One of the benefits of being a member of the Friends of the ANBG is to occasionally get behind the scenes in the Gardens. On Thursday 8 November 40 of us got a close up look at the propagation of arid-zone plants for the Garden's new Red Centre Garden, which will open in October 2013 (more information on the Garden's website). We saw seedlings of many iconic species of Central Australian plants, ranging from Ghost Gums and Desert Oak to saltbush, diasies and spinifex.

The 24^th AGM of the Friends was held in the Gardens Theatrette on 25 September. The President gave a report summarising the achievements over the past year and looking to some exciting initiatives during 2012/13. In particular the report highlights the Friends activities for the Canberra centenary, including the gift of a major artwork for the Red Centre garden meeting place and a Bush Capital celebration in November 2013, for which a Centenary grant of $15000 has been awarded by the ACT Government.