Kaleidoscope of colour
Qld’s biggest camellia show begins
TWELVE months in the planning, thousands of volunteer hours in preparation and the big event, the 2018 Camellia Show and Garden Expo, gets under way tomorrow and Sunday.
Over the next two days thousands of garden lovers from across Australia and beyond will descend upon the TAFE Toowoomba campus in Campbell St to celebrate Queensland’s largest Camellia Show.
The famous Joan Falvey Camellia Hall will become a kaleidoscope of unimaginable colour as thousands of blooms, of what is arguably the world’s favourite flower, come together for this two-day extravaganza.
However, colourful committee member Greg Johnson reckons that’s just the beginning of a stunning garden lover’s weekend.
He said: “There’s so much to see and so much to do I simply don’t think two days is enough.
“Front of program are three internationally-regarded experts who will deliver 10 contrasting presentations, backto-back, throughout the show.
“Camellia expert Dr Stephen Utick will provide two major presentations on camellias and has asked visitors to bring along specimens from their gardens for identification and cataloguing.
“Show favourite Claire Bickle from Gardening for the Good Life and ABC Gardening Australia’s garden guru Phil Dudman will be at their entertaining best and will leave visitors dreaming about major garden makeovers in their own patch.”
A major feature of this camellia celebration is the winter garden of Pat and Maryanne Lovett at 10 Granada Drive, Highfields which visitors can see directly or hop on the Toowoomba sightseeing bus which will leave each day from TAFE.
Committee President Kevin Cotterell agreed it would be a busy weekend.
“Camellias are certainly the focus but visitors can also anticipate a 50-strong exhibitor presence, non-stop entertainment from local acts, local fruit and vegetables, gardening
tools and equipment, food court and car club displays – something for everyone.”