By Marg Stork
IF you’re counting the days to farewell the vagaries of winter take heart, spring is just around the corner.
For some weeks now an acacia (wattle) tree has been gleaming in a shower of golden flowers on the top car park garden on the side of the bridge over the railway line at Oakleigh.
This week when I walked along the side of our glasshouse and examined springtime pots of jonquils I found two bulbs had already flowered, which is earlier than usual.
Under the bare-limbed apricot tree the marguerite daisy bush has never ceased blooming throughout winter and the ivy geranium has been a constant source of pink and white blooms for the vases. The lauristana bush is also in bud … nature’s promise of brighter days.
Rugging up
As the mercury keeps dropping, warm hearts are going out to people doing it tough.
The Dandenong and District Benevolent Society is making its annual appeal for blankets, quilts, rugs of all sizes and winter woollies for babies, schoolchildren and adults.
Margaret Ladner, the hard-working manager and co-ordinator of the busy shop, has been linked to the society since 1984 and has the able assistance of her husband Geoff Ladner, the society’s treasurer and public officer.
Barbara Siddall is the president and Wilma Southern the secretary. The society’s motto is apt: Providing help where needed.’
Greater Dandenong Weekly readers can help with the winter warmth appeal by calling 9793 3736, by fax 9793 2165 or email benev@bigpond.net.au.
Stamping an impression
The Dandenong Philatelic Society, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, is seeking new members of all age groups, from children to adults.
The society has between 15 and 20 members who come from widespread areas but in the main from Casey and Dandenong.
Its enthusiastic president Peter Jenkins describes himself as a thematic collector with his major preferences being Winston Churchill and warships. He has contacts with stamp collectors in the UK and other countries.
Mr Jenkins was a member of the Noble Park Philatelic Society, which unfortunately had to stop functioning because it lacked a sufficient number of members.
His fellow enthusiast on the Dandenong Philatelic Society committee is president Terry Prendergast.
To join, call Peter Jenkins 9700 1277 or Terry Prendergast on 5942 7626. Light refreshments are served to society members after the regular meetings.
Do you have a milestone, memory or question for Marg? Email marg@yourweekly.com.au or post submissions to A Moment with Marg, c/o Greater Dandenong Weekly, PO Box 318, Dandenong 3175.
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