Former resident of Sawtell Catholic Care’s Marion Grove remembered

The late Alex Floyd, a revered botanical maestro on the NSW North Coast, was fondly remembered by over 20 friends and long-time fellow residents in a memorial tree planting ceremony at the faith-based Marion Grove, which has over 11ha of well-maintained lawns and gardens.
 
Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare president, Barry Powells, addressed the gathering on National Tree Day and two specially-chosen trees were planted with a plaque.

Alex (pictured) and his wife Cynthia were responsible for the establishment of the Botanic Garden in Coffs Harbour.

“His botanical knowledge was astounding,” Barry told News of the Area.  

Judith Paul, aged over 90 and still an active Landcare volunteer, assisted Barry to plant one of the trees, while fellow Landcarers Dave Woods and Charlie England planted the other.

“I thought today’s gathering was an excellent way of remembering Alex, an outstanding botanist who not only had two genera named in his honour, but also six species,” said Barry.

“Both Boambee Headland and Bongil Bongil National Park are fortunate enough to have very healthy areas of Floyds Grass (Alexfloydia repens) growing, so memories of Alex are never far away.”

Alex died on 12 December 2022, aged 96.

The SOURCE: Honouring the memory of someone at a retirement village in such a way is a great initiative.