P.O. Box 155 CABOOLTURE Qld Australia 4510
Ph: (07) 5498 7757; Fax: (07) 5498 7973; Email hsq@hibiscus.org.au

Special Occasions 2001

Thora Reardon Memorial Field Day
and 8th Birthday Party for the Hibiscus Society of Queensland Inc.
Venue: Home of President, Gynith Whatmough, at Morayfield

President, Gynith welcomed all and the speakers soon presented their items - all under shelter because of the rain.

Steve Craig gave an informative talk on water: watering the garden - how water is used by the plant - how soils use water - evaporation, transpiration, availability for the plant's roots, etc.

Patron, Colin Campbell (T.V. host and presenter from Gardening Australia) led a general garden talk - sprays and how not to abuse them - predatory mites - fertilisers - garden myths - their next trip is to South Africa - with lots of questions and answers.

Gynith presented Colin and Bev Campbell with a Double Date plant as thank you for their sevices.

The picnic lunch was just over before the storm struck.
Michael Raabe, assisted by Pat Reardon, judged the Blooms.
Colin and Bev cut the birthday cake: Colin was handed a cane knife - machete to cut the Birthday cake as a joke. It definitely was not needed. The cake was made, iced and donated by Mrs Dell Humpherys - delicious, the cake, that is!

Winners of the bloom judging were announced and presented with certificates and trophies.
The perpetual shield - Thora Reardon Memorial Trophy was won by Richard Mansbridge with his Aussie Gold (his own hybridizing success!).

Mike Raabe, our flower judge, talked about picking, pre-judging and displaying blooms for competition as his planned garden walk and talk was rained out.

Members Draws: $20 gift voucher each - won by John Hutchinson, Roma Pelgrave and .... need I ask! Gynith.

Raffles:  Money tree (Fantasy Charm) and Scratchies won by Muriel Box
               Standard Hibiscus won by Avryl Hutchinson
               Cloths Hanger won by Richard.
               West Moreton branch drew their raffle of a pendant in a hand crafted box - won by Marguerite Handley.

Rain continued most of the afternoon. Patrons Colin & Bev Campbell stayed most of the day.