On a sunny spring day, 55 people and one visitor attended the September meeting of the Lakes Entrance Garden Club.
Information about the flower display and indoor market to be held over Melbourne Cup weekend in November appears in the booklet put out by East Gippsland Shire Council for the Seniors Festival during this month.
There are many events on over spring with some local ones as well.
Showbench judge for September was member Arja Toivanen and she mentioned the flowers on display were all locally grown, “so ask the people who grew them, about them, if you are interested in growing them – gardeners are helpful.”
In the photography section, first was Janice Kelly with Arja’s favourite bird (spinebill) and favourite plant (grevillea). Second place went to Sheryl MacCubbin with a lovely white dahlia.
A fun and special section this month was the floating flowers – a real challenge.
First went to gorgeous hellebores and pansies – so soothing – from Joy Davenport. Second was Ron Howells with pretty pink camelias.
“All were good,” judge Arja said of the Orchid section. Sheryl MacCubbin was first with a cymbidium of green and red, while Dearne Albert was second with a spray of dendrobium with tiny white and pink flowers in a lovely vase.
Diane McStay was first in the one-cut section with a particularly interesting hop bush – it is not the flower that gives a show, but the red fruiting capsules. Second was the brilliant gold dust wattle from Stan Barker.
Always a favourite, the arrangement in a boot or shoe section was won by Diane McStay with colours of bright reds and lemons. Second was Ann Barker with her arrangement of yellows and mauves – it really is worth growing natives.
There were seven entries in the potted cacti/succulent/fern section and first was an unusual grey fern from Joy Davenport. Second from Sheryl MacCubbin with a hairy succulent with tiny gold flowers.
First place in the vegetable above ground section was a lovely burgundy leaved lettuce from Sheryl MacCubbin and second was fresh red shard/silver beet from Janice Kelly.
First in the vegetable below ground section was a red round beetroot from Sheryl MacCubbin, while second went to carrots from Dearne Albert.
What a pretty picture the floral art section was. First was Ann Barker with her arrangement of pinks and lemons in a wire basket with a king protea as the centrepiece. Equal second place went to Janice Kelly with a nice arrangement of different textures, and Dearne Albert with all natives in an amazing May Gibbs vase, complete with a koala.
Best exhibit of the day was from Ann Barker – Judge’s comment: “how can you put a king protea out of your mind”.
The October meeting is Monday, October 20, 1.30pm at the Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall. Visitors are always welcome.
