Alex and Wendy Smart moved to Beaconsfield in 2012 and built a home with a native plant garden.
They are both very interested in Australian wildlife and native plants. They were members of the Friends of Cranbourne Gardens. Wendy was co- ordinator of the Friends Fabrication Group for six years and this also involved holding a textile stall in conjunction with the RBGC Friends plants Sale. Alex was a Past President and one of the things he did was to organize a building for the Growing Friends Plant nursery. Being a keen photographer with native plant knowledge, he was able to contribute so much to the group.
In 2017 Alex was recognised with an order of Australia medal for service to conservation and the environment. He has worked with the Helmeted Honeyeater recovery committee and with their plans to reintroduce the birds back to the Upper Beaconsfield and Guys Hill areas.
Their native plant knowledge lead them both to become members of the Australian Plant Society (APS) with the Casey Cardinia group at Wilson Park as Office Bearers contributing greatly to the group. More recently they were instrumental in moving the group to Deep Creek Pakenham, an excellent facility working with the community nursery and establishing it as APS Cardinia Region Group Inc.
Alex has contributed regularly to Beaconsfield Banner with cover photos and articles. These included research on the rocks at Pink Hill and excellent articles about the Helmeted Honeyeater. He has taken part in community meetings at Beaconsfield about the Helmeted Honeyeater program.
Thank you to Alex and Wendy for all they have contributed to these groups and the environment and wildlife. Beaconsfield and this local area has really gained from all you have done. We have been able to learn so much about the environment, native plants and wildlife.
We wish you good health and happiness as you move to be closer to family.
