Recent Events

Avian brood parasites are birds that must lay their eggs in the nests of other species in order to reproduce. There are around 100 species of obligate brood parasites in the world and hundreds of hosts, hence, brood parasitism is a very ubiquitous interaction for birds. The coevolution between brood parasites and their hosts has led to the evolution of complex defences in hosts and many different tricks in brood parasites to parasitise their victims.

Genetics guiding ecological offset work: the example of Rutidosis lanata

Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn, Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research

Resource development projects often involve ecological offset work, meaning that new populations of rare or threatened plants are created to offset those that are affected by the development. To produce long-term viable offset populations, it is crucial to have a good understanding of the biology of the managed species, but little is still known about many native Australian species. Alexander will talk about recently finished work on the southern Queensland endemic Rutidosis lanata, a perennial button daisy. The project examined its breeding system and genetics to produce science-based guidelines for seed sourcing to maximise the reproductive success of newly-created populations.

Sponsored by Icon Water and the Friends of the Gardens.

Family Frolic

Tonight's performers are Mr Tim and the Fuzzy Elbows (Children's Rock) and Pablo's 3D Stunt Show.

Concerts are on the Eucalypt Lawn at the Gardens in Clunies Ross Street, Acton, on the lower slopes of Black Mountain. All concerts start at 5.30 pm and finish at 7.30. Bring a picnic or enjoy food and drinks for sale on site. Entry $5 adults, $2 concession, children 12 years and under free.

Tim Fischer, Vice-Chair of the Global Crop Diversity Trust since 2012 (with overview of the seed vault in North Norway), will link the acorns of Gallipoli, sent by Monash to his wife, with the philosophy of seed-banking today.

Tim Fischer was born at Lockhart in 1946, was educated at Xavier College in Melbourne and was conscripted into the Australian Army in 1966 and served in The Vietnam War.

He entered Politics in 1971 and became Deputy Prime Minister in 1996, Ambassador to the Holy See in 2008 and is now a successful book author. His other interests are notably family, farming, charity work and biking and bush walking in Bhutan.