Historic hall blooms as a show setting

CHRIS Smith has retained his champion chrysanthemum crown in a major show at Laanecoorie that had record entries at the weekend.

Hundreds ventured to the town’s hall where Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria president Don Rickerby praised the Bendigo Goldfields Chrysanthemum Club for staging a top show in a great community setting.

Mr Smith and fellow organiser, Laanecoorie’s Graeme Cain, said the introduction of unregistered variety chrysanthemum sections had helped boost entries.

“This has encouraged more home gardeners to be part of the show,” said another organiser Peter Greenshield.

Mr Smith took the Australian championship title for a second year with Mr Cain second.

He also won the Neutrog Championship, the Ken Stent Memorial and the Arthur Graeves Challenge while Mr Cain was awarded the Ken Judd Memorial for best bloom in the show. The pair also won a swag of individual section ribbons.

Merv Rushton was awarded the novice championship from Roger Dunn who won best dahlia in Show.

Lyn Holt won best exhibit in vase of not disbudded chrysanthemums and best in horticulture vases.

Brenda Leed won best exhibit in cactus/succulents and best giant pumpkin.

Other successful exhibitors included Elaine Jones - best harvest basket, best fruit, vegetable/eggs; Pat Saunders - best exhibit in pot plants and in beginner’s floral art; Joanne O’Brien the floral art championship; Kristina Forbes.

In the children’s section, Madison Jones, 13, was first in five sections, Shelby Jones was first in floral mask and necklace.