List of Events
Southern Group Meeting
Guest Speaker Hugh McGregor has researched feral cats in diverse parts of
Australia and will talk to us about the devastating impact they
have on small native animals in all habitats.
Southern Group Excursion
Excursion: Inala Gondwanan Garden, Bruny Island
Subject to confirmation we hope to be able to visit this impressive garden of plant
species from all the land masses that were originally part of Gondwana (South America,
New Zealand, Australia, South Africa). More details later.
Southern Group Walk
Sunday Walk: Snug Tiers
Most of the Snug Tiers were badly burned in January 2025. We plan to have a look at how the regeneration is progressing. The walk begins with a steady climb up a south-facing hillside with the sort of moist-environment vegetation to be expected in such places. Once we reach the plateau the first few hundred metres escaped the fire and show a different vegetation community. Then we get into the burned area and what we will see is hard to predict - that’s why it should be interesting. The walk is entirely on 4WD roads but the initial climb is a big hill, 250m height gain. How far we go depends on you but unlikely to be more than 6km total. More details later.
Southern Group Excursion
Excursion: Garden Visits
We’d love to have a garden visit but need a volunteer (or several). Do you have a garden you would be prepared to share with other APST members? It doesn’t matter if it’s not as neat and tidy as Versailles, we just like looking at what you have done with native plants. If you can offer your garden please contact Peter Tuft - peter@tuft.id.au, 0414 297 487.
Southern Group Walk
Sunday Walk: Poverty Point, south of Cygnet
A walk along or close to the shoreline of the Huon estuary with the diversity
of vegetation to be expected in such places, and some geological interest too.
A repeat of a walk from about a year ago, but people enjoyed it so much
is seems worth doing again. More details later.
ANPSA 2026 Biennial Conference Mparntwe Alice Springs
For more details, please visit anpsaconference.com to read their September 2025, Issue 1 which contains details of the Conference location in Alice Springs, Tag-along Tours, Conference venue, and the Parks and Gardens to be visited.
State-wide Members’ Get-together 2026
The Southern Group are hosting the November State-wide
Members’ Get-together.
You will discover hidden botanical gems of the Huon Valley and far south as we explore a variety of vegetation communities, from alpine to coastal, on a series of short and medium walks.
The venue for Friday and Saturday evening meals is likely to be the Kermandie Hotel in Port Huon, which also provides accommodation. Dates for your diary with further details when available.
Southern Group Walk
Bev’s Lookout, South Bruny
Walk to Bevs LO on 26th April 2026
This track heads south from where it commences on Sawdust Road, near Kadens Corner, in Adventure Bay. The first 500 metres involves a steady climb along an abandoned wooden tramway and then a further 1.5Km fairly level going along that tramway through wet sclerophyll forest, and then a bit over 1K to Bevs Lookout. This latter 1K is initially along old forestry snig tracks climbing gently to a ridge, and then downhill through rainforest and then lower coastal vegetation. The great view from the lookout is south across the Bay of Islands, and to the east to Cape Connella.
I have been advised that the track is in good condition. However, since receiving that advice there has been quite a bit of rain which won’t create too many difficulties but there are a couple of places where the track is likely to be fairly wet. There will be leeches about, so gaiters and leech deterrents are advised. There is also a deep gully which used to have a rope, but reliable advice I received was that there had been a detour put in around that gully by some good people. I hope that’s correct. The return walk is about 7.5km if we go the full distance and there is a climb of approximately 200m.
As mentioned, the weather has been fairly damp recently and if this continues then it may be desirable to reschedule the walk to later in the year. Given the possibility that the walk may be cancelled, it would be desirable for those intending to do the walk to contact me on 0488 082 089. I would then be able to advise if the walk is cancelled.
I had ankle surgery 6 months ago, and while the ankle has been performing well, it hasn’t been tested with a long walk. If I have to pull out part way through, Lindsay Pender will take over.
There are some aspects of travelling to Bruny on day trips which need to be considered in the planning:
1. The ferry fare for off islanders is $55.80 return or $41:10 for pensioners.
2. There are queues going on and off the island in peak periods. These are not great at this time of the year, but an early departure is preferable. I suggest we aim for the 8:30 ferry, but those at 8:10 or 8:50 would be alternatives.
3. Because of the ferry charges and parking availability at the start of the walk, car-pooling would be desirable and that will be done at the car park for the Kettering Oval shortly after 8am.
