2006 - Perth
HRIAI Eighth National Conference
Busselton, Western Australia
From Friday, 10 November to Sunday, 12 November 2006
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CONFERENCE
Dr Bob Longmore, Nannup WA
The Busselton Conference was the first heritage rose conference that my wife Maggie and I had attended so I approach this account with slight trepidation and concern that I hit the right notes! Being local West Australians, we were fortunately able to stay nearby at our daughter’s place in Busselton, which made arrangements easier for us.
For me the meeting started with the Regional Coordinators’ meeting following registration. This was a grand opportunity to meet with fellow coordinators from around Australia and to appreciate the roles played and the problems faced. I was particularly fortunate as I viewed the trade stalls following this meeting to spy and purchase a first edition Edna Walling A Gardener’s Log. Of course, this set the tone for what was to be for us a very enjoyable Conference!
The ‘meet and greet’ reception on Thursday evening was replete with an abundance of fine fare. I always think that good quality food eases one nicely into such a meeting, and so it was, with good conversations and many interesting delegates. Following the official opening by the Hon. Adele Farina, MLC South West, floral designer Wayne Stubbs entertained the packed hall with his flamboyant and highly individual approach to the use of roses in a series of majestic creations.
At the onset of Friday’s programme, Kate Reading stamped a business-like authority on the housekeeping agenda for the forthcoming meetings and very well she did too. Having presented many lectures and talks in the past to professional meetings and the like, I am always keen to observe the structure and methods of approach to talks by speakers, particularly in the use of visual aids and illustrations. Visiting Californian Gregg Lowery’s presentation on Noisettes and Hybrid Musks was marred slightly by glitches in his PowerPoint displays, but he certainly made up for it in the quality of his verbal approach and information. Laurie Newman on My Chinese Connection presented a fascinating personal history of his involvement with the development of a heritage rose garden in China. My first experience of the enthusiastic David Ruston occurred when he presented an update on the World Federation of Rose Societies. What a character and total asset to the world of heritage roses!
That first afternoon and its programme of garden visits, first to Springfield farm, Witchcliffe, and Wallcliffe House, Margaret River, really set the scene for the next few days. The logistics of coach transport arranged impressed me – well done to Ray and his Gannaway Charters and Tours. On our coach, Ross Reading gave an ongoing commentary rich with local flavour. Maggie and I did not attend the wine tasting, for I find that having to drive later does limit one’s enthusiasm for consuming the local vintages.
Saturday morning’s programme commenced with an excellent talk by Phillip Robinson as Keynote Speaker and Rumsey Memorial Lecturer on Early Hybrid Teas up to 1945. He focussed in particular on the yellow Pernettianas and the breeding of yellow into the hybrid teas. A fascinating presentation – I’m a sucker for plant history – and yes, another rose sucker I suppose! Our next speaker was our well-known West Australian Bob Melville expounding his strong individual views on rootstocks. Bob gives good value for money and certainly is nothing if not controversial at times, but he does give food for thought. In conclusion of the morning programme, broadcasting journalist Sabrina Hahn presented her views on the potential for reticulation and use of grey water, a subject close to every gardener’s heart in these water-wise times.
The afternoon visits to Birchfields, Tranquil Gardens and Morella fulfilled our expectations of interesting roses and well populated garden beds. But folks, where were the weeds? Check with me if you feel you were missing something in that sector, we’ve got thousands! Maggie and I did not attend the Gala Dinner. Quite frankly we could not afford this extra expense and certainly to our regret missed out on what I believe was an excellent event.
Sunday’s programme commenced with an excellent presentation by ‘French Kiwi’ Jocelen Janon on The Nabonnands and their Roses. I had the good fortune to chair the talk and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Following New Directions for Old Roses, an appreciation of garden design given by Donna Broun, we were absolutely enthralled by our French visitor Odile Masquelier and her account of The Roses at La Bonne Maison. I’m absolutely certain we were two of the many who could visualise a holiday in La Belle France with a visit to La Bonne Maison. Odile presented some 122 slides, a daunting task, but with such delicacy and love for old roses that time seemed to fly by so quickly.
Saturday afternoon visits were to the Crowder Garden, Craythorne Country House and ended with a delightful afternoon high tea at the Secret Garden at Brookland Valley – what a fantastic clematis growing up that wooden wall! Farewells by Convenors Jenny Jones and Ken Poultney, the presentation of Life-Memberships by John Coleman-Doscas and a closing address by David Ruston ended a magnificent day, and indeed an excellent Eighth National Conference.
This conference also gave me a great opportunity to supplement my own library with some copies of the very informative and well illustrated Rosa Mundi, the journal of the American-based Heritage Rose Foundation. I also purchased a copy of Greg Lowery and Phillip Robinson’s book, the Vintage Gardens Book of Roses, so valuable for its beaut photographs and descriptions of their catalogued roses. In conclusion of this personal view of the conference, allow me to heap many congratulations and praise on all of our visiting speakers, on the Conference Convenors and all the local organisers. You all did a fine job and certainly made this our first HRIAI Conference a very worthwhile experience. It certainly whetted the appetite for Mornington Peninsula in 2008!