Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens
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The Committee

Ten members, elected at our Annual General Meeting in August 2017, form the Committee of Management of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens:

Committee Office-bearers:

President: Allison Martland
Vice President: Anthea Williams
Vice-President: Judy Lavery
Secretary: Helen Rodd
Treasurer: Ro Richards

Committee Members:

Lawrie Baker
Libby Hogg
Kate Kirkhope
Gwelda Owen
Lucy Pope

Susanna Keith and Judy Fyfe have retired from the Committee after many years of service, both as Committee members and also as Office-bearers.   

The Committee of Management works for the good governance of the Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens and sees its chief task as supporting the work of our members to benefit the Gardens. The Committee offers activities and events including: the Botanical Art School, Through the Garden Gates tour, the evening Talks Program, Tours and Winter Luncheon.  It also manages staffing and administration and works in partnership with the City and the Gardens.  The Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens Incorporated is the Trustee for the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens Gift Fund.

Annual General Meeting, August 28 2017

Our Annual General Meeting was well attended.  We particularly appreciate thatPeter Godfrey, Acting Manager of City Services and Grant Baverstock, Manager Parks and Gardens, were able to attend.  Helena Buxton, former President of the Friends, took the Chair for the election of the new Committee   

President  Allison Martland gave an account of the Friends’ achievements during 2016-2017. Treasurer, Judy Fyfe, presented a detailed, audited, financial report on our operating and investment accounts, the Gift Fund, and outlined a budget for 2017-18, with expected further funding planned to support GBG projects and programs. Full financial reports are available at the Friends' Office. Davidsons Accountants were re-appointed as our auditors.

Honorary Life Memberships were awarded to Helen Rodd and Judy Fyfe. in recognition of their long and loyal service to the Friends and the Gardens. Congratulations Helen and Judy.

At the conclusion of the meeting, we were treated to two very informative illustrated talks which focused on some of the fauna of the Gardens and Eastern Park. Grant Baverstock gave a presentation on the bats, particularly micro bats, found in our locale then Craig Morley, member of Friends and Field Naturalist, presented comprehensive data and information relating to the presence of birds in the vicinity since the 1970s. Both talks gave fascinating insights into the movement and habits of the birds and bats of the Gardens and surrounding parkland.

President's Annual Report 2017

Treasurer's Report 2017 and Summary of Financial Reports

 

Committee

Dr Philip Moors
 

FGBG Patron

Late in 2013, we introduced our new Patron, Dr Philip Moors, AO.  Philip has a long association with the GBG and the Geelong Friends and has retired from his position as Director and Chief Executive, RBG Melbourne.  We greatly appreciate the advice and assistance which Philip gave us with our planning as hosts of the 2016 AAFBG Conference and are delighted that Philip could be MC for several of the conference sessions.

Rules and Purposes

Following the 2013 AGM, confirmation was received from the Registrar of Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) that our new Rules and Purposes have been approved, without alteration.  

At the 2014 AGM, the Committee proposed some further alterations and the Friends voted to broaden the scope of our Purposes and Rules and our Gift Fund Trust Deed to include Eastern Park.  This change recognises the City Fathers’ original intention that the Botanic Gardens occupy the entire 200 acre site, part of which is now Eastern Park. These changes have received ratification from Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Australian Taxation Office.

see FGBG Rules and Purposes 2013 with Amendments 2014

FGBG Members' Handbook

The FGBG Members' Handbook is for all our members, and is written for Friends enjoying the Gardens and working together.  It has three messages:  

  • The first is to welcome new members into our company.
  • The next is to outline the history of the Geelong Botanic Gardens and provide some information about the roles of the City of Greater Geelong at the GBG, and those of the Friends.
  • Lastly, the longer section on volunteers' induction, deals with the way we must operate while at work in the Gardens, finishing with a pro forma (available at the FGBG office) that all volunteers sign in order to comply with CoGG requirements.

We hope you find it helpful, and welcome your responses.  Like our Website, the Handbook will always be a work in progress, as we grow and change.
View or download the FBGB Members' Handbook here (pdf).

Other Organisational Documents

The Committee has developed Policies to assist in the management of the organisation, for the mutual benefit of our members and our staff.  Members can access these policies at the office and current policies include:

  • Professional Development Policy
  • Leave of Absence Policy
  • Refund Policy
  • Gifts and Reimbursement Policy
  • Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention Policy

The Friends, in partnership with the City of Greater Geelong, also observe the City's policies and procedures in volunteer workplace matters such as:

  • FGBG Hands on Horticulture Activity Standard Operating Procedure

September 2017