Newsletter May 2025

Flower of the Month

Corcus

By Bibi

Corcus (Crocus spp.)

During a recent visit to Vancouver, Bibi was captivated by the carpets of cheerful crocuses heralding the arrival of spring. Their bright purples, yellows, and whites brought a sense of hope and renewal — reminding us that “there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

Crocuses are among the first flowers to bloom after a long winter in the Northern Hemisphere, often poking their delicate heads through the last patches of snow. Though their stems are quite short and not ideal as traditional cut flowers for vases, they create breathtaking displays when planted en masse in gardens or pots.

Fun fact:

The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus) produces the world’s most expensive spice — saffron! Each flower yields only three red stigmas, which must be hand-picked and carefully dried. It takes around 75,000 crocus flowers to produce just one pound of saffron!

Inspired by these vibrant blooms, CFS considered introducing an “exotic flower” project to explore crocus cultivation here in Australia. However, crocus bulbs (technically called “corms”) are generally only available for purchase between November and March, with planting best done in late autumn after a period of refrigeration to mimic winter dormancy. Unfortunately, all the major nurseries in Australia, such as Garden Express, Diggers Club, and Mr Fothergill’s, have currently sold out for the season.

Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful project to keep in mind for the future! With some planning ahead, crocuses can thrive even in Sydney’s milder climate, especially when grown in pots. A brief “chill” in the fridge for 6–8 weeks before planting in well-drained soil and positioning in a sunny spot can help trigger blooming. Care must be taken not to overwater, as the corms are prone to rot in soggy soil.

In the meantime, we celebrate the crocus as a symbol of resilience and hope — a tiny yet powerful reminder that even after the darkest winter, beauty will bloom once again.

Watch this YouTube clip to admire Sarah’s favourite crocus varieties:

“You really turn winter into spring, and that for me is such an important moment. Like the clock’s changing crocuses are a marker that year the growth.”

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

Plant of the Month

Heather

by Bibi

Heather

Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is a hardy, evergreen shrub that thrives in acidic, well-drained soils and is typically found in heathlands and moorlands. It is a low-maintenance plant that adds colour and texture to gardens, especially in late summer and autumn when it blooms with vibrant pink, purple, or white flowers.

Heather flowers are small but striking, with delicate petals that come in a range of colours, including shades of pink, purple, white, and sometimes red. The individual petals are quite tiny, typically measuring just a few millimetres in length, and are bell-shaped, giving the flowers a compact, tubular appearance. Each flower has four petals, which overlap slightly at the edges, forming a neat, star-like structure.

The petals’ colours can vary depending on the variety, with some having deep violet or magenta hues, while others are soft, pastel pinks or whites. The petals of Heather flowers are often tinged with a lighter or darker shade at the edges, adding dimension and subtle contrast to the blooms. The overall effect is a cluster of small, vibrant blossoms that create a dense, beautiful carpet of color when viewed in larger groups.

Heather Care Instructions and Fun Facts

Care Instructions:

1. Light Requirements: Heather thrives in full sun to partial shade. It does best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, though it can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter climates.
2. Soil: Preferring acidic soil (pH 4.5 to 5.5), Heather will struggle in alkaline conditions. Amending the soil with peat moss or compost can help maintain the desired pH level.
3. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging. A well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. Water the plant deeply, especially during dry spells, but let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
4. Pruning: Light pruning after the bloom season helps keep Heather compact and encourages fresh growth. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can damage the plant’s woody stems. Trim spent flowers to prevent the plant from becoming leggy.
5. Winter Care: Heather is generally hardy and can withstand cold winters, but in very frosty areas, applying a layer of mulch around the base can protect the roots.

Fun Facts:

• Heather is often associated with Scottish landscapes and is the national flower of Scotland.
• The plant’s flowers are rich in nectar, making it attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
• Heather is used in traditional herbal remedies, believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and was historically used to treat coughs and colds.
• In folklore, Heather is thought to bring good luck and is often used in weddings to symbolize good health and prosperity.

Book Review

By Wing C

Boy Swallow Universe

By Trent Dalton  

Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton is a raw, beautifully written coming-of-age novel that explores themes of love, redemption, and resilience. Set in 1980s Brisbane, the story follows Eli Bell, a young boy navigating a complicated world of crime, family struggles, and personal dreams.

It took me a little while to get into the plot during the first half of the book. The narrative begins at a slow pace, weaving between Eli’s childhood experiences and his observations of a world filled with both wonder and darkness. However, once the story gains momentum, the second half becomes absolutely gripping—a true page-turner that I couldn’t put down. The twists, suspense, and emotional depth made the latter chapters particularly compelling.

A standout character in the novel is Slim Halliday, a notorious real-life figure and convicted prison escapee, whom Eli calls his best friend. Slim becomes an unlikely mentor to Eli, offering him life lessons shaped by his own troubled past. His tough love, wisdom, and belief in Eli’s potential provide the young protagonist with a moral compass amid the chaos. Slim’s influence on Eli is profound; he teaches him about courage, loyalty, and the possibility of redemption, shaping Eli’s path toward hope and self-belief.

What makes Boy Swallows Universe stand out is Dalton’s lyrical prose and the way he balances gritty realism with hope. The characters, especially Eli, his mute brother August, and Slim, are richly drawn, and their bonds are heartwarming. The novel’s emotional impact is heightened when you discover that it is partly based on the author’s real-life experiences. This personal connection adds authenticity and vulnerability to the storytelling.

