Anne grew up in South West NSW, in Leeton. Some years ago, she and her late husband, Ron moved to Katoomba and purchased the then-derelict Cloudlands property, which they fully-restored over four years. As you may know, Cloudlands is an historical old writer’s retreat built from magnificent timbers on an acre of terraced escarpment garden leading down to Prince Henry Cliff Walk. Anne adores Cloudlands and says it is like living in a big tree house, waking each morning to bird songs.

Anne is embarking on a different stage in her life. She is permanently renting out the guest house which will free her up to focus on her many interests, as well as time to travel and visit her elderly mother. Anne will remain living in the Cloudlands’ main house.

A major part of Anne's time is spent in fulfilling her duties as Convivium Leader, Slow Food Blue Mountains, Committee Member of the Katoomba Chamber of Commerce and Community and Board Member of the Bendigo Community Bank, located in Katoomba. So far, Bendigo Katoomba Community Bank has put around $95,000 back into the community through sponsoring a number of very worthy local nonprofit community-based organisations and groups. Just recently, they had a Cupcake Day for the RSPCA at the Branch and raised over $500 in cupcake sales. The cupcakes were made and decorated by Bendigo Bank staff and directors. Bendigo Bank is unique as it is mandated to put around 80% of profits back into the community.

Anne was born “an earth woman” and is fascinated with animals and nature. She is very keen on creating a planet of peace. Two of her major interests are slow food and animal welfare. Anne finds that observing animals and nature is profound. Particularly intriguing is the innocence of animals. She says that everything struggles to live and everything is wanting of respect.

Anne especially appreciates the effort a mother hen takes in raising her chick with singular devotion. Anne’s favourite chook is Sweetie. Sweetie is the boss lady of the chook yard. Sweetie’s territory was recently threatened when a Japanese Bantam chook born last Easter, grew up into a noisy bossy rooster and chased Sweetie out of the yard and up a tree. Needless to say the Bantam rooster was re-homed.

Anne relaxes by going to the opera, particularly at the Sydney Opera House and watching films at Mt Vic Flicks. She mainly reads biographies and very much enjoyed reading “Gandhi The Man” written by Eknath Easwaran.

Anne would like to encourage public art and assist others in creating more. She, herself, would like to paint botanical art. She likes the discipline and detail required in replicating nature. Anne finds this quite meditative.

In May next year Anne and her close friend will take a garden tour in Europe commencing with the Chelsea Flower Show. She plans to take lots of photographs as a reference with which to commence her new venture of botanical art.

Friday

20 Sept	A Walk on the Wild Side	We will tour the stunning Wildwoods Gardens in the heart of Bilpin. Lots to choose from for lunch. There is also a tearoom, gift shop and nursery to browse through. Final payments must be made today.	Cost

$35	9am sharp

departure and 9.20 pick up at Blackheath
Thursday10 Oct	Garden Ramble	Following our meeting in October a garden ramble will be available for all members. Save the date in your diary.	Free	Address provided on the day
Friday

8 Nov	Irises at Millthorpe	This will be a full day and will include morning and afternoon tea, a pub lunch and a visit to two gardens. Names and money taken today.	Cost

$40	8am sharp departure
Thursday 5 Dec	Christmas lunch	Wentworth Falls Country Club, 206 Blaxland Road. Buffet lunch, a drink on arrival and door prizes. Names and money are now being taken.	Cost

$30	12 noon

Annual subscriptions of $20 for 2013/14 are due. New membership is $30.

12 September 2013 Edition No. 264

FromThe Vice President…….

Hello everyone. Henry and Lea, and our new Librarian Carol, are all on the other side of the world holidaying and visiting family. Sharon and Lynton, and I have just returned from over there as well. We also had family to catch up with and we met for lunch at a pub in London with our respective families in tow. Great fun!

Whilst in the UK we ate strawberries and raspberries that were amazingly sweet and luscious, and I used any excuse to savour the flavours of Elderberry.

Peter and I had three days of self-indulgence visiting Great Dixter, the home of Christopher Lloyd; R.H.S. Wisley, and the beautiful home and gardens of Sissinghurst. All three were lush and green and overflowing with colourful perennials. I returned to a parched, lifeless Leura garden, but Spring is beckoning. My peonies are shooting through, the hellebores are thriving and the deciduous trees are in tiny bud. All we need now is some rain to help them on their way. We have a new puppy as a mate for our 13-month-old Border Collie and if I needed any excuse to get out into the garden, these two dogs are it.

Over the next few months Jane has organised some extremely interesting guest speakers and we have two wonderful trips that Sharon and Lynton have put together for us. I don’t know about you, but I love the secure feeling of being with Lynton at the helm of the bus….he’s a very safe and competent driver with years of Army training to back him up. It is one aspect that we might take for granted but it certainly adds to a happy day out.

I hope that all of you are as happy as I am being part of Wentworth Falls Garden Club. Can it be any better than sharing something we love with such nice people?

Celeste

Our Guest Speaker for today is Anne Elliott . . . . .

Dates for Your Diary

Club Information

All members and visitors are asked to sign in upon arrival.

Members are asked to wear their club name badges to all club meetings, tours and functions. To take part in club functions and tours you must be a bona-fide club member

General Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month, from January to November at the Wentworth Falls School of Arts Theatre, Adele Ave (cnr Great Western Hwy) Wentworth Falls. Meetings commence at 9.45 and finish around noon. The Library and Plant Stall are open before the meeting and at morning tea. $5 entry fee.

For Club Welfare matters contact Jane McKanna on

Ph: 4787 8631.

Guest Speakers

Today’s Meeting

12 September:

Next Meeting:

10 October:

Anne Elliott

Slow Food/Chooks

Liz Benson

Waratahs

Morning Tea

Today: Fran Craze & Gai Horrocks

10 Oct: Julie Allen & Margaret Williams

If you are unable to come on your rostered day, please call Jane Blackshaw on 47572887

Club Secretary:

Janice Light. Ph: 4782 2481

Wentworth Falls Garden Club, PO Box 37

Wentworth Falls NSW 2782

www.wentworthfallsgardenclub.com

Microsoft Office User

2013-09-10

Celeste Sequeira

Hewlett-Packard