Sunflower festival organisers ready to turn the Surf Coast yellow

EXCITEMENT is beginning to bloom as Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers flower show organisers prepare to give out free sunflower seeds during October in a bid to create a sea of yellow across the region.

The Surf Coast Celebration of Sunflowers is back for a second year in 2023 with more than 2,500 free seed packets up for grabs at 22 locations across the Surf Coast next month, encouraging residents to get a head-start growing sunflowers.

Lead organiser of the sunflower show, Bronwyn McNamee, said she is gearing up for a bigger and better event in early February.

“I have 35 lovely volunteers folding and delivering the seed packs all around the Surf Coast to towns like Torquay, Jan Juc and down to Anglesea,” Ms McNamee said.

“In the coming weeks, we’ll be approaching more than half a dozen cafes, ones that helped us out last season, and others to give us an extra hand spreading the sunflower joy.

“Seeds will also be available in front of eight homes and the Torquay Library.

“The seeds are wonderful signs of hope and promise and the sunflowers themselves are so bright and joyful.

“We’re looking to host the day in early February with a confirmed date to be announced a little closer to the event. The event allows people to share progress, ideas, successes, growing frustrations and fun.”

Prizes will be awarded for the tallest, tiniest, heaviest sunflower head, best potted sunflower, best multi-headed sunflower, most unusual sunflower, best dressed sunflower, and more.

“I expect people to be putting their sunflowers into the ground until mid-November, once flowers start blooming it should make the Surf Coast even more welcoming over the upcoming busy period,” Ms McNamee said.