Our April meeting was held in the lovely gardens at the home of John Browne on a beautiful sunny autumn day.

President Marg Dent welcomed 28 present with six apologies.

Our guest speaker was Jan Diprose from the Weddin Community Native Nursery at Grenfell, a volunteer nursery started under the Landcare banner.

Seeds are collected, sorted and stored. They are grown in hot houses and sold to farmers and shire councils.

Jan was an inspirational speaker who was duly thanked.

John Browne also spoke on his garden, home to many unusual plants.

Flower of the month winners were: 1st Denise Thurston – Clematis; 2nd Elvy Quirk – Dahlia; 3rd Marlene Huf - Rose.

Raffle winners were Joy Hocking, Elvy Quirk, Janette Thomas, Meg Scholefield and John Browne.

Our bus trip to visit the Tumbling Downs Olive Grove at Bogan Gate started out with a bus filled with members and friends all eager for an outing in this beautiful autumn weather.

We were welcomed by Colin and Shelley Nutley with a delicious Devonshire Tea.

Shelley spoke of the history of their farm, how they pick and press the olives, and had lots of jams, relishes and oil tasting.

We then enjoyed a sumptuous meal at the refurbished Bogan Gate Pub.

Our next stop was visiting three gardens at Parkes. The first at the home of Leah Douglas who had been inundated with the 2022 floods. Lots of advanced trees, a large area to explore and tend.

Next was Nancy McColl. Her large cottage type led us into lots of paths around her home filled with trees and shrubs.

At the last garden at Fay and Kelvie Blackstock's home all manner of creations from old machinery made by Kelvie with succulents planted everywhere was a wonder to withhold.

We are so appreciative of the planning by Denise Thurston for this fantastic day.

Our next meeting will we at the home of Mel and Anita Sinclair 58 McDonnell St Forbes on Tuesday 27 May at 2pm. Our speaker is Sarah Curry, please bring a chair flower of month and a mug.

By GREEN THUMB