Jacaranda Cruise with the Sydney Heritage Fleet - 7 November 2025

What a wonderful day we had on Friday, 7 November 2025!

Twenty-three members of the NSW Rose Society enjoyed a charming harbour cruise along the Parramatta River to admire the stunning jacarandas blooming along this prominent historical waterway. We boarded a small heritage vessel, The Harman, a Royal Australian Navy motor launch built in 1944.

Volunteers from the not-for-profit Sydney Heritage Fleet delivered a fascinating talk about the heritage vessels they lovingly restore and maintain. Patricia Hale and Jan Larsen shared their knowledge as we enjoyed our 1.5-hour cruise along the river. Although the water became choppy near the river mouth, it soon settled as we travelled deeper into this remarkable waterway.

During the cruise, the volunteers explained the significant Aboriginal waterway boundaries that mark the traditional lands of the Gadigal and Dharawal peoples. This was especially meaningful, as many of us had never been exposed to such rich First Nations history.

The Gadigal people’s traditional lands cover the area around modern-day Sydney, south of Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), stretching from South Head to Petersham. To the south, the Dharawal people’s lands border the Gadigal just below Botany Bay and extend further south toward Wollongong and the Shoalhaven River. We were also given historical accounts of how riverfront and waterfront areas were colonised by the First Fleet in 1788. The volunteers highlighted the original Aboriginal place names of key sites along the river and the names those places are known by today.

The stunning purple blooms of Jacaranda trees along the Parramatta River were a sight to behold. These trees were introduced to Sydney in the 1850s as part of the early beautification projects and private plantings. Though native to Brazil, they have become a beloved feature of Sydney’s spring landscape. We also spotted many Australian natives—vibrant orange-bloomed Silky Oaks and bright red flowers of the Illawarra Flame Trees—putting on their own amazing colourful display; forming, as volunteer Patricia described it, “a charming trifecta” of purple, orange and reds along picturesque Parramatta River.

Our cruise was made even more delightful thanks to our wonderful NSW Rose Society Secretary, Stefica Bikesh, who kindly prepared tea and coffee for everyone and treated us to delicious cream biscuits.

Intan Kallus

Editor

Jacaranda along Parramatta River. Image: Adam Pearce

*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Garden Club of Australia Inc - AGM 15 October 2025

Dear State Council, Chairs, Secretaries and delegates,

It's a great pleasure to let you know that today in Albury at the Annual General Meeting of The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc. (GCA) it was announced that our President Colin Hollis was awarded The President of the Garden Clubs of Australia Inc. Award.  

Other than GCA Life Membership, this is the highest award that may be bestowed on an individual who is a member of a club affiliated with The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc.  

It is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to gardening and/or horticulture. 

I hope you will join me in congratulating Colin. 

Also a reminder that the Sydney and Macarthur Rose Show is on this Saturday, the 18th of October from 10am to 330pm at the Camden Showground AH&I Hall

You have until tomorrow evening to get your show entries in and I hope you can attend on Saturday and encourage your members to attend 

Thank you 

Stefica

Stefica Bikesh

Secretary - The Rose Society of New South Wales 

M: 0450074443

PO Box 3 Jamberoo 2533

Email: nswrosesec@gmail.com

Web: www.nsw.rose.org.au