Creswick Garden Club’s Flower Show gets green thumbs up

DON Rickerby, president of the Royal Horticultural Society Victoria, has given this year’s Creswick Garden Club Flower Show the thumbs up.

Invited to officially open the flower show, Mr Rickerby enthused about the great diversity of exhibits, the overall standard and the number of entries.

“I travel to many flower shows and I would rate this one very highly. I can see that a lot of effort has gone into organising the event and the outcome is a flower show demonstrates the joy of gardening,” he said.

“I am pleased to see so many wonderful looking irises. The number of professional iris growers has fallen by the way, so to see these fantastic flowers displaying such rich colours is very encouraging.”

As Mr Rickerby walked amongst the exhibits with Foundation President Val Lawrence he said it was heartening to see so many entries from young people and the local primary schools.

He met Nellie Duffy from Creswick North Primary School. The school won first prize for its hanging basket, which Nellie had taken great care of at the weekend to ensure it was in pristine condition for the flower show.

Nellie’s mother Belinda Ellams was enthusiastic about the school, its 4-star sustainability rating and its approach to encouraging students to grow, compost, care, cook and eat from the vegetable garden.

Ms Ellams has also demonstrated a love of gardening. A first-time entrant in the flower show, she came away with a number of first and second prize sashes.

Another first-time winner was Jane Neville, entering in the Bendigo Bank prize. The aim of the prize was to create a floral display in the colours of the Bendigo Bank. Belinda was slightly amazed but pleasantly surprised to be awarded the prize.

The Creswick Garden Club is now entering its 22nd year and is for people of all ages who are enthusiastic about gardening, sharing tips and learning from monthly speakers. The Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. For more information contact Phyllis Wright on 5345 2514.