ORGANISERS say the 23rd Australian Orchid Council International Conference and Show, hosted by the Woolgoolga District Orchid Society (WDOS) in October, was a “magnificent success”.
Combining a mammoth orchid show with abundant occasions to learn from speakers and exhibitors, the event blossomed as an educational opportunity as well as a visual delight, said WDOS President Nev Anderson.
Around 4500 people passed through the entrance to the Wiigulga venue, “which was truly amazing when you consider Woolgoolga has a population of around 7000”.
“These people came not only from the width and breadth of Australia but America, Canada, Ecuador, India, Vietnam, China and New Zealand.
“We have received many wonderful accolades… with visitors saying it was the best show since 1988, and others saying it is going to be hard to beat in the future.”
President of the Orchid Society of NSW Veronica Clowes said, “This memorable event will be used as a benchmark about how to stage a successful collaborative event, long into the future.”
The opening ceremony was conducted by Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh and City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams.
The associated conference was also a major drawcard with speakers including Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids in San Diego, US, who provided two “extremely interesting sessions… hailed as some of the best.”
Mr Clarke is an Accredited Judge in the Pacific South Region, and his own plants have received hundreds of quality awards from the American Orchid Society.
His pioneering work in Catasetum intergeneric hybrids led to the development of “Fredclarkeara After Dark”, which produced the blackest flower ever witnessed.
National Commercial law firm partner Michael Coker, a notable speaker from Victoria, has been growing orchids since he was five-years-old.
He is an Emeritus Judge and Training and Education Officer on the Orchid Societies Council of Victoria (OSCOV), as well as a judge for the Australian Native Orchid Society Inc. (ANOS) and an Associate Director at the Australian Orchid Foundation.
“Mr Coker gave an illuminating and particularly hilarious talk at our conference dinner, held at the Woolgoolga C.ex Bowling Club, at which we had an attendance of around 300 visitors,” Mr Anderson said.
Mr Clarke and Mr Coker were just two of the 10 “high quality, internationally renowned speakers providing informative presentations”.
By Andrea FERRARI
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