EMBER the wombat and Byron the carpet python helped Redlands Horticultural Society members to celebrate the group's 70th anniversary at the latest meeting.
Plants and animals filled Thornlands Dance Palais at the meeting on Monday, April 15, with special guests including a blue tongue lizard, bearded dragon, kangaroo and flying fox.
Tania Carter of wildlife education organisation Cool Companions gave information about the animals, answered questions from members and spoke about the important role each creature played in the ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Ember the wombat wandered around the hall, saying hello to members and even taking a cheeky nibble of a handbag.
The Redlands Horticultural Society was founded in 1949 by a group of local farmers to help promote a love of plants in the community.
The society holds monthly members for meetings to increase their knowledge of gardening, show their exhibits and make new friends.
"It's a wonderful, friendly club," president Janet Richter said.
"Everybody's so interested in coming to our meetings and we all share an interest in gardening.
"We have members who grow flowers and others who grow fruit and veg."
Each month, members visit other a garden of another member, a nursery or another place of interest.
The group also raises funds for charity and donated $500 to the Country Women's Association Drought Relief Fund in 2018.
Meetings are held at Thornlands Dance Palais on the third Monday of the month.
Morning tea is served at 9am and the meeting starts at 9.30am. Yearly membership is $20 and attendance fee for each meeting is $3.
