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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261024T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261024T120000
DTSTAMP:20260911T223401Z
CREATED:20260708T111302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T223401Z
UID:10001502-1792834200-1792843200@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Bushland Nature Walk
DESCRIPTION:A special guided walk to explore the Gardens’ Bushland Precinct\, across the Black Mountain road from the main part of the Gardens. The walk celebrates the official opening of the Walk ten years ago\, in December 2016. We also celebrate the official opening of the Gardens in the month of October 1970. \nThe Bushland Nature Walk meanders through the Bushland Precinct of the ANBG\, which is one of the few botanic gardens that has a section of original natural flora. The walk takes you through open forest and features expansive views to Canberra City and Parliament House. Some of the plants are labelled and you will find interpretive signs about the biodiversity\, fire ecology and soil of the area. The walk culminates at a viewing platform offering spectacular views across Lake Burley Griffin. Return is via the same path. \nEasy to medium on uneven ground\, a few stairs and short steep sections. There are some places to rest along the way. Distance: 3.2 km \nWhen:  Saturday 24 October\, 9.30 am \nWhere: Meet outside the Gardens Visitor Centre \nCost: $10 (All proceeds go towards projects in the Gardens) \nBookings essential: https://www.trybooking.com/DNRGK\nEnquiries: events@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/bushlandnaturewalk/
LOCATION:Visitor Centre\, Australian National Botanic Gardens\, Canberra\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Guided walk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Bush-Precinct-photo-small.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261029T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261029T133000
DTSTAMP:20260712T065231Z
CREATED:20260711T104317Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260712T065231Z
UID:10001510-1793277000-1793280600@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Jay Nicholson ‘Understanding the impacts of climate change on plants at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – a summary of my PhD working with Anangu’
DESCRIPTION:Jay will summarise his work on the interesting strategies desert plants use to overcome the complex and extreme environment that is the Australian desert. \nAbstract\nAfter widespread plant mortality at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 2019 associated with a record-breaking drought and heatwave\, Anangu (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara People) were concerned and wanted to know why plants were being impacted. Over the last three years of my PhD\, I have been working with Anangu researching why ecologically and culturally significant plants are dying during extreme heatwaves and drought. We conducted a range of field-based studies and glasshouse experiments to untangle the physiological drivers of plant death. Some of the plants we’ve worked on include the iconic mulga (Acacia aneura)\, desert oak (Allocasuarina decaisneana)\, and spinifex (Triodia pungens). \nBiography\nAfter working as a botanist in Kakadu National Park and Arnhem Land\, Jay wanted more of a scientific challenge\, so he decided to take on a PhD based at ANU working with Anangu and Parks Australia on desert plants. With the kind support of a Friends of ANBG Student Research Scholarship\, he has thrown himself into the project. He will share both the scientific and personal journeys he has been on in the last 3.5 years and give a summary of his work. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DNXHD \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/jay-nicholson-understanding-the-impacts-of-climate-change-on-plants-at-uluru-kata-tjuta-national-park-a-summary-of-my-phd-working-with-anangu/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Jay-Nicholson-with-weather-station.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261030T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261030T120000
DTSTAMP:20261011T021129Z
CREATED:20261011T021129Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261011T021129Z
UID:10001536-1793354400-1793361600@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Photographic Group October Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Group’s next meeting takes place on Friday 30 October. \nIt will feature a presentation by award winning bird photographer\, Richard Arculus who is President of the South Side Camera Club. Those of you who have seen Richard’s work will be keenly anticipating the opportunity to learn more about how he achieves such outstanding images. \nImportantly\, the meeting will also incorporate the Group’s Annual General Meeting at which members of the PG Committee will be selected.
