Sue and Christine at the washing station

This season has seen an unusually abundant (and beautiful) flowering of many of our indigenous species. So the propagating team’s thoughts are turning to seeds because within weeks many of the plants we want to propagate will have ripe seed.

Because of strict controls to protect indigenous species, we are unable to collect seed in the wild without a permit. Occasionally authorities such as the Surf Coast Shire or the Great Ocean Road Coastal Committee give us permission to harvest small amounts of seed of specific species.

However, we rely mostly on plants in private gardens or the stock plants around the propagation centre or the community precinct. While this gives us good supplies, it does little to maintain really healthy genetic diversity. We are always looking for new seed sources—especially of the rarer species. If you have indigenous plants that you know have come originally from the Surf Coast and are willing to have us collect some seed, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Drop an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the details and we’ll get back to you.

Postscript: If you’ve finished your spring planting, we’d be pleased to reuse your forest tubes (preferably washed). Just drop them off in the cage outside the ANGAIR office.

Sally White

Ross Murray sorting seeds

Janet checking plants

Planting the screen Pomaderris

We meet at at the propagation unit behind the ANGAIR office, each Tuesday and Thursday at 9.00 a.m. and continue until we finish at about 12.00 p.m. Anyone with an interest in achieving something special is welcome, and no experience is required.

For upcoming activities, check out the ANGAIR events calendar.