A brief history of APS

The Society for Growing Australian Plants SGAP was founded by Mr A J Swaby in Melbourne in 1957. For several years he wrote a column Know Your Natives in the popular gardening magazine Your Garden. These articles attracted a great deal of interest. The slogan he used was “Australians for Australia”, and he realised the progress which could be made towards this end by growers helping one another through a chain of interested people across the continent.

“Regions” were set up in a number of states and Tasmania became part of the South East Region, with the headquarters in Melbourne. In May 1971 the Tasmanian Region was formed. Local groups are active throughout the state. In March 1999 the Society changed its name to the Australian Plants Society Tasmania, Inc. in line with similar name changes in mainland groups.

CONSTITUTION

OBJECTS
1. To encourage the cultivation and study of Australian plants.
2. To encourage the establishment of gardens in all types of soil and climate for the preservation of the flora of Australia.
3. To support efforts to strengthen the laws and regulations of all bodies given authority by legislation of the Commonwealth and States of Australia for the conservation of Australian flora.
4. To encourage obedience to and the enforcement of laws and regulations with regard to the preservation of the flora.
5. To publish any information that may further the aims and objects of the Society.
6. To cooperate with other societies, associations or bodies with similar or substantially similar aims and objects.
7. To purchase, take, lease, exchange, hire or otherwise use any real or personal property necessary or suitable for the purpose of the Society.
8. To do all such things as are incidental to or conducive, necessary or convenient to the rights and privileges of the Society or to the attainment of the above objects.
9. To promote the knowledge, appreciation and preservation of Australian plants, both in their natural settings and in cultivation, with special emphasis on species indigenous to Tasmania.
10. To promote recognition of the Society as a resource group for educationalists and the government.