Kelvin Grove Quaker Arboretum

Kelvin Grove : panel in progress, as seen in April 2021, stitched so far  by Judy Wollin

Kelvin Grove

Friends in Brisbane were thinking of moving out of the City area, following an offer from a developer for the North Quay property. At the same time, in 1971 the daughter of a saw miller, still living in the house at 10 Hampson Street Kelvin Grove, wanted to sell to someone who would look after it, and not use it for development. Friends agreed to buy it, and the Meeting House was built. Friends greatly valued the surrounding forest and nature during silent worship. There was a family of Tawny Frogmouths living in the forest for many years.

  There were about 100 Slash pines and 100 Hoop pines planted in rows around 1930’s or 40’s, by the saw miller, on a steep site, with two gullies joining at the bottom of the property, which flowed with water during and after periods of rain. There were Bangalow palms in the western gully, and some self-seeded natives growing already at the start if the bush regeneration project.

  The introduced Slash pines were faster growing and used for pulp milling. The Hoop pines were a protected tree, by Brisbane City Council, and needed special permission to remove.

  The forest project started in 1993, as

the Slash pines were dying, allowing more sunlight through for weed growth and increased fire risk. It was decided to replace 

these and other weed species with trees and shrubs native to south east Queensland. This was achieved with mostly volunteer labour from hundreds of different people, with some support from city council to provide a few hundred free seedlings, in the first few years of the project. There are now over 400 species of native plants contained within the forest, including some edible food plants and some rare species.

The Open Gardens Scheme of Queensland appreciated the project and included  “The Quaker Meeting House Arboretum” in its program for a few years, before it closed down. Several student and school groups have also visited from time to time.

  The hard work provided by a dedicated few, has produced a calm, peaceful place, just outside the city precincts. It is an ongoing project for Queensland Regional Meeting, and an example to all, that we consider it an important commitment, to care for our environment. 

Mary Grbavac, Rhoda Dorrell, David King.

The stitching of this panel was begun by Judy Wollin in the Gold Coast. Currently it is in Brisbane.