General News
1 November, 2023
Rose Show to celebrate 125th milestone
PREPARATIONS are underway to celebrate 125 years of history when the Mortlake Rose Show returns this month.
PREPARATIONS are underway to celebrate 125 years of history when the Mortlake Rose Show returns this month.
The occasion provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been, what is and what will be for the event which somehow always manages to find a way.
Over recent years, a shortage of volunteers had threatened the future of the show, but new members and renewed interest has organisers excited for a future at a time of honouring the past members and entrants who made the milestone possible.
Flower Festivals had been a common occurrence in Mortlake during the years prior to the first official Mortlake Rose Show.
This created a catalyst for the first Mortlake Rose Show to see success at the St James’ Anglican Church in November 1898.
Over the years the ebbs and flows of time have done little to change the overall structure of the event.
The Rose Show has remained consistent in how it is presented, the categories adjudicated and the number and quality of local growers exhibiting their prized blooms.
The show has missed only a few years, believed to have been once or twice during World War Two and most recently in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Entering the milestone year, co-ordinator Pam Walmsley said it was an important time to remember the rich history of the event.
“This 125th year is a good time to reflect, acknowledge and give thanks to all who have kept this show alive since 1898,” she said.
“The 125th year is testament to the importance of this event to our community.
“Not only do exhibitors experience the joy of displaying their love of gardening but viewers experience the joy of seeing the beautiful, colourful display of a variety of plants and have the opportunity to pick up interesting, useful information from a guest speaker talking on a gardening topic.
“Local and district residents can also enjoy a social outing with friends over lunch and a cuppa.”
Ms Walmsley said the Mortlake Rose Show had continued to be a uniting event for the broader community, which had in recent times been threatened due to the pressures of finding volunteers.
After spending the past few months seeking willing hands to help make light work, the committee was able to attract seven new members to ensure the future prosperity of the Mortlake Rose Show.
“The show brings together a broad spectrum of the community; from local businesses who offer sponsorship in cash or kind, to the Lions club who help with set up and dismantling, the Mortlake
Garden Club who decorate the stage, and local groups who are able to fund raise by providing the cake stall, lunch and a plant stall,” Ms Walmsley said.
“As with many areas of society, this year the Rose Show was somewhat suffering from a lack of committee members with the workload falling on just a few people and some long-term members wishing to slow down.
“Fortunately, following a call for more helpers, the committee is revitalised with seven new members.
“The future of the show appears safe and we can look forward to the 150th show in 2048.”
Among the new members providing a fresh perspective is Hexham’s Ashlea Ranken.
“I went in the Rose Show three or four years ago and I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I thought it was a really good event for the community, so when there was a callout for volunteers and concern with how few people were involved I thought it would be good.
“Given it has been going for 125 years I don’t want to see it close, and I’ve also had the opportunity to meet new people in the community.”
Ms Ranken said she had found the committee to be open-minded to new people and ideas – which was a bonus for her in building friends after having moved to the region around five years ago.
“They’ve been very welcoming and very inclusive,” she said.
The Mortlake Rose Show will be held at the Soldiers Memorial Hall on Saturday, November 11 from 12.30pm through to 3.30pm, and on Sunday, November 12 from 10am to 2pm.
Presentation and guest speaker will be from 2pm on Saturday.
Attendance will cost a gold coin donation, and entries for exhibition will be open between Friday, November 10 between 6pm and 7.45pm and on Saturday morning from 8.30am until 10.30am.