POPULAR local identity and South Gippsland Citizen of the Year Ian Rasmussen has the honour of opening the Leongatha Daffodil & Floral Show on Thursday August 28, the colourful event continuing Friday and Saturday.
As treasurer of the Leongatha Horticultural Society, which runs the show, and having been a member for over 20 years, he’s an ideal choice.
Along with an abundance of daffodil classes, the event features other flowers, photography, pot plants, including a section for those in quirky containers, cut shrubs and trees, fruit and vegetables, school entries and floral art.
The Rodney Emerson Trophy for the Most Successful Exhibitor will be awarded, named in honour of the late and greatly missed Leongatha Horticultural Society member renowned for his daffodils, which he was passionate about growing from a young age.
Deep Creek Nursery will run a plant stall in the courtyard during the show, in addition to the Leongatha Horticultural Society’s own plant sale.
While Hancock’s Daffodils, which normally brings a selection of bulbs to the show, is unable to attend, cut daffodils will be available through Blyth Brothers Flower Growers, which is based in Ellinbank.
The Australian Plant Society is running plant propagation sessions each day, with times to be confirmed, that being a new feature of the show this year.
There will be an open garden on Friday August 29 and the following day, between 10am and 4pm, located within 10 minutes’ drive of Leongatha Memorial Hall, the garden’s address to be provided at the show.
St Peter’s Anglican Church Ladies Guild is again keeping showgoers fed, offering soup served with a roll, a selection of cakes, gluten free options, and free tea and coffee.
Anyone bringing a large group to enjoy the Guild’s hospitality is requested to call Coral Johnston on 0409 165 227 to arrange a time so that overall customer numbers are kept to a manageable level throughout.
There’ll be floral arrangements from the town’s churches on display, and an eclectic mix of items from St Peter’s Op Shop available to buy, the latter including clothes, tablecloths, lamps and china.
St Peters opens from 12-5pm on Thursday and 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Berrys Creek artist Melanie Caple has donated her time to design the poster for the show, as has been the case previously.
“It encapsulates the beauty of Spring,” Leongatha Horticultural Society publicity officer Wendy McDonald said of Melanie’s design, expressing appreciation for her generosity and noting the show only covers its costs.
Visit leongathahorticulturalsociety.com.au to view the show schedule that lists competition categories, with hard copies of the schedule available from Hays Jewellers at 31 Bair Street Leongatha and at the Citizens Advice Bureau on the corner of McCartin Street and Michael Place, Leongatha.
Those wanting to enter exhibits can do so at Leongatha Memorial Hall between 3pm and 8pm on Wednesday August 27 and 8am and 10am the following day, with stewards there to provide guidance on the right class for their entries.
Doors open at 1.30pm on Thursday August 28, with the official opening at 2.30pm.
