Community
22 August, 2024
Planning underway for Mortlake Rose Show
PLANNING for the 2024 Mortlake Rose Show is underway as organisers look to build upon the success of last year’s event.
The 2024 Mortlake Rose Show will follow the same format as last year after what was believed to be one of the largest crowds in years descended on Soldiers Memorial Hall.
This year’s even will run over two days on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 in November, with entries taken on the Friday evening and Saturday morning.
Committee member Pam Walmsley said the process of maintaining the general origins of the event while making only minor adjustments depending on what works was a crucial aspect of maintaining continuity.
“The event has been successful for 125 years and has only had minor changes in recent years,” she said.
“We want to maintain a program which, from its inception, has held a style which stuck to the long-term concept of showcasing some of Mortlake’s most beautiful roses and plants.”
Early plans are to host the core features of the event on the Saturday with a light lunch, afternoon tea, raffle and stalls in the foyer while Sunday will be a viewing day only.
Kidz Corner will run again as it was such a success last year.
“It was introduced last year and quite successful so we will follow through with that again because we love the idea of getting families involved,” Mrs Walmsley said.
“The thinking behind it is to help get kids back in to nature and back out in the garden.
“Maybe they get out there with their parents, and get out into their backyards and garden.
“There will be a lot for the kids including colouring-type activities and hands-on activities such as making flower arrangements.”
The official opening will feature a guest speaker and presentations, with full schedules including times expected to be available from late September.
While the Mortlake Rose Show certainly lives up to its name with a wide array of locally grown and cultivated roses on display, the show also features a category for most flowers as well as arrangements and potted plants.
“There’s an opportunity for gardens to enter a wide variety of various plants and arrangements,” Mrs Walmsley said.
Mrs Walmsley said entrants were always welcome to showcase their own flowers and arrangements, providing not only an opportunity for green thumbs to connect on the day but also to promote the benefits which cultivating gardens has in between each annual rose show.
“We want to get people spending time in their gardens and nature, and getting the concept of the beauty of what a garden can give you,” she said.
“There is a lot of relaxation, exercise and can be a great family thing.
“There’s a lot of health benefits, and people feel a wonderful sense of achievement watching things grow.”
The Rose Show would not be possible without the team of volunteers who organise and run the show, including community organisations, Lion’s Club and Garden Club members who have been involved for many years.
“We’re so thankful to those who have provided great involvement over the years,” Mrs Walmsley said.
“We invite anyone interested in volunteering to get in touch because we’re very reliant on people being willing to help out on the day.”
Anyone interested in helping out as a volunteer can contact mortlakeroseshow@gmail.com or call Pam Walmsley on 0439 992 522.