I look forward to a good roll up. Please call me if you have any questions.
David Boyer
0488 082 089
Southern Group Excursion
Open Garden
A stroll though Anne and Tony Crawford’s garden. Please bring a plate to share for afternoon tea.
Anne has kindly offered to provide tea and coffee.
Northern Group Plant Sales
Contact : Louise Skabo
Location: Max Fry Hall, 60 Gorge Road Trevallyn : Sales commence at 9.45am and continues until sold out
Great variety of native flowers for your garden for sale
Southern Group Plants Sale
Contact: Bruce Champion 0408 146 041
Setup from 8.00 am in the Library forecourt at Kingston Primary School. Helpers needed from 8am to set up the area at the front of Library and bring all 700 plants through to the trestles.
Plants sales starts at 10.00 am through to 1:00 pm.
Pack up 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm putting away. Many helpers required, please come along and help.
Propagation at Southern Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Southern Group Meeting
Guest Speaker Katherine Tuft, CEO of Tasmanian Land Conservancy, will talk
about the work of TLC with a bias towards the botanical aspects which are
important in all TLC reserves and critically important in some of them.
Propagation at Southern Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Southern Group Walk
Thark Ridge, Mt Wellington
Meet at the large Big Bend carpark at 10.30am, which is 470m uphill from the Big Bend Firetrail start on the Pinnacle Road. It will be cold but hopefully not raining. Bring gear for a day walk on a rough track with some muddy sections and some scrub.
Please let Christine Corbett know if you are planning on coming.
corbettchristinem@gmail.com or 0447 299 334
About a year ago some of us attempted a medium-length loop walk through the alpine vegetation of Thark Ridge behind Mt Wellington, but there was so much botanical distraction that in half a day we only got about 1.5 km out and back again. Keith Corbett would like to have another go, and may or may not get any further. Botanical interest guaranteed. Could be up to 7km, around 300 m of height gain, some rough track.
Society Annual Group Meeting
The North West Group will be hosting the Society AGM in the Education Centre at the Tasmanian Arboretum on 28 March.
Arrive at 10.45am for an 11am sharp start to the AGM, this will be followed by Rees Campbell giving a different 45 minute talk to the earlier NW AGM talk on 7 March.
Around 12.30pm, the North West group to supply lunch followed by either Council meeting which every member is invited to attend but not compulsory or a group walk around the Arboretum.
About our Guest Speaker:
Rees Campbell was born and lives in beautiful Tasmania which has imbued her with a sense of wonder and passion for the natural world, conservation and environmentalism. With her husband Col and Darci - the poodle, they have developed “Murnong Wild Food Garden” at Wynyard, where they grow and showcase over 120 species of native edible plants alongside the usual productive fruit and vegetable plants.
Author of the sell-out Eat Wild Tasmanian and its expanded edition Eat MORE Wild Tasmanian, Rees seeks always to share the knowledge and joy of how best to grow, harvest and eat these wonderful botanical gifts. Expanding our knowledge of Tasmanian native edibles to seaweeds, Rees wrote The Seaweed Supplement, which identifies the best of Tasmania’s edible seaweeds, discusses their health, nutritional values; and of course, how to prepare and cook this amazing free food.
As the Feisty Tasmanian, Rees also makes a wide range of preserves and baked goods from the home grown harvest as part of normalising eating Tasmanian native land and sea plants as integral to our mixed horticultural and culinary heritage.
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Jobs this month will mostly revolve around getting all the more advanced plants ready
for our sale, including checking they all have a name tag. Hopefully we will still have
some time to do some cuttings and get them growing before winter arrives.
Hobart Group Excursion
Excursion: Pipeline Track, Neika to Fern Tree
An easy downhill stroll of 4.5km on a good track, with diverse vegetation and some geological interest. Contact Keith Corbett
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Jobs this month will mostly revolve around getting all the more advanced plants ready
for our sale, including checking they all have a name tag. Hopefully we will still have
some time to do some cuttings and get them growing before winter arrives.
