Insurance

Need to recharge your Insurance for 2019/20. Go to our Insurance Forms & Information and click on one the Forms you need.

A very competitive and favourable insurance policy under The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc’s Master Insurance Scheme is available to affiliated member clubs. The insurance Scheme offers Public Liability, Product Liability and Accident Insurance for its members, and is legal and effective across all Australian States and Territories.  All forms for Insurance are listed there as is a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Insurance Officer

Our Insurance Officer can be contacted for further details, email David Gemmell or telephone 02 6554 2269.

Insurance Questions and Answers

What activities does the liability insurance cover?

The activities of the GCA have been described to the Insurer as: To extend knowledge throughout the community of gardening, horticulture and its uses, and garden design; To promote and encourage various aspects of community based horticulture activities; To educate the public in the protection and conservation of our natural resources; To contribute to, encourage and participate in activities assisting Botanic Gardens and other like-minded horticultural institutions; To develop and co-ordinate the education of affiliated members of GCA and like minded organisations; To co-operate with other agencies to further the interests of horticulture and conservation; To promote and encourage areas of floral art; To encourage assistance to charities; To be non-political and non-sectarian in all undertakings.

Is the accident policy for members only?

Yes.

What does product coverage mean?

It provides legal liability coverage associated with the sale of goods.

If our club does not sell any goods, can we have the cover removed and receive a premium reduction.

No. This is a group policy and coverage cannot be altered for one individual club.

Do patrons and Life members have to be in the membership count to determine the premium?

Yes.

If we have far away members who do not attend club meetings or function do we include in the membership count?

Yes.

Is there any excess on the policies?

Yes. Public / Product Liability has a $500 excess for each and every claim or series of claims arising from the one occurrence. The Personal Accident policy has a $50 excess for all medical expenses claims.

Do we have to carry out the “Duty of Care” checklists?

No.

Do we have to be incorporated to qualify for insurance cover?

No.

Can we affiliate without taking out your insurance cover?

Yes.

Are guests (non members) on coach trips and garden visits covered.

They are not covered by the Group Personal Accident policy as this is for members only. However should a guest be injured as a result of an accident at a GCA function, and which is due to the Garden Club’s negligence, then the club would seek protection from the Public/Products Liability policy from this action.

Is there an Age Limit on either policy?

Yes the Group Personal Accident has an age limit of 100 years. Refer to the policy schedule for limitations and restrictions on cover.

Insurance Questions and Answers (contd.)

Can I sign a contract that contains insurance statements?

When you enter any contract you must make sure you understand the terms and conditions. Many contracts will contain an insurance section and or indemnity conditions. Never sign a contract that either imposes additional liability on your Garden Club or limits liability upon others. You will breach the Garden Clubs policy terms and conditions. Always seek professional legal advice before entering into any contract.

Can our club hold its monthly meeting in a member’s garden?

Yes

Are visits to member’s and non-member’s gardens covered by our liability insurance?

Yes

Does our insurance package cover property and cash handling insurance?

No. Group Personal Accident & Public / Products Liability are the only Insurance policies.

Does our Group Personal Accident policy cover members on organized coach trips?

Yes.

Are Garden competitions covered when we open them to the public even with or without an entry fee?

Yes, the Public / Products Liability include open gardens.

What if our Garden Club holds a large attend each year which attracts more than 1,000 attendees?

You will need to complete an Event Form and forward to Trident Broking. There may be an extra premium charged for these events. Please note, when estimating your number of attendees do not include the members attending from the hosting club.

Why do I have to pay extra for these events?

Due to the amount of attendee’s, the risk of an incident occurring becomes greater, the more people, the higher the risk.

Are shopping centre displays covered by insurance?

The Public/Products Liability policy will cover the liability associated with the display. Be mindful that Shopping Centres may ask to have a contract signed to allow the use of their premises. Refer to question 1.

Are horticultural shows covered?

Provided it is a GCA &/or an Affiliated Club Show, the Public/Products Liability policy will cover the liability associated with the exhibition.

If our club joins GCA and takes the insurance package does our premium run for 12 months?

No, The GCA’s policies have a common annual due date which is 30th April each year.

Do we get a refund if our club closes down?

No.

If we increase our membership within the year do we pay an extra premium?

No. Each year you are asked to declare you member numbers in December. Once declared, the premium is based on that declaration for the year even though your membership may increase or decrease during the year.

