Newsletter April 2025

Flower of the Month

Lily of the Valley

By Bibi

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis): A Delicate and Fragrant Bloom. It is a perennial flowering plant known for its delicate, bell-shaped white flowers and sweet fragrance. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, it thrives in shaded woodlands and spreads through underground rhizomes, forming lush ground cover. Despite its charming appearance, all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, making it important to handle with care, especially around pets and children.

Care Instructions

Lily of the Valley is a hardy and low-maintenance plant that prefers cool, shaded environments. It thrives in moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. While it can tolerate partial sun, excessive heat and direct sunlight may hinder its growth. Regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. In colder climates, it remains dormant in winter and reemerges in spring. It can be propagated by dividing the rhizomes in early autumn or spring, making it an excellent plant for naturalizing shaded gardens.

Fun Facts

• Lily of the Valley is the birth flower for May and is associated with springtime renewal.
• The flowers produce small, bright red berries after blooming, which are toxic.
• It is a favorite in royal weddings—Princess Grace of Monaco and Catherine, Princess of Wales, both included it in their bridal bouquets.
• Its fragrance is widely used in perfumes, with Dior’s famous “Diorissimo” being inspired by this flower.

Symbolic Meanings

Lily of the Valley carries rich symbolism across different cultures. It represents purity, humility, and the return of happiness, making it a popular choice for weddings and celebrations. In Christian traditions, it is sometimes called “Our Lady’s Tears,” as it is believed to have sprung from the Virgin Mary’s weeping. In folklore, it is associated with good luck and protection, and in Victorian floriography, it conveys messages of sweetness and renewed happiness.

With its timeless beauty and enchanting scent, Lily of the Valley continues to be a cherished flower, bringing elegance and symbolism to gardens and bouquets alike.

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Plant of the Month

Calathea

by Bibi

Calathea’s scientific name is Calathea spp. It belongs to the Marantaceae (Prayer Plant family) It is native to tropical rainforests of South America, particularly Brazil.

• Growth Habit: Evergreen perennial with broad, decorative leaves.
• Common Names: Peacock Plant, Zebra Plant, Cathedral Plant, and Prayer Plant (often confused with Maranta, a close relative).

Care Tips:

• Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Use filtered or distilled water to prevent leaf browning from tap water chemicals.
• Humidity: Thrives in high humidity (above 50%). Misting, a pebble tray, or a humidifier can help.
• Temperature: Ideal range is 18-27°C (65-80°F). Protect from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
• Soil: Well-draining, peat-based soil mix with good aeration.
• Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a diluted balanced fertilizer. Reduce feeding in fall and winter.
• Pruning: Trim dead or yellowing leaves to encourage healthy growth.
• Repotting: Every 1-2 years or when roots outgrow the pot.

Fun Facts:

• “Prayer Plant” Movement: Calatheas raise and lower their leaves in response to light, a process called nyctinasty.
• Air-Purifying Benefits: Helps improve indoor air quality by filtering toxins.
• Pet-Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a great choice for pet owners.
• Diverse Varieties: Includes species with stunning patterns like Calathea Orbifolia, Calathea Medallion, and Calathea Makoyana (Peacock Plant).
• Cultural Symbolism: In some cultures, Calathea symbolizes new beginnings and resilience due to its leaf movements.

Be surprised, these beautiful indoor plants bear flowers (check out 1:31, 5:05 and 5:30 min. of this clip)!

For a limited time only, ‘Pregnant Onion’ is available for sale at the CFS Flower Shop.

Recipe of the Month

Zucchini & Lemon Sponge Cade By Wing C

A light, fluffy cake with a fresh citrus twist–perfect for tea or coffee time!

Ingredients:

1 medium zucchini, grated (well drained)

1 cup almond meal or oat flour

Zest of 1 lemon

3 eggs

2-3 tbsp crushed dates (for sweetness)

1 tsp baking powder (optional for extra fluffiness)

1 pinch salt

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350F) and grease a baking pan. Beat the eggs with the crushed dates until light and airy. Mix in the zucchini & lemon zest, ensuring the zucchini is well drained to avoid excess moisture. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt gradually stirring until smooth. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool & enjoy before unmoulding. This cake is light, fluffy, and bursting with citrus flavour!

Book Review

by Kim Wilkin

Redhead by the Side of the Road

by Anne Tyler

Many people consider this author one of the greatest living American novelists. During her illustrious career (she is now 83) she has published 25 novels, won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction and won and been nominated for too may awards to mention. She is also a short story writer and literary critic.

This is a short novel about a fairly ordinary man, Micah, a tech expert and super organised person whose life is thrown into disorder when a son of an ex girlfriend shows up and at the same time his current girlfriend has problems. It is often very humorous but with well told
messages about life and relationships. Rarely can we see life so accurately told through the eyes of the main character. The title refers to a fire hydrant which Micah sees on his morning run, and imagines that it is a redheaded woman. His driving is restrained by an imaginary “traffic god” who always admires his perfect driving.

This is a beautifully written novel where we are immersed in Micah’s world. It is only about 190 pages and is an easy read. It was published in 2020. There are few authors who can explore a character and entertain as much as this author. Everyone interested in modern literature should read at least one of her works.

