2022/23 AGM report

Click HERE to download the 2022/23 AGM report

FBBGSA Annual Report 2022 -23

The Board models its annual report based upon the aspects of who we are.

Promoting and Communicating – 

  • Website  
    • The website platform continues to be updated as required 
    • Calendar and list updated 
    • Continuing inclusion of COVID19 requirements 
    • FBBGSA ‘Learn and Share’ theme for all events 
    • Continuing additions to ‘What’s in Flower’ – thanks members 
    • Usage report of our website shows continued positive interactions
  • Mailchimp Lliygram e-News
    • A dedicated communications manager has been appointed. Member Kat Pearson 
    • Communication path with members, other subscribers, all BCC Councillors, news offices & other like-minded associations & groups. 
    • News and event reminders 
    • The response rate of members continues to be higher than the industry average 
  • FBBGSA youtube clips from drones and videos – project with Jim dobbin and Mary Jo Katter – now expanded to 5 videos as of June 2023 including general overview, camellia, fern house, arid gardens and Japanese gardens. We commend the videos and ask that you subscribe to our You-tube channel. 

Unfortunately, member subscription to our you-tube site has been poor. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R37iF9aVuc4

  • Social Media – Facebook & Instagram – members continue to post news and stories with a large increase in public posts of pictures and stories
    • FB 2744 followers – audience size 19-23 Million mostly women 68% between ages of 18 – 65. External messages always about visits and pictures taken at the gardens 
  • Printed brochures & posters provide traditional information platforms 
    • All publications and posters are still relevant 
    • Printing for 2023 halted until old stock depleted 
  • Members of AAFBG and BGANZ enables us to share ideas and events around Australia and NZ.

Protecting the Gardens through 

  • Advocacy in relation to the proposed Lumina project at Mt Coot-tha. Annette Irish, Secretary, on behalf of the members submitted a formal objection to the project. The project was approved by BCC with constraints as to environmental management issues. The Friends nor the Secretary were in a financial position to fight the project through the appeals system. 
  • Close working relationship with BCC gardens staff 
  • Liaising with and providing support and advice to our sister group Friends of Sherwood Arboretum

Enjoying the Gardens 

  • Participation in the kitchen garden team, staff walks and tours
  • Developing and promoting a series of videos of Mt Coot-tha Gardens for public viewing 

Listening and Learning

  • Learn and Share program continued with – 11 workshops, walks, tours and speakers events in 2022/23.
  • Wednesday Evening Speakers Series every second month

Being Part of a Team 

  • Health and Safety training is being developed to be on-line to meet the Brisbane City Council to enhance the training program to ensure it is relevant to our activities and COVID 19 requirements
  • We continue to ensure sufficient insurance cover tor volunteers. 
  • 2022 saw members assist in the City Gardens Team but a permanent team has not had the interest for which we were hoping.
  • ‘What’s flowering team’ met in November 2022. Process to collect material was developed. Poor GPS connection holding the project back. 
  • The board members expanded and we welcomed the support and knowledge Kat Pearson brought to the board. 
  • We farewelled Dr Jan Sim who after 8 years on the board retired from the board.
  • Ros Laundon, Kat Pearson, Elizabeth Teeland, Patty Munro, Helen Jeremy, Arno King, Paul Plant and Annette Irish again volunteered, supported or presented at the plant propagation day ‘the Big Day In’ in May.
  • Members are always encouraged to make suggestions to the directors regarding activities, become a team leader and assist as best you may, can or wish. 

Gardening with Friends

  • Volunteer teams continue to support the FBBGSA activities. 
  • The kitchen garden team have been back busily looking after the area.. 
  • The What’s Flowering project has attracted 10 members. 
  • A number of members have volunteered for the Brisbane Treasures team which will hopefully commence 2024.

Making new Friends at Events

It has been a struggle still to engage our members in regular activities …. Bring on 2024. 

We had 16 new members during 2022-2023. Sadly we lost a number who have moved away from Brisbane

The Friends continue with the Bring a Friend to the Friends …. and be rewarded’ program with $20 credit apportioned to a referring member if the new member notes same when joining. 

Sense of Satisfaction for helping a Good Cause

  • Membership subscriptions and event income help us implement our objectives. Even if you can’t attend your membership assists us support projects within the gardens. 
  • We have a MOU with Brisbane City Council and continue to ensure amenable working relations, ensuring our policies and procedures to meet both our regulatory and management needs. The MOU will be reviewed in the new year.
  • Artwork for the Endrim project has been ordered. The piece chosen will meet the requirements of BCC and the BCC works in the Children’s Trail. This artist was chosen after considering the requirements of BCC regarding materials, maintenance and installation and his recent works produced for BCC. 

How can we meet the needs of our members and the community? 

The board members appreciate that we all share the values and ideas of what we may achieve together. The board has to consider what is achievable by our members, attract a wide choice of age groups, act within BCC guidelines and importantly be of benefit to the gardens and the community. 

It is envisaged that with further support of our members our program could expand. All members are always encouraged and welcome to share their ideas and talents, organise events, represent the Friends or just engage in the social aspect of The Friends. Members are encouraged to share their thoughts. 

Finances for membership income and events are static. We had to cancel bus tours requiring refunds. Our income was less than hoped. It is imperative that in 2024 members support the Friends’ activities and consider other options for fund raising. 

Accepting Donations 

The issue of FBBGSA accepting donations within the bounds of council property is being assessed by the BCC legal office. We have found an electronic system that allows people to use their credit card so no collecting of coins and also placing posters in more vantage pints around the gardens with QR codes. We await approval. 

We all look forward to a fabulous 2023 and meeting everyone …. Again.

Regards 

Annette Irish 

Director Secretary 

on behalf of The Board Directors of FBBGSA 

Arno King, Hendrika Kwan, Megan Hogan, Kat Pearson and Dale Arvidsson (ex-officio) 

Membership Report 

2022 – 2023 

157 members

16 new members 

6 Life time members 

3 corporate members