General News
15 November, 2023
Rose show celebrates milestone in full bloom
VIBRANT colours filled Soldiers Memorial Hall over the weekend as the Mortlake Rose Show celebrated 125 years. The largest crowd in years filled the hall to see some of the best locally grown flowers on display as part of the iconic local show, with...
VIBRANT colours filled Soldiers Memorial Hall over the weekend as the Mortlake Rose Show celebrated 125 years.
The largest crowd in years filled the hall to see some of the best locally grown flowers on display as part of the iconic local show, with a diverse range of categories, species and presentations in full bloom.
As part of the 125-year celebration committee member Pam Walmsley paid tribute to the past and present committee members, sponsors and exhibitors for their dedicated efforts to ensure the show remains a fixture on the Mortlake calendar.
She made special mention of Mortlake’s Rae Risk, one of the most talented green thumbs in the community who has notched ten wins over the past 20 years.
Ms Walmsley noted the dire circumstances surrounding the rose show in recent years as the popular event faced closure during the pressures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The show faced an end after 2019 due to dwindling members,” she said.
“All we could think was how can we let this iconic, long-standing event die?
“We made changes to the process of entry and placed an emphasis on the growth of membership.
“We knew it was all a bit of a gamble.”
As Western District Newspapers reported earlier this month, the committee welcomed six new members this year in a bid to rejuvenate the event with a blend of youth and experience.
“The call went out and the committee now has six new members,” Ms Walmsley said.
“We have a mix of old guns and new, which blends knowledge and new skills.
“We feel very confident this committee should carry on the show for many years to come.”
In addition, Ms Walmsley thanked Mortlake College, Mortlake Kindergarten, The Mortlake Lions Club and all volunteers, sponsors and raffle donors who played an integral role in the event’s success.
Moyne Shire mayor Cr Ian Smith was in attendance to help name the winning entrants this year.
Cr Smith congratulated past and present committee members on the “great effort” it takes for an event to reach 125 years.
“It’s always great to come along to Mortlake – I don’t think I’ve missed this show in quite a while, going back to when it was the St James Anglican Church Rose Show,” he said.
“Congratulations to the committee for stepping up and keeping it going.
“It’s always great to come along and see the fantastic blooms and other presentations.
“It is a great event for all ages, and it is great to see the comradery among fellow gardeners and the wider community.”
Prize winners for 2023 included a stellar showing from Mortlake’s Georgie Oates, who claimed victory in four categories.
Attendees let out the loudest round of applause of the afternoon as Rae Risk continued her run of success at the age of 93.
Perhaps the most heart-warming win of the day went to Frank Riordan, who took out the champion Iris category with a flower which had been grown by his late wife Dorothy.
• E.C Greenford Perpetual Tray (Most successful exhibitor in show) – Georgie Oates;
• Elizabeth Brookes Memorial Trophy (three roses) – Georgie Oates;
• St James Cup (six roses) – Georgie Oates;
• Most successful exhibitor (roses) – Georgie Oates;
• Moyne Shire Trophy (best rose in show) – Sue Morrison;
• Mortlake Garden Club prize (collection of roses) – Dianne Robertson;
• Griffin Cup (most successful exhibitor in cut flower section) – Rae Risk;
• Edna Spokes Memorial Trophy (champion iris) – Frank Riordan;
• Dorothy Allen Memorial Trophy (aggregate floral design) – Heather Hannabury; and
• Nettie Draffen Memorial Prize (best entry of floral design) – Sue Long.
