Wauchope wild about wildflower weekend
Monday 7th November 2005
Richard Go, international botanic architect and floral designer, delighted and entertained industry and general public alike over the weekend with his unique floral arrangements which featured locally grown flowers and foliage.
On Saturday afternoon, after working with a group of students from Wauchope and Taree TAFE campuses, Mr Go produced over 20 arrangements in front of nearly 50 florists, growers and students, explaining, as he went, the important features of the arrangements and demonstrating a range of his special skills.
Paul Smith, Head Teacher Horticulture at Wauchope Campus said that the students found the experience invaluable. “The arrangements that they produced with Richard showed that they had developed their skills extensively just in a couple of hours,” Mr Smith said. “Like everyone else, they were instantly engaged by Richard’s energy, enthusiasm and humour and the end result is clearly there to see.”
A group of around 60 people made up of florists, flower growers, TAFE staff and floristry students from the mid-North Coast took part in a networking opportunity on Saturday evening, with drinks and dinner held at Wauchope RSL.
On Sunday a public showing of around 40 floral arrangements at Wauchope RSL attracted over 300 people, and the arrangements were either sold by silent auction (with the proceeds going to charity) or donated to the RSL and local nursing homes.
The floral demonstrations program was made possible through the partnership of three state government agencies – NSW Department of Primary Industries, NSW Department of State and Regional Development and TAFE NSW-North Coast Institute (through its Wauchope Campus). The support of regional flower growers and Temples Floristry Supplies is also gratefully acknowledged. The floriculture and horticulture industry is growing on the North Coast, and the region supports a thriving flower export industry.
The organisers hope that, as a result of this event, more locally grown flowers will be sold throughout the region's florist shops, as more local consumers become aware of the range and quality of flowers grown in the Mid North Coast.
