle for funding this development. And as Mary Robinson remarked recently, “I thought it was just about the plants but it’s way more than that!”
In the last year we:
successfully grew 16,000 plants with 5 planting days at Beaufront, plus an overnight trip with the Big Picture School.
conducted a Science Week Field Day: Welcome to Country with Leroy and Linton Burgess, highlighted with a film by Robert Alcock.
represented Nip Nursery with a Display at TMAG for Threatened Species Day on 7 September 2023
launched 2 films Welcome to Country and Healing Country at soirees at Kick Start Arts
facilitated a Field Trip to The Royal Tas Botanical Garden Seed Bank and a Field Trip to Tunbridge
ran a first aid session
gained use of the Nursery at Ogilvie
established an extension at the Croquet Club
supported a partnership with Muri Environment Centre at Rarotonga Cook Islands and funded $1100 for cradles and tubes.
We were also successful with a Global Landcare Grant for $1000 for them to set up an education workshop at their Nursery.
received over $1000 in donations for carbon offsets.
held 5 ‘Prick Out Parties’ that resulted in getting new members
ran a Field Day for the Outdoor Health Conference on 17 April with 20 participants visiting Okehampton and the Morrisbyii trial, Watchhouse Hills Covenant and Wind Song Aboriginal Handover. This provided a good dry run for the Science Week Field Day in August.
Successful Grants
Andrew Willkie grant for a trailer ($6,000)
Neighbours Grant of $1250 to run a workshop and plant out the Display Garden of Edible Tasmanian Native Plants. Jerry de Gryce has drawn up plans and donated $200 to fund the Underground service locator. Jimmy to dig the area.
Science Week grants:
($4000) Wild Tasmanian Food with Rees Campbell
($4000) By Gum Healing Country – East Coast Field trip.
Global Landcare Grant for Muri Environment Centre, ($1000)
Nipaluna Nursery has clocked up over 1000 volunteer hours this year. We have 35 members. The core of our being is the management team of regulars who come together on Tuesdays full of enthusiasm, passion, commitment (and great food!).
I would like to acknowledge the Executive and thank Ken our outgoing Treasurer for his work in getting us started, particularly with the Constitution. And thank Jimmy for leading the work in the infrastructure and liaising with farmers. Thank you to Michael for your diligence and financial acumen! You all have important roles which keep us flourishing.
Anna for keeping us connected with the world of Landcare and coming in on Saturdays. Countess Jill and Aud (the Auditor) for their amazing spreadsheets of the plants and the seeds.
Tanya Bailey for her encouragement and sage advice.
Sarah for her creative contribution, with her beautiful birthday cards and tip shop finds!
Kathy for her all round general enthusiasm.
A warm welcome to new committee member Peter Kingston.
We have an active, vibrant supportive team of Loonies, working together in harmony, with humour and a sense of fun, to take action for the biodiversity of our beautiful island.
Nel Smit
23 April 2024