Hobart AGM and General Meeting
Hobart Group AGM and General Meeting at 7 pm all welcome
Accepting the AGM Minutes for 2025, presentation of President’s Report, acceptance of the Treasurer’s annual Financial Report and the election of Office Bearers and Committee for the following year. Election of new President, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee members. (see below Notice of AGM)
The AGM will be followed by a General Meeting and Supper with Christine Corbett’s talk on Changing a Hill of Weeds into a Pond Garden
Contact: the Secretary if further information required
NOTICE
ANNUAL GROUP MEETING
OF
AUSTRALIAN PLANTS SOCIETY INC.
HOBART GROUP
To be held on March11th 2026 at 7pm
at Kingston Primary School Library, Church Street, KINGSTON
for the purpose of 1. accepting the AGM Minutes for 2025, 2. for the presentation of the President’s Report, 3. the acceptance of the Treasurer’s annual Financial Report, and 4. the election of Office Bearers and Committee for the following year.
Nominations will be accepted prior to February 25th for:
President
Vice President (position presently vacant)
Treasurer
Secretary
and Committee
Please notify the Secretary if you would like to nominate yourself or another member for any of the above.
The AGM will be followed by a General Meeting and Supper.
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings that have taken to be potted up
Potting up from tiny pots to 75mm pots,
Weeding and topping up with mix,
Pots to be scrubbed and
Potting mix to make up.
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings that have taken to be potted up
Potting up from tiny pots to 75mm pots,
Weeding and topping up with mix,
Pots to be scrubbed and
Potting mix to make up
Hobart Group Walk
Sunday Walk: Tarn Shelf, Mt Field
From Lake Dobson the walk will climb to the ski field then across toward Tarn Shelf and as far along the shelf as we feel like going. There is a huge diversity of vegetation on this walk, including the lush forest beside Lake Dobson. Depending how far we go this walk could be 8km, a lot of uphill (over 300m ascent), some rough track. Contact Christine Corbett
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings that have taken to be potted up
Potting up from tiny pots to 75mm pots,
Weeding and topping up with mix,
Pots to be scrubbed and
Potting mix to make up
Hobart Group Meeting
Guest Speaker Miguel de Salas, from theTasmanian Herbarium
”Why plant names change”
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings that have taken to be potted up
Potting up from tiny pots to 75mm pots,
Weeding and topping up with mix,
Pots to be scrubbed and
Potting mix to make up.
Hobart Group Excursion
Excursion: Scoparia at Mt Field East
We don’t normally have activities in summer but in a good season the Scoparia around Mt Field can be truly spectacular at this time of year. To take advanatage of that we’ll walk from Lake Dobston across Windy Moor to Mt Field East. If we return the same way the round trip is about 7km and involves about 350 m of climbing. Depending on the group, there is an alternative route via Lake Nicholls which descends through different vegetation communities (forest rather than alpine moorland). That is a bit longer, a total of 9 km with a little more climbing although we could minimise that by doing a car swap. Contact Peter Tuft for details.
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings and potting up.
Hobart Group - Christmas Picnic
End of year lunch is on Sunday 14 December at the Tasmanian Bushland Garden.
12 noon (for 12.30pm) and please bring festive cheer and a plate to share and your drinks.
Undercover picnic tables, barbecue and toilets provided
The Gardens are at 5602 Tasman Highway, Buckland,
just 4km south of the Buckland Village
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings and potting up.
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings and potting on.
Kingborough Day Group
Visit to a private garden in Blackman’s Bay
Meet at the address at 2pm, check with Carmen if in doubt or need further details.
Please bring a plate to share.
Hobart Group Walk
Sunday Walk: Cape Surville
Please contact Peter Tuft for details. We will try again to reach the flowering heathland and wonderful coastal scenery - peter@tuft.id.au, or 0414 297 487
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings and potting on.
Hobart Group Excursion
Excursion: iNaturalist familiarisation
Somewhere in the Kingston/Channel area. Some members may already be aware of the iNaturalist app and website. The app has recently been upgraded to include a remarkable AI plant identification capability.
Peter Tuft will demonstrate how to use the app, including other capabilities, during a stroll somewhere near Kingston where there happen to be lots of interesting flowers on the day. If you want to attend please make sure you have downloaded the app and set up a (free) account in advance.
Contact Peter Tuft for further details
Propagation at Hobart Group Nursery
Contact: Bruce or Tony if you require further details
Location: Kingston Primary School, follow the red line on map below
Cuttings and potting up.
Hobart Group Meeting
General Meeting; Speaker will be Keith Corbett on
The Walls of Jerusalem