It’s easy to see why Boy Swallows Universe has won so many literary prizes. Dalton’s debut is both poignant and uplifting, offering readers a unique perspective on hardship and the power of human connection. The novel lingers in your thoughts long after you’ve turned the final page.

Recipe of the Month

ANZAC Biscuits

by Harry C.

Ingredients:
1 cup plain flour (all purpose flour), 1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened 3/4 cup white sugar (preferably caster),
150g /5oz unsalted butter 4 tbsp golden syrup (see Notes), 1 tsp baking soda (bicarbonate soda)

Methods:

Preheat oven to 180°C or 350°F (160°C fan forced). Line two baking trays with baking paper. Mix flour, oats, coconut and sugar in a bowl. Place butter and golden syrup in a saucepan over medium high heat and stir until butter has melted.

Add baking soda and stir to combine – it will fizz up. This is normal. Immediately remove from heat. Pour butter mixture into flour and mix until just combined. Roll one tablespoon mixture into balls, flatten into patties. Place balls 2.5cm apart on prepared trays. Bake for 15 minutes, swapping trays halfway during cooking, or until deep golden (bake 12 minutes for chewy biscuits). Stand on trays for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe notes: Golden syrup-amber coloured sweet syrup primarily used for baking purposes in Australia and in the UK has a caramel-like flavour. Best substitutes: 1 tbsp light molasses, 3 tbsp honey.

From the Desk of Bibi

The Happiest Countries

By Dr Bibiana Chan

Finland has been voted the happiest country in the world for eight consecutive years (Forbes, 2025). This got me thinking about a question I first asked as a 12-year-old starting high school in Hong Kong: What is happiness? What makes you happy? Even at that young age, I was drawn to these philosophical questions, perhaps because deep inside, I wasn’t a happy child. I longed for a shortcut to happiness.

Half a century later, I believe I’ve found joy and contentment—two distinct but deeply connected states. Joy is a positive emotion, a spark that lifts us up in moments of delight. Contentment, on the other hand, is a steady state of being, where we find peace with our circumstances, whether they bring positive or negative emotions. For me, faith in God and running a charity that gives my life meaning have been the foundation of both.

But what makes Finland so consistently happy as a nation? Here are five key aspects:

1. Embrace Simplicity

In a world obsessed with consumerism, minimalism offers a refreshing perspective. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, pioneers of the minimalist movement, once realized that material success—big houses, luxury cars—didn’t bring them happiness. Instead, it led to stress and dissatisfaction (Forbes, 2017).

I learned this lesson firsthand while hiking in New Zealand’s South Island, carrying just an 8kg backpack—the most my 50kg frame could comfortably handle. That experience shaped how I travel, even for long trips. On my recent 2.5-week family reunion in Canada, I packed just 12kg in a small suitcase, far below my 23kg allowance.

2. Build Trust in Your Community

Finland is known for its high levels of trust—people trust their institutions, their neighbours, even strangers. Children walk to school alone, and unattended strollers outside cafes are a common sight. But trust is fragile. The rise of fake news and scams erodes community trust, making it harder for people to feel safe and connected.

I was reminded of this at a Harmony Week Pop-up Stall when a passerby asked if she could take a rose and follow CFS on social media later when she got her phone. I trusted her—and she kept her promise, even purchasing plants from our stall. However, I also had a less positive experience when I gave someone a $25 plant as a Mother’s Day gift on the condition that she would transfer the payment later. The money never arrived.

Did she forget? Was it intentional? I chose to count it as part of CFS’s Petal-it-Forward campaign, hoping her mother-in-law enjoyed the gift. Yet, these small moments illustrate a larger reality: trust is a two-way street. When it’s broken, even in small ways, it chips away at our collective well-being.

Continue reading HERE.

Subscriber’s Corner

Finding Light Through Art: Yayoi Kusama’s World

By Teresa L

A glimpse into Yayoi Kusama’s world, where art turns struggle into infinite beauty (photo credits: Teresa L.).

Over Easter, I had the chance to visit the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria. I was amazed by her art and deeply moved by her life story. Born on 22 March 1929 in Japan, Yayoi Kusama is recognised as the world’s top-selling female artist and the most successful living artist. Yet, monetary success has never been her driving force. Kusama has openly said she wants to be famous—not for fame’s sake, but so people can immerse themselves in her art and understand her journey with mental health.

Her childhood on a pumpkin farm was far from nurturing. Her mother disapproved of her creativity, was physically abusive, and even instructed young Kusama to spy on her father’s infidelities. Kusama later shared, “I don’t like sex. I had an obsession with sex. When I was a child, my father had lovers, and I experienced seeing him. My mother sent me to spy on him. I didn’t want to have sex with anyone for years.” Her early life, filled with trauma, shaped much of her emotional landscape.

At ten, Kusama began experiencing vivid hallucinations: flashes of light, fields of dots, and talking flowers. Fabrics would come alive, patterns multiplying until they engulfed her—a sensation she would later channel into her art, calling it “self-obliteration.”

During her studies at the Kyoto Municipal School of Arts and Crafts, Kusama grew frustrated with traditional Japanese styles and became increasingly drawn to the avant-garde movements of Europe and America. By the 1950s, polka dots had become her signature. She described them as “a form of the sun, symbolising energy, and the moon, symbolising calm… Polka dots are a way to infinity.”

In 1958, Kusama moved to the United States at 27. I found her courage as an Asian woman setting out to find her place in a foreign land over 60 years ago incredibly inspiring. Immersed in the pop art scene and the 1960s counterculture, she created daring works—famously painting naked bodies with polka dots in the heart of New York City. Continue reading HERE.