Our LOGO through the times

From 1954 onwards, a column "Know Your Natives" was written by Arther Swaby in the magazine "Your Garden".
In April 1956, he published his ideas of forming a "Growers of Australian Society". The response was most encouraging, resulting in the inaugural meeting - held in Melbourne's Horticultural Hall in Victoria St. on March 12, 1957.
This meeting formed "The Society for Growing Australian Plants".
Growing rapidly, District groups soon formed. Those of the Eastern Suburbs included Waverley, Mountain District North-Eastern (later Yarra Yarra) Nunawading and Croydon.
Members of both of these groups were enthusiastically propagating from both seed and cutting any Australian plant they could get hold of.
Ted Rotheram was having success with indigenous such as Baeckea ramosissima and Acacia genistifolia (as diffusa) while Albert Holland had 16 Acacia species and 13 Eucalypt species thriving.
Mr. Fred Rogers was President of S.G.A.P Victoria and he could see that there was room for a new, vigorous group in the Ringwood area. He thought about the idea for about 12 months, having in the meantime several discussions with Mr. Lawrence and Mr Luke on this subject. Eventually, having carefully prepared the way, Fred called a meeting for March 1966 to be held at the Rogers' home at 108 Wantirna Rd. Ringwood. The response in Fred's understated words, was "far greater than expected". No fewer than 60 attended that meeting and there were many apologies.
So, it isn't hard to imagine with what enthusiasm office bearers were elected, a committee formed to draw up a programme and a name given.
It was Peg McAllister's suggestion of "Maroondah" which was chosen.

It was announced, in the June 1966 S.G.A.P. Victoria Newsletter that the Eastern Suburbs Group had been re-named "Maroondah Group", but in actual fact, Maroondah was a new group and Eastern Suburbs ceased to exist, the remaining enthusiasts of this group having joined in the activities of the newly formed Group.
With a $25 inauguration gift from S.G.A.P. Victorian Region, and with membership fees of 50 cents per member, the new group was financial. The first Treasurer/Secretary Jack McAllister, opened a bank account on the 15th June, 1966 at the State Bank, Mitcham.
Funds, however, were not easily come by and any projects depended on voluntary labour and donations of plants and money. The universal problem of over-due subs. was as evident in the early days as it is now. Records show that of the 62 members in 1968/69 only 35 were financial. Maroondah Group could certainly not afford to pay rent for a public hall and so depended on the generosity of people who were willing to offer their homes for meetings.
Some of the early venues were the homes of the Rogers, McAllister, Wallbridge, Matthews, King, Herry and Holland families. The foundations were firmly laid.




more to come...


Group attending the 21st Celebrations at Yarren Dheran on 22nd March 1987.