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Cherry Brandy
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The African Violet Society of W.A., (Inc.), was inaugurated on August 13, 1965, by a group of interested persons, at the home of Frank Rudeforth in Circe Circle, Dalkeith. We have had some great Presidents and Committees over the years, too many to list and we thank each and everyone of them for their contributions and sharing their passion for this beautiful hobby.
Now 53 years on we hold meetings on the third (3rd) Saturday of each month, starting in February, at the Manning Activity Centre, 3 Downey Drive Manning. There are two exceptions: in December there is a Christmas luncheon for members only and there is no meeting in January. Meetings start at 12.30pm, the meeting proper begins at 1.45pm and goes to about 2.30pm - 3.00pm followed by afternoon tea/coffee and a great get together. The specific aim of our meetings is the dissemination of information to members, presented in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere. Meetings also provide a forum for social interaction for people with a shared interest - African violets and Gesneriads and often include a workshop, demonstration or an invited Guest Speaker. We usually finish with afternoon tea and time for a chat. A competition table is conducted at most meetings and all members are encouraged to enter, not simply for the competition aspect, but for the knowledge that may be gained by such involvement from feedback by our judges and experienced growers. The Competition Table provides an ideal opportunity to further knowledge on improving plant quality or overcoming difficulties and members accumulate points awarded toward Annual trophies in the Open, Intermediate and Novice categories. It is such a treat to see your own cultivar on display and a real personal reward for growers. A Trading Table is conducted prior to each meeting, from 1.15 pm to 1:45 pm. Members are provided with the opportunity to purchase or sell plants and/or supplies. The public can purchase plants in February and September at the Garden Clubs and Societies Fair held at South Perh Civic Centre. There is a Society Newsletter called Violet Talk which is sent to other African Violet Societies and Associations in Australia which has six editions each year commencing each February. The Violet Talk Newsletter can be accessed on line to members with a password to our Members Only section of the website. Members who have provided outstanding service during the year are presented with Certificates of appreciation at our Christmas Luncheon and winners of the monthly table competitions in the Open, Intermediate and Novice divisions are rewarded with trophies. Some of our members have been awarded Life Membership as an acknowledgement of their long association and contributions over many years to the Society. A highlight of the year is the Annual Show held on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday of the Mother’s Day weekend in May. It is currently held at the Kardinya Park Shopping Centre in Kardinya. The Awards include the Western Australian Horticutural Society's African Violet Championship Sash and the Western Australian Gesneriad Championship Sash sponsored by the WA Horticultural Council which are open to all growers in the State regardless if they are a member of our Society or not. Contact the Society's Secretary for more information. Entrants in these two categories do not have to be members of our Society. All other Open, Intermediate or Novice categories are open to members of the African Violet Society of WA Inc only. There are also beautiful perpetual trophies and also ribbons that are cherished by the respective major category winners. They include Queen of the Show, Princess of Miniatures, Princess of Gesneriads and Princess of African Violets plus many others. All of our members love coming to the meetings and hopefully you will too as we encourage people to visit us on one of the monthly Saturday afternoons that take up about 3 hours plus your travel time. Our current Patron is Geoff Richards who is from RICHGRO, a well known Australia wide gardening product company who is a lovely and generous man. We also have some excellent supporters from Garden City Plastics and Floraplant. |