To All RHSV Affiliates and Members

The committee of the RHSV held a special meeting on Thursday 12^th March to set up a Disaster Relief Fund.  The aim of this Fund will be to provide money primarily for the purchase of trees and/or shrubs for towns that have suffered from a natural disaster. Other expenditure requests will be considered on their merit.

Areas considered for funding will be when buildings are replaced such as sporting clubs, community centres, schools etc. where trees or shrubs would be an appropriate gift, keeping in mind that it will be what the local people want.  You may have other suggestions to make and we would like to hear from you. We would also like it kept in mind that the nursery industry must be supported and trees and shrubs should be sourced locally if possible.

The RHSV will make an initial gift of $10,000 to the Fund.  A bank account has been set up, separate from the general funds of the RHSV but administered by the Secretary, Jennifer Rickerby and the Treasurer, Thelma Di Donna. At this time, only members and Affiliates will be asked to make a contribution to the Fund as we know many of you have indicated that you have raised funds for a purpose such as this.  We have not applied for the fund to be eligible as a tax deduction.

Initially, depending on the amount of money received and requests made on it, we expect the money in the Fund to be distributed within 3 years but this time could be extended.

A sub-committee of 4 members of the present committee will consider each written application from Affiliated Clubs or individuals who see a need in their area. Allocation of the money will be decided by the full committee of the RHSV after submissions have been scrutinised by the sub-committee.

Some devastated towns may not have a member in the RHSV so we will rely on our Regional Reprsentatives in Victoria and Affiliated Clubs in other states to make us aware of their needs.

We realise, too, that some areas will take months, even longer, to rebuild facilities but we would like to be aware of this need and set money aside.

We would like all clubs and individuals who are potting up plants for these devastated areas to let us know so we can put them on our data base to acknowledge the great work they are doing.

Because of the time delay, you may consider holding plant sales now in your own areas and donating the amount raised to our Disaster Relief Fund.

The Fund will be audited annually with the other yearly financial statements of the RHSV.

Please make your cheque payable to Royal Horticultural Soc. of Vic. Disaster Relief Fund and we look forward to receiving your submissions.

Don Rickerby

President

PRESS RELEASE FOR THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND

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*** Since the commencement of this fund we have been joined by the GARDEN CLUBS of AUSTRALIA and with their support have increased the amounts donated and the subsequent beneficial works we can undertake.  It is truly an Australia wide fund that shows the great support and unity of Australia’s  Gardeners.