AGM + Guest Presenter + Share Table

AGM + Seed Saving - presented by Frances Michaels

Sunday 2 February 2025

1.30 pm - 4.30 pm

AGM (30 minutes starting at 1.30 pm followed by Seed Saving at 2.00 pm)

at Level 3 Meeting Rooms, Toowoomba City Library, Corner of Herries and Victoria Streets, Toowoomba, QLD 4350

or online via Zoom

This event is organised by Permaculture Toowoomba Inc.

Bookings are Essential

Please book so we have your contact details and know how many will be attending.

What We'll Do

1.30 pm to 2.00 pm - Annual General Meeting

Please join us for our AGM which will be short (30 minutes). In preparation, here are some important documents:

Agenda
Nomination Form
Proxy Form
Committee Responsibilities
Minutes of the previous AGM held on 4 February 2024
Insurance Certificates of Currency - Personal Accident, Primary Liability, Protector Liability.

The AGM will adopt the Financial Statements including Income and Expenditure and Balance Sheet for the last reportable financial year (1 January to 31 December 2024). The President’s Annual Report will also be presented.

All positions on the Management Committee will be declared vacant.

Written Nomination Forms before the AGM are welcomed and should be sent to info@permaculturetoowoomba.com.au by Sunday 26 January 2025. If no written nominations are received for a position, nominations from the meeting will be accepted.

Management Committee Roles for 2025 will include:

President
Secretary
Treasurer
Vice President
Membership Registrar
Events Coordinator
Welcoming Officer
Events Host
Newsletter Editor
Social Media Admin
Technology Coordinator
2 x Committee Supporters

Please read Committee Responsibilities for more information.

If you're a financial member and unable to attend our AGM, please consider sending a completed Proxy Form to info@permaculturetoowoomba.com.au.

2.00 pm – Seed Saving presented by Frances Michaels

We're excited to welcome Frances Michaels (horticulturist, permaculturist, and retired CEO of Green Harvest) as our special guest presenter.

Frances will encourage our seed-saving by explaining:

How to save seeds
Why to save seeds
The value of seed saving to build resilience and adapt locally to climate change
How to save and share seeds effectively to build community resilience
Which vegetable varieties are especially suited to the growing conditions of SE QLD gardens

A little about Frances Michaels

Frances is a Permaculture Elder who first completed a Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) with Bill Mollison in 1985. She has taught 40 PDCs, has an Advanced Diploma of Horticulture, and a Diploma of Permaculture Design. Frances is also a Master Gardener and is the retired CEO of Green Harvest (for 34 years).

Green Harvest was a family-owned online business that traded from a purpose-built rammed earth green building and gardens in Maleny for 34 years from 1992 to 2023. They aimed to make it easier for Australians to live in healthy, natural homes with a garden full of nutritious, chemical-free vegetables and fruit. It was the first organically certified seed supplier in Australia and the Green Harvest website has been a comprehensive source of organic gardening and permaculture products and information on organic growing.

The great news is that Green Harvest will be opening online again soon with new owners. https://greenharvest.com.au/

Here's some great information about Seed Saving, Processing and Storage Practices from Green Harvest to get you started.

Afternoon Tea (provided) and Share Table

A light afternoon tea will be served (including Gluten Free and Vegan options).

Please bring your own KeepCup or mug so we can reduce waste.

Sharing of produce on the Share Table opens after the presentation to allow plenty of time for everyone to place their donations, and then allow you to browse, connect and make your selections during supper

Parking

Free off-street parking is available under the library (enter from Victoria Street).

Access

The venue has access for wheelchairs, walking frames, and strollers as needed. Everyone is welcome (including children with parental supervision).

We hope we see you there!

What to Bring

KeepCup or similar for your drink at afternoon tea (we're trying to minimise waste)
Donations of surplus produce for the Share Table

Share Table

Do you have surplus?

We encourage you to bring your surplus produce, plants, seeds, books, craft supplies, and resources to share with others at our events.

Some ideas of what you could bring include – fruit, vegetables, herbs, eggs, honey, milk, jams, pickles, preserves, jars, ferments, starters, SCOBYs, seeds, plants, seedlings, cuttings, tubers, pots, tools, gardening magazines, permaculture books, recipes, patterns, manure, coffee grounds, compost additives, worms, mealworms, wool, fabric, craft supplies, soap, natural cleaning products, plastic alternatives, produce bags – the list is extensive.

Please bring whatever you can and then take home whatever you need within our culture of generosity and free sharing

Cost

Financial Members of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. - Free
First-time Visitors to a Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. Event - $10 per person
Non-Members - $20 per person
Children attending with an Adult - Free (but please book so we know the total numbers)

Membership 2025 - Now Due

Annual Membership of Permaculture Toowoomba Inc. is due by 31 December each year. It's only $50 per person or $40 for a second or subsequent adult living in the same home.

Financial Members can attend events and workshops during the year at no cost.

You can pay your membership for 2025 at checkout when you book to attend this event.

Membership forms will be available at the event for anyone wishing to join, or available here for download at http://www.permaculturetoowoomba.com.au/membership/