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/photographic-group-october-meeting/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Meeting
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/White-browed-scrub-wren-Richard-Arculus-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends Photographic Group":MAILTO:photo@friendsanbg.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261105T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261129T163000
DTSTAMP:20261011T022041Z
CREATED:20261011T022041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261011T022041Z
UID:10001538-1793871000-1795969800@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Illuminate '26
DESCRIPTION:The Photographic Group’s annual exhibition Illuminate’26 opens to the public on Thursday 5 November and runs until Sunday 29 November. \nIt takes place in the ANBG Visitor Centre from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm daily \nAll PG members and their guests as well as Council members SIG Convenors and ANBG staff have been invited to the official opening. This will take place at the Visitors Centre at 4.30 for 5 pm on Wednesday 4 November. \nPrize awards will be announced\, including the selection of an image by the Friends for purchase and donation to the Gardens. The David Cox Memorial Flora Award\, the Fauna Award\, and the Rangers’ Choice Award will also be announced.
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/illuminate-26/
LOCATION:Visitor Centre Gallery\, Australian National Botanic Gardens\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PhotographicGroup1_0.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends Photographic Group":MAILTO:photo@friendsanbg.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261105T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261105T133000
DTSTAMP:20260712T064824Z
CREATED:20260711T104716Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260712T064824Z
UID:10001511-1793881800-1793885400@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Shelley Rowntree ‘From the herbarium to the genome: new discoveries in Australia's everlasting daisies’
DESCRIPTION:Shelley revealed surprising relationships in the complex tangle of Chrysocephalum species in her research. \nAbstract\nAustralia’s everlasting daisies are even more diverse than we thought. Using genetic data from herbarium specimens and freshly collected plants\, we are rewriting the family tree of Chrysocephalum\, revealing surprising relationships and bringing order to a complex tangle of subspecies. Combined with careful study of morphology\, this work aims to show the path forward to clear species boundaries and shed light on how closely related species interact where their ranges overlap. \nBiography\nPhD Candidate\, University of New England supported by FANBG \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DNXHE \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/shelley-rowntree-from-the-herbarium-to-the-genome-new-discoveries-in-australias-everlasting-daisies/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Rowntree-PC052221_small-e1751078221136.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261107T083000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261107T113000
DTSTAMP:20261025T031649Z
CREATED:20261025T031649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T031649Z
UID:10001542-1794040200-1794051000@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Black Mountain Weeding Work Party
DESCRIPTION:Our usual monthly work party on first Saturday of the month is planned to 7 November\, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for fine weather. Below are the details of that work party\, and the booking link. Please feel free to send these to your other friends and networks … \nWe are planning to continue the progress that has been made with removal of woody weeds at the Grasslands area to inhibit the presence of weeds in that area. \nDate: Saturday\, 7 November 2026\, 8:30am to 11.30am\nMeet:  Caswell Drive entry on the mountain side.      \nDrive from Belconnen Way southwards along Caswell Drive towards Glenloch Interchange\, Woden\, or Tuggeranong. Note the yellow diamond shape advisory sign showing the access road on the left (mountain side) and the blue and white “P” sign for parking. Pull into the carpark carefully.  Look for banners. \nWear:  Hat\, sunscreen\, long-sleeved shirt\, long pants\, gloves\, stout shoes. \nWe shall break for delicious morning tea at about 10:00am. \nPlease book: if you are planning to come\, please let us know by using this booking link:\nhttps://www.trybooking.com/DIFKLA \nThis helps us to let you know if arrangements need to change at the last minute (for example\, adverse weather conditions). \nLinda Beveridge\nFriends of Black Mountain
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/black-mountain-weeding-work-party-13/
LOCATION:Caswell Drive entry on the mountain side\, Caswell Drive\, Aranda\, ACT\, 2614\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Weeding
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/removing-burgan-weeds-2026-08-01-RPurdie.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends of Black Mountain":MAILTO:friendsofblackmountain@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261110T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261110T103000
DTSTAMP:20261025T053541Z
CREATED:20261024T044543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T053541Z
UID:10001541-1794303000-1794306600@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Native Plants for Friends
DESCRIPTION:In lieu of a Spring public sale this year\, Growing Friends are offering Friends a selection of plants during November. \nAll plants are sourced from within the Gardens and are $6 or more depending on the size of the pot. \nThe sales will take place outside the igloo on Tuesdays only while stocks last. \nA list of plants available is here.
