Newsletter Nov 2024

Flower of the Month

Stirlingia

By Bibi

Stirlingia, commonly known as Blueboy, is a striking Australian native flower that belongs to the Proteaceae family. This hardy plant thrives in well-drained, sandy soils and is typically found in Western Australia. To care for Stirlingia cut flowers, keep them in a cool environment and avoid direct sunlight.

Upon receiving your bouquet, trim the stems at a slight angle to allow for better water absorption. Place the flowers in a clean vase with fresh water, ensuring to change the water every 2-3 days to keep bacteria at bay. Stirlingia flowers tend to last quite a while, often up to two weeks, with proper care.

When growing Stirlingia in the garden, ensure it is planted in a sunny spot with sandy or well-drained soil, as this mimics its natural habitat. Water moderately but avoid overwatering, as it is drought-tolerant once established. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain its shape and encourage healthy growth.

Fun Fact about Stirlingia

Stirlingia is also known by its whimsical name, ‘Blueboy‘ due to the blue-grey tinge of its unique blooms. The plant was named after Sir James Stirling, the first Governor of Western Australia, reflecting its deep connection to the region. Its delicate, pom-pom-like flowers grow on long stems, making it an ideal choice for native floral arrangements.

Stirlingia is not only admired for its ornamental beauty but also plays an important role in its ecosystem, providing habitat and food for local wildlife, including native bees and birds. Its resilience and ability to thrive in harsh, sandy environments make it a true emblem of Australia’s diverse flora.

Stirlingia latifolia is a well-known ‘resprouter’ after fire, storing most of its valuable starch in woody roots rather than the above-ground stems. So what you see above the ground isn’t particularly robust or persistent, particularly in fire-prone areas (i.e. the whole of south-eastern Western Australia). Read more here.

Hair tufts appearing on maturing fruits after pollination of the ovaries.

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Plant of the Month

Fig

by Bibi

Fig trees are resilient, easy-to-grow fruit trees that thrive in a range of climates, making them popular in home gardens. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil, though they can tolerate a variety of soil types. When planting a fig tree, choose a sunny location that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Water the tree deeply after planting and regularly during the growing season, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings, as figs prefer slightly dry conditions over being waterlogged.

For healthy growth, fig trees benefit from mulching, which helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. They don’t require heavy fertilizing; however, applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts can support their development. Figs are self-pollinating, meaning you only need one tree to produce fruit, though some varieties rely on a specific type of wasp for pollination. Prune fig trees in late winter while they’re dormant to maintain their shape and promote air circulation, which reduces disease risk. Remove dead or damaged branches and shape the tree for better light penetration. Harvest figs when they’re fully ripe and soft to the touch, as they do not ripen off the tree.

Fun Facts:

Fig trees have a fascinating history and are one of the oldest cultivated crops, dating back thousands of years. They feature prominently in religious and historical texts, including the Bible and ancient Egyptian writings.

Interestingly, the fig tree has a unique relationship with the fig wasp, its primary pollinator. This mutualistic partnership involves the wasp entering the fig’s enclosed flowers to lay its eggs, allowing pollination to occur—without this process, certain fig varieties wouldn’t bear fruit. The fig’s fruit is also not technically a fruit but an inverted flower, where seeds develop inside the fig, adding to its botanical intrigue.

Growing Fig Trees in Australia – Planting & Pest Guide

Dare try growing a fig tree in a pot. Our member Nikki has propagated some fig tree cuttings for you to try. They are $15@ if you would like to get your hands dirty!

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

Recipe of the Month

Cheesecake Japanese Style by Connie M.

Ingredients:
Cake batter: Cream cheese 125g

Milk 70g, Butter 20g,

Cake mix: 15g flour, Corn flour 10g

and 3 egg yolks.

Meringue: 3 egg whites, a few drops of lemon juice, sugar 50g.

Methods:

Add 1/3 of the meringue into the cake batter and mix well. Pour back into the meringue and mix thoroughly. Pour into the mould and pop out the bubbles (use a non-stick mould).

Use water-bath method (fill room temperature water into a large plate, about 2cm high) for slow bake. Preheat to 140 degree Celsius and place in the bottom layer for 90 minutes. Then move up one level and bake for another 30 minutes.  Set the temperature to 150 degree Celsius  and bake for 40 minutes. The last step is to brown the surface by turning up the heat to 160 degree Celsius and bake for 10 minutes. Let the cake cool for 3-4 minutes after taken out of the oven. Remove the mould while hot.  After the cake completely cool down, refrigerate for at least 4 hours serving.  It will be best to enjoy it the next day.

A YouTube clip presented in Cantonese.

Here is a variation presented in English.

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Book Review

By Kim Wilkins

NOTHING BAD EVER HAPPENS HERE- By Heather Rose

Heather Rose is an Australian author from Tasmania. She is now justly regarded as one of the county’s best authors and her novels have won a number of awards.

