On a cold but sunny winter’s day there were 50 people at the August meeting of the Lakes Entrance Garden Club, which included the annual general meeting.
Stepping down from committee were Dearne Albert, Elise Walker and Kay Zacher. The
club appreciates all the work they have put
in over the years.
A new committee was elected which included four new faces.
The show bench highest scores for 2024-25 were announced: First went to Dearne Albert, second to Shirley Bardwell and third to Sheryl MacCubbin. Shirley received her prize while Dearne and Sheryl were both absent.
Show bench judge for August was Jan Read from Orbost and she thanked everyone who put in entries. Jan said that judging was difficult given the quality of entries.
Colours of the rainbow section “A” was won by Rhonda Mitchell with an unusual deep pink camellia. It was equal second between a pale pink hellebore and a frilly pink camellia.
First place in colours of the rainbow section “B” went to Gwen Christopher with a brilliant gold pansy. Second was Shirley Bardwell with flame red Alstroemeria.
Colours of the rainbow section “C” saw Gwen also win with a lovely white Spanish bluebell while second was Shirley Bardwell with
a fragrant white daphne Daphne.
Gwen rounded off three wins in colours of the rainbow section “D” with a burgundy and white Hellebore. Second was a camellia,
pale pink edged with darker pink from
Rhonda Mitchell.
In the one cut native acacia section there were equal firsts with the judge’s comment “almost perfect equal firsts”. The winners were Stan Barker with his entry tiny leaves along with tiny yellow flowers that looked like stars along the branch, and Ann Bambridge with the always beautiful golden wattle. Second was Ann Barker with the amazing red wattle.
There were great entries in the three cuts Australian native section with first going to Ann Barker – a red wattle, lemon Grevillea and burgundy Banksia.
Second was Diane McStay with yellow wattle, lemon Banksia and red Grevillea.
In the potted plant in flower section first from Margaret Walker with a planter full of small and bright yellow daffodils. Second was a pristine white orchid from Shirley Bardwell.
Gwen Christopher was first in the three bulbous flowers section with eye-catching daffodils – especially the big frilly yellow centre one. Second was Shirley Bardwell with Jonquil, Daffodil and Freesia.
The container of flowers section was a bright spring show. First went to Diane McStay in colours of lemons and grey – this was best exhibit of the day. Second went to Ann Barker with mainly pinks and a pop of purple.
Guest speakers were Darryl and John from the Bruthen SES Unit. Darryl explained that at the moment the Bruthen SES has one vehicle in a shed in Lakes Entrance, but in the future it is hoped to have the main unit in Lakes Entrance and then Bruthen would be a satellite unit.
The SES helps people during floods, storms, tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides.
The Bruthen SES Unit’s area covers a huge area: north at Tambo Crossing; west at the Nicholson River; east at Boggy Creek; then right down to the Gippsland Lakes. For this huge area there are only two vehicles and not enough volunteers.
Volunteering at the SES can be fulfilling
and training is offered in first aid, general rescue, safe working at heights and for truck and boat licenses.
Currently Bairnsdale has a boat and in
future there could be one at Lakes Entrance. Major months for call call-outs are generally September and February mainly for floods
and fallen trees.
The SES was required when there was abnormal high tides for sandbagging to protect homes and businesses in Lakes Entrance.
Darryl and John said everyone should have an emergency kit with medications, a torch and batteries, bottled water, reading glasses, mobile phones and chargers and warm clothes in case of emergency.
John mentioned that he saw an SES display at a local market not long after he had moved to the area. He joined as a volunteer in August 2019. John has enjoyed great camaraderie in the SES with the Bruthen group.
His involvement has included being out in vehicles in the middle of the night to Kalimna Hill landslides, vehicle accidents, flood events, searches in the bush, water leaks and even someone stuck in their bathtub.
The September meeting will be held on Monday, September 15, 1.30pm at the Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall.