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/native-plants-for-friends/
LOCATION:Growing Friends Shed\, below the Banksia Centre\, ANBG\, Clunies Ross Street\, Canberra City\, ACT\, 2600\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Plant Sale
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GrowingFriendsPlantSale1_360wide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261112T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261112T133000
DTSTAMP:20260712T065019Z
CREATED:20260711T105232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260712T065019Z
UID:10001512-1794486600-1794490200@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Anna Howe ‘36 Views of a mountain\, a tower and gardens’
DESCRIPTION:In this talk Anna compares photographs of Black Mountain and its tower to Hokusai’s 36 views of Mt Fuji and discusses how they might guide us to look at local scenes in different ways. \nAbstract\nThe Great Wave of Kanagawa is one of the most famous posters in the world. It is one of Hokusai’s thirty-six views of Mt Fuji. Less well known are Riviere’s thirty six views of the Eiffel Tower\, and even less known\, the thirty six views of the 17th century gardens of the Chinese emperor Kangshi. Here in Canberra\, we have a mountain\, a tower and gardens located together\, captured by many artists and photographers. How does looking at these three sets of historical views from Japan\, Paris and beyond the Great Wall near Beijing\, alongside comparable views of local scenes guide us to look at our mountain\, tower and gardens in different ways\, now and in the future? \nBiography\nAnna Howe brings her background in urban geography (BA Hons\, MA\, and PhD)\, her travels and her interests in gardening to bear on familiar scenes in Canberra.   Retiring in 2011 and returning to Canberra revived her interest in the unique urban character of the national capital.  She has explored this interest as an active member of the ACT National Trust\, the Australian Garden History Society and the Friends of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.  She is not a botanist or a horticulturalist; she is an aspiring photographer. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DNXHF \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/anna-howe-36-views-of-a-mountain-a-tower-and-gardens/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Galambary-Black-Mountain.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261119T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261119T133000
DTSTAMP:20260712T064955Z
CREATED:20260711T105522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260712T064955Z
UID:10001513-1795091400-1795095000@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Dr Karen Marsh ‘A koala’s guide to fine dining’
DESCRIPTION:Karen will talk about Koalas’ dietary habits and how they influence where they live. \nAbstract\nKoalas are famous for being fussy eaters\, but what makes one Eucalyptus leaf more appealing than another? In this talk\, Dr Karen Marsh will explore the hidden world of koala nutrition and food choice. Drawing on research into the feeding ecology of koalas\, she will explain how the nutritional quality of eucalypt leaves influences where koalas live\, what they eat\, and how they cope with landscape disturbance\, such as fire. The talk will reveal how understanding food quality can help scientists identify high-quality habitat and improve conservation strategies for one of Australia’s most iconic marsupials. \nBiography\nDr Karen Marsh is head of the Animal-Plant Interactions and Nutritional Ecology group at the Research School of Biology\, ANU. Her research predominantly focuses on the feeding ecology and nutritional physiology of possums\, gliders and koalas. This includes why captive koalas are picky eaters\, what defines high quality habitat\, and how hot weather affects food quality and diet selection. She is particularly interested in how nutritional knowledge can be used to inform the conservation of marsupials that eat eucalypt leaves and the management of their forest habitats. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DNXHH \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/dr-karen-marsh-a-koalas-guide-to-fine-dining/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Marsh_Koala.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261119T133000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261119T153000
DTSTAMP:20261014T224130Z
CREATED:20261014T224018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T224130Z
UID:10001540-1795095000-1795102200@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Plant Recognition Workshop: the amazingly diverse tribe Gnaphalieae
DESCRIPTION:At the next Plant Recognition Group workshop\, we will be learning about the tribe Gnaphalieae within the Asteraceae (daisy) family. This is a significant and diverse tribe which includes everlasting paper daisies such as Xerochrysum\, Coronidium and Rhodanthe; simple button daisies like Leptorhynchos; compound button daisies like Craspedia; as well as Cassinia and other genera. The availability of specimens will determine the focus for the workshop. \nThe workshop will be led by Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn\, Research Scientist with CSIRO\, who will provide an overview of the Gnaphalieae and show selected specimens. Binocular microscopes and other aids for identification will be available for the workshop. \nWhen: Thursday\, 19 November\, 1:30-3:30pm\, with extra time to practice if you wish\nWhere: Solander Studio\, Banksia Centre \nRSVP: Bookings are essential. Please send your name and phone number to plantname@friendsanbg.org.au. We will be able to accommodate a slightly larger group for this visit but need to know who will be attending. Please advise at least a day in advance if you need to cancel your booking\, so that a member on the waiting list can be offered the place.