This book was published in 2022 and describes her life story growing up in Tasmania and later experiencing the native cultures of a number of countries. She suffers grief at an early age and this leads her to episodes of spirituality and what she regards as the supernatural in various parts of the world including Thai Buddhism, those of the American Indian and the Australian First Nation Peoples. I particularly liked her experiences with American Indian culture.

This novel is probably not everyone’s cup of tea. It is a well written account of her life but is more than a simple biography as it is full of her mystical beliefs and her supernatural experiences. It is also more than just a superficial account of the supernatural and I enjoyed the way this is presented in a personal way, even though is not always enjoyable for her. It does seem to help her cope with the many setbacks in her life.

It is 242 pages and an easy read. The title is explained near the end of the story. Heather has the ability to paint in words a picture of what she experiences. I can recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading this genre.

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From the Desk of Bibi

Restoring Faith in Humanity

by Dr Bibiana Chan

Since the second COVID-19 lockdown was lifted in November 2021, the Community Flower Studio (CFS) has been running its Petal-it-Forward Campaign. On Saturday, 12 October 2024, during our Mental Health Week Pop-up Stall, we hosted it for the first time in the New York style—drawing inspiration from the Society of American Florists (SAF), who launched their version of the campaign in October 2015. Each passerby was handed two small bouquets with the instruction: “Keep one for yourself and ‘Petal-it-Forward’ (give) one to someone else.” SAF has been running this campaign for nine years, and florists in Canada also participated in 2024.

While wars rage on in Ukraine, Africa, and the Middle East—beyond comprehension for many—here, on the other side of the globe, CFS’s young members witnessed the transformative power of a simple act of kindness. Before handing out the two beautiful mixed Aussie rose bunches, named “Joyce’s Choice” after a beloved late member, volunteers asked four thoughtful Wh-questions:

1. Who are you giving the roses to?
2. Why?
3. When will you deliver them?
4. What will you say?

We listened to heartwarming stories: some were gifting roses to lonely and elderly neighbours, others to friends overwhelmed with caring for young children, or family members struggling with health issues. The connections made were genuine and powerful, reminding us all of the impact a small act of kindness can have.

As I reflect on this event, I recall the time spent completing a $500 community grant application from WayAhead, the organization behind Mental Health Month for over two decades. I felt confident CFS would succeed, and we also received around $200 in donations at the pop-up stall. My heart swells with gratitude for the generosity of the people we encountered. When I told my nearly 90-year-old mother, who lives in Ottawa, about the campaign’s success, she kindly offered to donate $500 to support our next Petal-it-Forward campaign. Continue reading here.

Subscriber’s Corner

Reflections on Social Enterprise Festival 2024

by Andrew G.

The SECNA Social Enterprise Festival took place on Saturday August 3rd, from 10am to 3pm. On the day of the festival, my family and I made our way to the venue and arrived roughly around 12:30pm to prepare for the 1pm shift. When my family arrived at the stairs of the lobby, we were welcomed by a staff worker and signed in. In addition, we received a $20 voucher to spend in the stalls which was a nice surprise.

I made my way over to the CFS stall on level 2 and dropped my bags off whilst a session was already in place. Once the session was over, I helped out by setting the tables and changing the water as such in preparation for the next session. Once some participants arrived, Bibi and I began our session to create “colour-bombs” using watercolour paints. Bibi also gave myself the chance to lead the session, teaching the participants on the techniques of making colour-bombs.

Once the session was over, Bibi, Geoff and I began cleaning up the equipment. At one point, a staff worker appeared and offered a book for free that I gratefully accepted. At the end of the day, Bibi, Geoff and I later split our ways to go home.

What’s Australia future in renewable energy?

By Wing C.
Photo credits: Geoff T.

To achieve Net Zero by 2050, Australia must rapidly expand alternatives to fossil fuels, such as gas and coal. Fortunately, the “Land of Oz” has abundant natural resources, especially solar and wind, making it well-positioned to lead in renewable energy. Solar and wind farms are sprouting up at record speeds across regional areas, sparking ongoing debate around the benefits and challenges of these projects.

As extreme weather events intensify globally—such as Taiwan’s strongest typhoon (Kong-rey) in 30 years, Chiva (Valencia region of Spain) received the equivalent of their annual rainfall in just eight hours—it’s clear that prompt, safe, and cost-effective energy policies are essential. Strong, visionary action from our Federal Government is crucial to secure a sustainable energy future.

If you would like to share your thoughts on Australia’s renewable energy path, please submit your response (up to 300 words) for publication in the next CFS e-Newsletter.

Further reading:  

Dutton’s nuclear plan still light on detail

Nuclear power in Australia

Small modular nuclear reactor that was hailed by Coalition as future cancelled due to rising costs

The nuclear phase-out in Germany

Sleight of hand: Australia’s Net Zero target is being lost in accounting tricks, offsets and more gas