From the Desk of Bibi

Shifting the Paradigm: From Chronic Disease Care to Ongoing Health Management

By Dr Bibiana Chan

Reflections from the Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative Forum

With less than 48 hours before flying to Canada for a family reunion, I found myself at a thought-provoking forum hosted by the Northern Sydney Wellbeing Collaborative. Despite my upcoming trip, I couldn’t resist attending—especially when the focus was on a topic close to my heart: shifting the conversation from chronic disease management to ongoing health management.

It was encouraging to see a diverse panel—specialists, doctors, nurses, peer workers, and health policy strategists—emphasize the need for community voices (Ground Zero) in designing this new paradigm. After nearly six years of working at the grassroots level and founding a community-based mental health promotion organization, I finally felt that the clinical world and I were on the same page.

The Patient’s Role: Power Dynamics in Healthcare

As the last attendee to raise a question at the forum, I shared a perspective that resonated with many. Several fellow attendees came up afterward to support my voice. My question to the expert panel was:

“Many of you spoke about multidisciplinary care teams. How do you see the patient fitting into this team? Would the patient be considered part of the care team?”

I also emphasized that empowering patients is particularly important for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities. Cultural knowledge can feed back into health programs, allowing patients to become contributing members of the care team.

What I didn’t get to share was that back in 2010, I was the lead author of a policy paper on multidisciplinary teamwork in chronic disease management. In that paper, I argued that the patient should be placed at the centre of the team and respected as a valuable member.

Patient empowerment, I believe, is far more powerful than many clinical teams might imagine.

A Personal Example: Challenging the Narrative

I recall a mental health conference where a speaker—most likely a psychiatrist—claimed that if a patient had two or more relapses, they would need to take antidepressants for life. This assertion struck a chord with me because I have personally experienced three severe relapses. Yet, I have been antidepressant-free for nearly four years.

How? I chose to take charge of my mental health. I practice laughter yoga and lead a laughter yoga group at a community center to reach out to senior members of the Chinese community. The laughter yoga sessions themselves, combined with the meaningful work of training others, have helped me wean off antidepressants. This experience underscores how patient activation, cultural knowledge, and community engagement can empower individuals to break free from dependency narratives often perpetuated by the healthcare system.

Funding Models: The Systemic Barrier

Beyond power dynamics, funding structures play a pivotal role. The forum touched on a critical challenge: Australia’s Medicare system. Under the current model, General Practitioners (GPs) are restricted to charging Medicare by available items. From my time in primary healthcare research, I recall that GPs often wouldn’t call a patient’s psychologist or allied health professional because there was no Medicare item to compensate them for that time.

In contrast, the UK and Canada have adopted more flexible funding models. Family doctors in these countries receive annual lump-sum rebates per registered patient, incentivizing them to provide holistic and coordinated care. These models recognize that multidisciplinary care requires time and collaboration—elements not easily broken into Medicare billing items. Continue reading HERE.

You can watch the speech of each of the panelists on YouTube, click HERE.

Subscriber’s Corner

My Experience at the Harmony Week FAME Workshop for seniors.

By Janet L

Attending the Harmony Week Floral Arrangements Made Easy (FAME) workshop was a fantastic experience. It was a wonderfully multicultural gathering, with participants from Australian, Chinese, Dutch/South African, Irish, and Japanese backgrounds. Everyone was so friendly and supportive, which made the workshop even more enjoyable.

Under the guidance of our talented facilitator, Dr. Bibi, I learned two floral arrangement techniques: the straight stem method and the spiral method. By the end of the two-hour session, I was thrilled to take home two beautiful bouquets that I had arranged myself.

It was a truly special event that brought people together through creativity and cultural exchange. I’m so grateful to have been a part of it!

Another CFS Journey by a young member

Tracy, a CFS member originally from overseas who completed her tertiary education in Australia, faced challenges finding employment in her field despite holding two degrees. She first engaged with our free mentoring program in June 2023, meeting regularly with Dr. Chan both in person and via video conferencing.

To enhance her confidence in conversational English, Tracy was connected with a ‘Toastmasters’ trainer. Additionally, CFS’s marketing consultant provided valuable guidance on navigating the Australian job market. Tracy’s passion for floral arrangement and her creativity were evident, and Dr. Chan mentored her to become a co-facilitator for several creative workshops. Her attention to detail and artistic talent became a valuable asset to CFS, as she contributed by designing posters for key events such as the Career Development Workshop and the Lunar New Year Family Fun Fair.
Tracy’s mental health improved significantly, and she successfully secured a job in retail. While not her ideal role, it served as an important stepping stone into the Australian workforce. Dr. Chan continued to invite Tracy to attend networking events hosted by the Social Enterprise Council and Willoughby City Council. Through these experiences, Tracy gained clarity on her career direction and grew more confident in sharing her ideas with managers. She is now focused on pursuing opportunities that align with her creative talents, aiming for roles in management.
Note: Tracy is a pseudonym.

Spring Blooms from Vancouver – Sarina K.

More Spring Blooms by Clement from Vancouver. “Spring returns to the earth, and my garden brings subtle hints of the joy of life. The flowers bloom eagerly at every moment, anticipating the arrival of summer.” 🌸🌿

春回大地，我的花园帶來了生命喜悦的暗示，花兒每一刻都在搶先盛放，等待夏天的來臨。

Silicone Mould Making Workshop

Volunteer Induction Training