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/plant-recognition-workshop-the-amazingly-diverse-tribe-gnaphalieae/
LOCATION:Solander Studio\, Banksia Centre\, ANBG\, ANBG Clunies Ross St\, Acton\, Australian Capital Territory\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Xerochrysum%20bracteatum%20360wide.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends Plant Recognition Group":MAILTO:plantname@friendsanbg.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261126T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20261126T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T095718Z
CREATED:20260711T105756Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T095718Z
UID:10001514-1795696200-1795699800@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Maurice Hermann ‘Success in propagating and growing Australian native plants’
DESCRIPTION:Maurice will coach us to success on propagating and caring for Australian native plants. \nAbstract\nMaurice will describe how the home gardener can successfully propagate Australian native plants\, without the need for a glasshouse or a ‘green thumb’. He will also give some tips on how to plant and care for native plants. \nBiography\nMaurice has been a keen gardener since he and his wife moved into their home in Kambah over 50 years ago. Battling droughts\, frosts\, some wet years and heavy clay soil\, Maurice now has a hardy garden of mainly native plants. Being naturally parsimonious\, many of the plants grown in his garden have been propagated by himself or bought as young tube stock from local propagators such as the Friends of the ANBG Growing Friends group. After retiring\, Maurice wanted to get more involved in gardening or environmental groups and was attracted to the Growing Friends group\, where he ended up being the group’s Convenor for eight years. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DNXHJ \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly. The booking link for each talk is on the https://friendsanbg.org.au/whats-on/calendar/ entry for the talk. Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au \n 
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/maurice-hermann-success-in-propagating-and-growing-australian-native-plants/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/202511_GrowingFriendsIgloo_360wide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270204T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270204T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T101345Z
CREATED:20261025T084247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T101345Z
UID:10001543-1801744200-1801747800@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Kingsley Dixon ‘A life in the service of plants’
DESCRIPTION:Kingsley has spent a lifetime unlocking the mysteries of the Australian bush and now calls on us to help our plants\, animals and landscapes to thrive and continue to define who we are as Australians. \nAbstract  \nSince I was a small child the Australian bush and its plants have been a boundless source of joy and inspiration. Whether walking alpine trails\, the Daintree rainforest\, Victoria grasslands or the Pilbara replete with landscapes of Sturt Peas\, each time I look into our bushland plants there is yet another mystery or question. How do they survive\, thrive and diversify into such myriads of forms and colours? This fascination with what makes the Australia bush tick has given me the greatest gift– a lifetime of fascinating science unlocking the mysteries and solving the ecological puzzle. I will share this journey from a kid in the bush of Perth to the story of smoke and germination to how now\, my beloved bush is all but a fragment of the once grand landscapes I loved and admired. In this last journey for one of the most unique floras of Earth\, I will call upon us all to pause\, reflect and help our plants\, animals and landscapes to thrive and continue to define who we are as Australians. \nBiography \nKingsley Dixon AO is Professor of Conservation and Restoration Sciences at The University of Western Australia after having 32 years as the Foundation Director of Science at Kings Park and Botanic Gardens. \nWorking across a broad front of ecological and conservation issues\, he continues to focus on unlocking the ecological mysteries of the Australian bush while using this to define and develop innovative approaches to conservation and restoration. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DRCGS \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/kingsley-dixon-a-life-in-the-service-of-plants/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Sturt-Desert-Pea.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270304T120000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270304T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T100943Z
CREATED:20261025T085940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T100943Z
UID:10001545-1804161600-1804167000@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Professor Tim Entwisle ‘Three Worlds Oak: The First Memoir of a Genus’
