Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens
You are here: The Friends >> The Committee
  

The Committee

The Committee

Nine members, elected at our Annual General Meeting in August 2016, form the Committee of Management of the Friends of Geelong Botanic Gardens (there is one casual vacancy on the Committee):

Committee Office-bearers:

President: Allison Martland
Vice President: Anthea Williams
Vice-President: Susanna Keith
Secretary: Helen Rodd
Treasurer: Judy Fyfe

Committee Members:

Lawrie Baker
Judy Lavery
Gwelda Owen
Lucy Pope

Helen Buxton and Luanne Thornton have retired from the Committee after many years of service, both as Committee members and also 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 29 2016

Our Annual General Meeting was well attended.  We particularly appreciate that Annette Zealley, Director, and Grant Baverstock, Manager Parks and Gardens, were able to attend.  Grant took the Chair for the election of the new Committee   The meeting enjoyed listening to Annette's informative and entertaining illustrated presentation of developments in the Gardens over the past year explaining changes and new developments, including: the tree planting project in Eastern Park, the restoration of the Ladies Kiosk, the conservatory rebuilding and also education.

President  Allison Martland gave an account of the Friends’ achievements during 2015-2016 President's Annual Report.  Treasurer, Judy Fyfe, presented a detailed, audited, financial report on our operating and investment accounts, the Gift Fund, and outlined a budget for 2016-17, with expected further funding planned to support GBG projects and programs. Financial Report  Full financial reports are available at the Friends' Office. Davidsons Accountants were re-appointed as our auditors.

Honorary Life Memberships were awarded to Fairley Friend, Zoe Monotti, Luanne Thornton (abs) and Susanna Keith. in recognition of their long and loyal service to the Friends and the Gardens. Congratulations Fairley, Zoe, Luanne and Susanna!

AGM

Fairley Friend and Zoe Monotti receiving Honorary Life Memberships from Jayne Salmon
 

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).

Policy 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

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

  • Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Prevention Policy
  • FGBG Hands on Horticulture Activity Standard Operating Procedure

March 2017