CSSA January Gathering 2022

At  this stage we plan to be returning to the hall for our January  Gathering! But to ensure we are catering to all our Members, for those  unable to attend the hall we will be Live Streaming to the CSSA  Members-Only Group and Zooming (details on how to join can be found  below).

DUE TO THE EVER CHANGING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHECK OUR FB EVENTS OR THE CSSA WEBSITE BEFORE ATTENDING THE HALL.

Out Guest Speaker this month is Greg Carrick from Garden City Plastics - GCP: what we do and the future within Horticulture

This  talk will provide a brief history of GCP. Projects they are involved in  with material and other industries, not just Horticulture. Pot  building, base drainage systems and why they are different, materials  used etc. As well as recycling and where that's heading now and in the  future.

Greg  began as the First Apprentice at Gardenworld Nursery (Dingley  Nurseries) in 1979. As a growing business, it soon had a couple more  apprentices as the sales expanded. He was fortunate to work for an owner  who was quite progressive heading to Europe and America to look at  trends in retailing and bring these back to Melbourne (hence the  different businesses in the complex including Collectors Corner). Greg  worked his way up in the business becoming the manager in the early  90’s, taking pride in the quality stock, terrific presentation and  relevant customer information, which is still a trademark for  Gardenworld today. Greg joined the sales team at Garden City Plastics  (GCP) in 2001. Over the past 19 years he has been involved in various  committees with the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria, including  being on the board for 6 years, and is currently on the board of  Landscape Victoria which is exposing GCP to another side of the plant  world.

Plant of the Month (POTM): Novelty or humorous planter

HALL RULES TO ENSURE WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH CURRENT RESTRICTIONS AND COVID SAFE PRACTICES TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE:

•  Please note that failure to comply with these rules may mean that you  will be denied access to the CSSA Gathering or be asked to leave the  venue.

•  This event requires ALL persons aged 18 years or over to be fully  vaccinated (received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine) unless  you have a valid medical exemption from an authorised medical  practitioner (this will be checked at the door by a Covid Monitor).

•  ALL Members, Guests and Visitors MUST check in via QR Code (this will  be checked at the door by a Covid Monitor). For those without a smart  phone a paper-based check in must be completed, and paper-based evidence  of vaccination or valid medical exemption must be shown.

•  In addition to the QR code sign-in, Members/Visitors/Guests will also  need to sign in with the CSSA, this is for Insurance Purposes and must  be completed.

•  As check in may take some time, please remember to be PATIENT and to  show RESPECT, TOLERANCE, UNDERSTANDING and KINDNESS to the Volunteers  assisting in this process.

•  Please DO NOT attend if you have any symptoms of Covid-19 (temperature  over 37.5°C, runny nose, cough, aches/pains, nausea, vomiting or  diarrhoea, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste,  fever/chills/night sweats, headache, shortness of breath, fatigue), have  tested positive to Covid, have had close contact with anyone confirmed  or suspected of having Covid-19, or have been required to self-isolate  (please refer to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist).

• Hand sanitiser will be provided, and you are encouraged to use it on entering and before signing in.

• A face mask must be worn inside the facility by all persons over the age of 8 unless an exception applies.

• Social distancing of 2.0 metres must be maintained inside the venue.

• Number of attendees is restricted to 125, we reserve the right to refuse entry should the permitted capacity be reached.

•  Due to the size of the kitchen facilities and requirements for safe  distancing, Supper will not be provided. Members, Guests and Visitors  wishing to have a hot drink and something to eat at the Supper Break are  asked to provide their own tea/coffee (e.g. thermos) and snack.

•  Due to venue size and social distancing requirements, table space for  Sellers may be limited, if you are planning to sell, please ensure you  advise the CSSA Secretary (secretary@cssaustralia.org.au) as soon as  possible.

• The order of proceedings will be as follows (approximate times):

6.00pm Hall will open to setup the venue (if you can assist with setup this would be appreciated)

6.45pm Sellers may enter the Hall to setup their sales

7.00pm Members/Guests/Visitors may enter the Hall

7.30pm Zoom room opens

7.45pm Live stream to CSSAustralia Members-only Group starts

8.00pm Official meeting start

9.00pm Guest Speaker’s presentation commences

10.00pm Gathering closes (if you can assist with pack up this would be appreciated)

FOR THOSE WISHING TO JOIN THE MEETING VIRTUALLY:

>> CSS Australia Members are provided the Zoom details via email and the Members-Only FB Group

>>  If you would like to join the Monthly Gathering Zoom room as a  Guest/Visitor, please send us a PM no later than 24 hours prior to  commencement of the Monthly Gathering.

Guests/Visitors  are welcome to join our Monthly Gatherings either at the hall or via  Zoom for up to three occasions, after this time we ask you to become a  Member. More information about our Membership is available on our  Website (https://cssaustralia.org.au/membership).  Membership costs as little as AU$20 a year, with the membership year  commencing on the 1st March – so there is no better time to join than  now!