DESCRIPTION:A dying hybrid oak in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens sets off on a search for its parents\, and in doing so reveals the extraordinary diversity of the genus Quercus. There is far more to oaks than the familiar English tree. \nAbstract\nIn Tim Entwisle’s latest book\, Three Worlds Oak\, a dying hybrid oak in Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens sets off on a search for its parents\, and in doing so reveals the extraordinary diversity of the genus Quercus. From the Himalaya to Mexico\, from knee-high scrub to rainforest giants\, more than four hundred species of oak shape landscapes\, cultures and histories. Their leaves can blaze red and gold\, acorns can be the size of a hand\, and while only a few cross the equator to the south others survive in mountains to 4\,000 metres. Tim will illustrate his presentation with illustrations by his wife (and active AGHS member) Lynda Entwisle\, as well as photographs of oaks in their natural settings. Tim wants to remind us there is far more to oaks than the familiar English tree\, and to invite us to look anew at some of the world’s most beloved plants. \nBiography\nProfessor Tim Entwisle was Chief Executive of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria for ten years\, two years in a senior role at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew in London\, and eight as head of Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust in Sydney. He is currently Chair of the Harbour Trust in Sydney and an Acting Commissioner with the Land and Environment Court of NSW. Tim has a broad interest in algae\, plants and public gardens\, contributing regularly to Australian radio\, print and social media. His memoir Evergreen: the Botanical Life of a Plant Punk was published by Thames & Hudson in 2022\, and a collection of essays\, The Sceptical Botanist\, by CSIRO Publishing in August 2025. Three Worlds Oak was published by Reaktion Books in the UK in September 2026\, and available in Australia later in 2026. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DRCHC \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/professor-tim-entwisle-three-worlds-oak-the-first-memoir-of-a-genus/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Narrator-of-Tims-story.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270311T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270311T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T100910Z
CREATED:20261025T091145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T100910Z
UID:10001548-1804768200-1804771800@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Dr Bruno Ferronato ‘Cultural turtles: experiences from Peru and Australia’
DESCRIPTION:Bruno will tell us about his work in a turtle project with Ashaninka Indigenous people in Peru. He’ll also share what he’s learned about Australian turtles\, turtle rock art motifs and turtle remains. \nAbstract \nBruno will give a talk on his experiences working in a turtle project with Ashaninka Indigenous people in Peru. He will also share his learnings on a literature review study on Australian turtles\, turtle rock art motifs and turtle remains in archaeological sites. \nBiography \nBruno Ferronato (PhD) is an ecologist and turtle specialist\, who works at the Ginninderra Catchment Group. He runs TurtleWatch ACT\, which monitors turtles in Canberra with the help of volunteers. Bruno is originally from Brazil and has been involved in turtle research since 2004\, working in Brazil\, Peru\, USA and Australia. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DRCHE \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/dr-bruno-ferronato-cultural-turtles-experiences-from-peru-and-australia/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Turtles-in-Peru.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270408T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270408T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T100651Z
CREATED:20261025T093626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T100651Z
UID:10001552-1807187400-1807191000@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Kushini Kalupahana ‘The mimic and the fool: A tiny bird’s use of vocal mimicry as an antipredation strategy’
