There was a good attendance of 62 at the first Lakes Entrance Garden Club meeting for 2025.
The club will be going ahead with another flower display on Melbourne Cup weekend this year, a list of suggestions for a future bus trip was circulated, and the March meeting on the 17th will be St Patrick’s Day, so members are asked to wear green.
Barbara Hoarder was showbench judge for February and took the time to explain some finer points of displaying the exhibits. Entries were down a bit due to the hot then rainy and windy weather over the past week.
Dearne Albert won the best exhibit of the day and the extra three points for her bits and pieces exhibit.
It was Valentine’s Day theme for floral art and how pretty all the five entries were. In red and white, roses and dahlia, presented on a lovely glass plate saw first place go to Shirley Bardwell. Second was Dearne Albert’s entry a large posy – thin branches twined in a heart shape with dark red roses and tiny white gypsophila flowers all finished off with a pretty white bow.
The other entries were quite striking too, one with large dahlia flowers in deep red and white, backed with variegated arum leaves, and one in a black bowl with green woolly bush, dark leucadendron and bow-shaped leaves.
One created with fuchsia, gaura, mandevilla in pinks and whites with the bright red gloriosa lily a focal point – oh and the chocolates. Thank you to those who were able to find the lovely exhibits for the showbench.
Guest speaker Brian Hancock spoke on some of the more unusual and humorous aspects of what happened during his working life in the funeral industry. Brian worked for Nelson Brothers Funeral Service, an elite company in Melbourne, owned by Theo Nelson.
Not all funeral preparations go smoothly, as was the case concerning a Mrs Brown who passed away in aged care in Melbourne. Her daughter, Miss Brown, requested a horse drawn hearse which would have been very impressive, but due to the hot weather, Theo decided a 1926 Buick would be used instead. Mrs Brown’s occupation was expected to be home duties but instead was snake tamer. Miss Brown then requested six tartan bows for her mother’s hair and the Royal Scottish Standard to be draped over her legs in the coffin. Thereafter the funeral went smoothly and Miss Brown was satisfied.
There were many funerals arranged for the wealthy Melbourne Establishment over the years and one of these was held in a small Lutheran church in the city and with the church being so small, additional seating was added to the aisles. One chauffeur-driven car arrived with Lady Potter and her daughter so appropriate seating was hastily arranged near the front of the church. The next chauffeur-driven car arrived and Dame Elisabeth Murdoch entered the church. This meant another shuffling of seating and people so that she was even closer to the front of the church. A lot of diplomacy was required.
A funeral for the music teacher who inspired and taught Marina Prior was a memorable occasion when Marina sang and then spoke of her gratitude for her teacher. Following this, she sang a beautiful rendition of Jerusalem.
Another funeral was being held at St John’s, Toorak so in preparation Brian attended their Sunday morning service. The organist was Thomas Haywood, internationally-acclaimed professional concert organist and the lesson was delivered by Sir Eric Pearce, radio announcer, television presenter and newsreader, who Brian said gave the most outstanding presentation of the reading.
It was a very entertaining talk from Brian.
The next Lakes Entrance Garden Club meeting is Monday, March 17, 1.30pm at the Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall. Visitors welcome.
