The latest issue of the Australian Association of Friends of Botanic Gardens Eucalypt newsletter has just been released. It's a cornucopia of good reading and also provides information on their annual conference to be held next April in Bateman's Bay. Roll up! Roll up! Read all about it - see below!

The National Arboretum Canberra is pleased to invite Friends to an action-packed evening! * Launch of the next edition of The Arboretum Book * Presentation of the Jake Keller Scholarship; and * Volunteer of the Year plus Sterling Service Recognition Awards. NB RVSP by 6 December as there are capacity limits. See below for further details!

Recognition/Appreciation Awards are a vital aspect of volunteering at the Arboretum. We want to thank our volunteers for their valuable contributions for the benefit of the Arboretum. Recognition awards help raise community awareness about the great work and passion our volunteers have for the Arboretum. Friends and the National Arboretum Canberra are now seeking nominations for their annual VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR and STERLING SERVICE Awards. Nominations should be forwarded by Monday 29 November and the Awards will be presented at the joint Friends & NAC End-Of-Year event on Monday 13 December.

There are more beautiful native flowers on show at STEP now! Just look at the colours - white, pink, orange, yellow. Come on over and enjoy them yourself!

Saturday, 4 December, will see the return of our fun and festive Market Stall! 10.00am - 2.00pm. It will be a big Stall … it will be a Christmas Stall. Everyone will still be keen, post-lockdown, to get out and about and buy some gifts for Christmas so it is a great opportunity for gift shopping in the fresh air and wonderful views!

The Friends 2022 Calendar is now available from our online shop. Beautiful colour images each month of your favourite Arboretum places. They make great gifts, whether for birthdays, Christmas, New Year, or 'good to see you again after lockdown'!

The AFFM publishes a biannual Review with articles from lively museums around Canberra and the country.

The Arboretufm is the perfect outdoor site to get the family outdoors during the school holidays and beyond. Or catch up with friends! Ginger Catering now offers hampers for breakfast, morning tea, lunch and afternoon nibbles! And their Coffee Cart will be open Friday to Sunday from 9am - 2pm. Hooray!

Please find below the Guides Report to Friends which forms part of the documents tabled at our 11 May 2021 Annual General Meeting.

Attached is a brochure on WeedScan, a project of the CSIRO, the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Given that as many as 80% of invasive weeds in Australia are escapees from gardens (since first settlement), the Garden Clubs of Australia (with whom Friends are affiliated) is encouraging all affiliate members to participate. We would encourage as many of you to become involved. Collectively, there is hope that more than 1 million photographs of weeds across Australia will be assembled, which will make identification, mapping and eradication so much easier. See below for the brochure.