DESCRIPTION:Vocal mimicry occurs in nearly 20% of songbird species\, yet the constraints on mimetic accuracy and its consequences for function remain poorly understood\, particularly in alarm calling and predator deterrence contexts. \nAbstract \nKushini’s research focuses on the brown thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)\, a native Australian songbird that mimics the alarm calls of several other bird species to deter nest predators such as pied currawongs (Strepera graculina)\, deceiving them into thinking that an aerial threat\, such as a hawk\, is nearby. She investigated how physical constraints affect mimetic capabilities in these tiny birds by examining how differences in body size between thornbills and the species they mimic\, and among thornbills themselves\, relate to mimetic precision through comparative trait analyses. To examine how variations in mimetic accuracy influences predator responses\, she conducted playback experiments on pied currawongs using mimetic alarm calls of differing accuracy\, recorded from brown thornbills at the same study site\, and quantified their vigilance responses and feeding behaviour. Together\, these approaches ask whether a mimic needs to be perfectly accurate for its alarm calls to work\, and how receivers balance the costs of responding to a false alarm against the costs of ignoring a genuine one. She expects this work will advance our understanding of how vocal mimicry is maintained across a broad range of acoustic accuracy\, with broader implications for predator-prey interactions and adaptive survival strategies in small birds. \nBiography \nKushini Kalupahana is a third-year PhD candidate at the Research School of Biology\, Australian National University. Her research investigates vocal mimicry and its functions in the brown thornbill\, a native Australian songbird. She conducts her fieldwork at the Australian National Botanic Gardens\, home to a population of about 150 brown thornbills\, most of which are banded as part of this study. She monitors these birds\, records their mimicry\, and conducts playback experiments with pied currawongs\, one of the main nest predators of this thornbill population. \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DRCHJ \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au \n 
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/kushini-kalupahana-the-mimic-and-the-fool-a-tiny-birds-use-of-vocal-mimicry-as-an-antipredation-strategy/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Kushini-with-a-Brown-Thornbill.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270415T123000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20270415T133000
DTSTAMP:20261025T100623Z
CREATED:20261025T094315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T100623Z
UID:10001553-1807792200-1807795800@friendsanbg.org.au
SUMMARY:Kim Pullen ‘Our local ants: big in numbers and big in diversity’
DESCRIPTION:Abstract \nKim will talk about ants\, and their habitats and relationships with other insects in the Australian National Botanic Gardens\, Black Mountain Reserve and surrounding areas. \nBiography \nKim grew up in Canberra and inherited an interest in nature\, and particularly insects\, from his father who was a professional botanist (and a boyhood butterfly and beetle collector). On leaving school he worked first at the ANU\, and later at CSIRO\, assisting with research in grasshopper genetics\, pheromone-based control of insect pests\, and insect-based biological control of imported weeds. Kim then spent six years in Mexico collecting and evaluating weed biocontrol agents for exportation to Australia – as well as teaching English – before returning to Canberra with a family. He eventually came back to CSIRO to assist with faunal studies in South Australian mallee and subsequently on Murray River floodplains\, and prepare a taxonomic inventory of Australian weevils\, among other projects. \nAfter retirement\, a CSIRO Honorary Fellowship allowing access to the Australian National Insect Collection\, helped Kim carry out a long-running ambition to compile a catalogue of the insects of the ACT. He now enjoys identifying insects for the general public on citizen science platforms and on social media (when their grandchildren allow it). \nBooking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DRCHK \n  \nOne-hour talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. We welcome donations by gold coins\, notes\, or electronically. The Friends use donations to support Gardens’ programs and development and thank all those who have donated. \nPlease note: unless otherwise indicated\, talks are in the ANBG Theatrette. \nIt is a good idea to reserve a seat at the talks that you wish to attend; several talks are booked out very quickly.  Bookings can be made about 30 days in advance until Wednesday night before the talk. \nThe Friends of the ANBG thank the speakers who volunteer their time and talents to further the knowledge of all attending events in the Gardens. Some summaries or PowerPoint presentations of Thursday talks are available to Friends at the ANBG Library. Please direct queries about the talks to the Thursday Talks Team: email talks@friendsanbg.org.au
URL:https://friendsanbg.org.au/event/kim-pullen-our-local-ants-big-in-numbers-and-big-in-diversity/
LOCATION:ANBG Theatrette\, Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601\, Canberra\, ACT\, 2601\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Thursday Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://friendsanbg.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Golden-flumed-sugar-ants.jpg
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