Gladstone

Meetings

Gladstone branch conducts monthly daytime excursions to areas of botanical interest in the Port Curtis Region.

Details of upcoming excursions can be found on the events calendar.

If you would like to attend an excursion, please notify the branch secretary.

Participants are asked to bring a first-aid kit, food and drinking water and ensure that they have sufficient petrol for the day.

Our excursions are for the purpose of

• identifying and sharing knowledge of endemic species
• collecting herbarium specimens for the Queensland Herbarium and the Tondoon Botanic Gardens Herbarium
• collecting propagation material for the Tondoon Botanic Gardens nursery

Members

SGAP Gladstone welcomes anyone interested in learning more about native plants to join their branch.

Visitors are welcome to attend up to three excursions before becoming a branch member.

Projects

Gladstone branch members actively participate in a number of community projects, including:

• supporting the Tondoon Botanic Gardens Herbarium
• providing advice for bush tucker school gardens
• community tree planting days around town
• creating a display for World Environment Day at Tondoon Botanic Gardens
• visiting notable private gardens in the region
• supporting the Observer Civic Beautification Committee garden Competition

History

At a meeting convened by Judge Pat Shanahan on 19th July 1977, the Gladstone Branch of SGAP was formed with a small, but keen group of native plant enthusiasts.

In 1982, Gladstone Branch published their first book, Australian Native Plants for Cultivation in Suburban Gardens, compiled by Suzanne Aspland, with assistance from Ruth Crosson, Norm Gibson and Doug Tighe.

Gladstone branch has played a major role in the development of Tondoon Botanic Gardens, especially in the setting up of a Herbarium, which was subsequently named the Norm Gibson Herbarium in honour of long-time member, Chairman of Gladstone Branch, and collector par excellance.

Local Interest