Flower show marks milestone
North Sydney Garden Club holds 50th annual rose and flower show
Gardening has always been a huge part of Yvonne Johnstone’s life.
From the time she was a little girl, Johnstone always found herself in the garden, helping her mother and father grow different plants and vegetables.
Johnstone remained an active gardener into her 20s after marrying a farmer, which led to having a bigger area to grow different things.
Today, the 89-year-old continues to be active in her garden, planting her favourite flowers each year.
Johnstone participated in the North Sydney Garden Club 50th annual rose and flower show at the Royal Canadian Legion in North Sydney on Tuesday.
“I don’t have the entries I once had because we’re in an apartment now, but I still get up and plant each year,” said Johnstone.
Johnstone has been part of the North Sydney Garden Club for the past 58 years. She is one of the longest serving members in the club and is a qualified flower show judge.
This year, Johnstone entered three flowers in the show and although she didn’t win in a category it didn’t stop her from enjoying the day.
“You always have one or two people that think one flower is better than another but for me it’s not about winning, it’s about being able to enjoy other peoples flowers and spend a day talking with friends.”
This year’s annual rose and flower show featured 95 entries. Dona Benac, president of the North Sydney Garden Club, said the group is considering the event a success.
“Everybody who came in was very pleased with the flowers and arrangements, especially the children’s arrangements, people were very pleased to see so many,” said Benac.
Among the 14 categories in this year’s show, two had no entries, including the dinning room and theme categories, something Benac was disappointed to see.
“We’re a little bit disappointed, especially in the theme category,” said Benac. “The theme is always the hardest one to do because it really
takes a lot of imagination, but sometimes people just don’t have a lot of time or they don’t have enough flowers to do it.”
Benac (foliage only and bright and beautiful), Bibiane Lessard (challenge and hope blooms) and Ursula Dufour (unusual container and the great outdoors) each won two awards in their respective categories.
Gordon Sampson took home an award in the roses category, including winning the best rose in the show honours. He also had the most points. Patsy MacKenzie was awarded the best specimen in show, while Dufour was selected for the best
arrangement.
Benac said about 50 people attended the public viewing in the afternoon.
“In the past few years we have had the show during Bartown Days, which meant more people being around and looking for things to do, so that could be a reason for the low numbers,” she said.
Benac was pleased to have Johnstone participating in the show’s milestone anniversary.
“She is a very big inspiration to us,” said Benac. “Over the years she has given us a lot of knowledge and she has shared many tips and secrets that she has learned over the years, so to see here there was amazing.”
As for Johnstone, she hopes to be around for the 100th anniversary of the rose and flower show.
“I don’t know about that,” laughed Johnstone. “The brain matter gets thinner every year, but I certainly would like to be here for that milestone.”