Do we have Director’s & Offices Liability Insurance?

“Garden Clubs of Australia is not offering blanket Directors and Officers Insurance protection owing to the complex nature of the application and the limited number of clubs that have expressed interest”
We have however secured detail of suitable coverage through our brokers, Trident and the product information sheet show here explains the coverage provided.
There is also an information sheet at Trident forms here which is detailed and should be forwarded to Belinda Caunt whose contact details are on the Information sheet.
Should you prefer you can arrange similar insurance coverage through your own contacts.
Regards GCA Insurance Officer  

Do the GCA Insurance policies cover smaller Gardening Clubs, which have formed a larger Gardening Group/Club, which does not have any legal control, and/or active management over them and which has affiliated to the GCA?

No. In terms of the definition of The Insured on the GCA insurance policies, all Clubs wishing to be insured should be DIRECTLY affiliated to the GCA and not form part of a group that does not exercise active management or control, as provided for under the Corporations Law, over them.

Can we repackage garden products, or mix potting soil, and sell or provide them to others?

No.

Convention

GCA Convention

Every two years (in the odd years) the GCA holds a Convention at a different location in Australia.
The Convention runs for about 5 days and includes the GCA AGM for that year.
The Convention provides an opportunity for members of affiliated clubs and their friends and families to enjoy socialising and visiting many interesting attractions at the location.
Affiliated clubs can tender to organise a Convention and will receive complete support from the GCA.
For details and enquiries contact the GCA Secretary.
For details on 2019’s Convention being held at Norfolk Island. Click on the PDF for further details.

Our Gardens Magazine

Our Gardens is the quarterly magazine of the Garden Clubs of Australia Inc and each issue features articles by well-known garden writers and regular contributors on plant cultivation, garden history, flower arranging, book reviews and horticultural events.
The magazine is available to members of affiliated clubs through their own club secretary but is also available by direct subscription.
Articles and accompanying photographs are most welcome from our Affiliated Clubs on gardening related subjects from every State in Australia.
Enquiries are welcome from potential advertisers of products of interest to gardeners or flower arrangers etc.
For further information click here.

National Judges

National Register of Judges

The Garden Clubs of Australia has a list of Judges from most States. Our Coordinator’s duties are to:
To encourage the development of judges and judging in all aspects on behalf of The Garden Clubs of Australia Inc and to support the conducting of judge’s training schools whenever there is seen to be a need and there are personnel qualified and willing to conduct a school.
DUTIES

  • Maintain the Judges Register and ensure it is current.
  • Re register all judges every two years ensuring information is correct.
  • The period for judges expires on 31st December every two years and a fee is determined by the GCA committee at the April meeting after discussion so that the fees charged to judges cover all costs incurred in running this service.
  • Renewal Invoices are sent out no later than 1st November every second year.
  • Where necessary the Judges Registrar may offer a pro-rata fee where qualifying judges fall outside the set period for registration.
  • Handle all requests and enquiries to the GCA Judges Registrar from judges, clubs and others promptly.
  • Ensure the integrity of all information held by the Judges Registrar on behalf of the GCA.
  • Keep a register of all judging events.
  • Prepare a written report for every GCA committee meeting.
  • Ensure all judge’s training schools are run correctly, liaise with the Tutor and/or Coordinator ensuring that all costs are covered and the course will break even but not at a loss.
  • Supply paperwork for courses if required.
  • Make available to judges, Zone Coordinators, Trainers and others requesting them copies of the re printed booklets A Guide For Judges Of Garden Competitions, and Guidelines For Stewards.
  • Ensure that our web page contains up to date information about judging, judges schools and any other suitable information.

Chair a Judge’s meeting as part of a GCA Convention and on the AGM day of the alternate year to share ideas and answer questions that may arise and offer solutions.
Click on the respective States for a list of Judges:

New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria

Judging Garden Shows and Fairs

Shire Councils, Clubs and other organisations that hold garden or flower competitions may obtain information from the GCA judges list including names of available judges, by contacting the Judges Registrar. There are over 50 judges and convenors from judging associations listed, giving competition organisers a range of skills and qualifications to choose from. Affilated clubs can obtain their own complete list of Registered Judges.

Judges Courses are arranged periodically through the GCA to train potential Garden Judges from members of Affiliated clubs. Email our representative.