The first Sundowner was held on January 20th 2026 at Maribyrnong Park, The Boulevard, Aberfeldie at 6pm until 7.30pm. The weather was perfect, warm with a gentle breeze, and there were no flies! The company was delightful and friendly, and the food delicious with everyone bringing something to share. The park is at the bottom of Fawkner street that includes the pirate ship playground. There is some parking at the Park, and more near Poynton’s or at the bottom of Afton Street. The closest bus stop for the 467 is at Brunel St/ Tilba St up the hill, for a map click here. For photos of the event please click here.

Historical family book display
Fourteen club members joined Ron and Gerri Barratt in their home to learn the history of a rare family book. Ron’s great grand aunt, a botanical artist, spent nine years in Melbourne in the 1850s collecting and illustrating wildflowers. She produced her own book called The Wildflowers Around Melbourne when she retuned to England. Her Melbourne descendants have a copy. Other copies are in the National Gallery in Canberra, the State Library of Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens Library.

Gerri also showed a series of embroidered pages that she had created that reproduced the pages from the book, a task that consumed hundreds of hours. A worthwhile and very dedicated activity. For photographs – thanks Anna – please click here.