Botanist becomes top friend

LOCAL botanist Dr Seonaid Melville will lead the Friends of the Noosa Botanic Gardens organisation into 2015, after being elected as the new chairwoman at the recent AGM.
Dr Melville will replace former chairwoman Joan Cordell who stepped down after serving three years on the board.
Dr Melville, who grew up in a number of countries including Africa, Scotland and Australia, has an extensive background in botany, biology and land management and has previously served as the chair of the Noosa Biosphere Environment board.
Prior to moving to the Sunshine Coast 10 years ago, Dr Melville ran a successful environmental consulting business in Brisbane and taught botany, biology and land management at the University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology.
Since joining the Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens group, Dr Melville has taken part in many roles and activities including facilitating botanical workshops, developing a plants database and implementing activities for school children in the gardens.
Everyone is invited to join Dr Melville for a walk through the Noosa Botanic Gardens on Sunday 1 February, from 9am, to explore some of the summer delights on offer.