Newsletter: September 2003
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IRIS SOCIETY Inc.
EDITORIAL
September surely is the 'month of the gales' this year. The irises battle on gamely and it is surprising how many spikes remain upright. There are some that have tipped over but far less than I expected. One advantage of the wind must be that the fungal spores that cause spotting are not able to remain on the leaves long enough to get started so my irises look nice and spot free. I have had reports from other growers of a nice lot of buds starting to show so there should be plenty of blooms for the show (if the wind drops a bit).
Floral Art
Julia's demonstration of ten arrangements was inspiring for those of us who saw it. For those who missed it, it was amazing what Julia was able to do with very few blooms and some very imaginative frames of sticks, bark, wood, leaves and dried material to show how to get an idea, song title or interpretation across with flowers. We would like as many floral art entries as you can create for the show. The idea is as important as the arrangement and flowers must convey what the title suggests. This is not as hard as I used to think and the suggestions Julia has provided for us to use make it even easier. Be brave and enter an arrangement.
Club Iris Garden
There are lots of iris plants being grown for the club at Mitterer's - five beds of them. At present Dian is having a lot of problems with her back and is unable to do any gardening. Herb is overwhelmed with weeds after all the rain and desperately needs help to weed the club beds. If anyone is able to spend some time at Gawler weeding, Di and Herb will be delighted to see you on the long weekend or the weekends after that.
In the week preceding the show we need volunteers to dig, trim, label and wash rhizomes for the show. Dian will be at home that week to prepare for the show. If you can help with either the weeding or the digging please ring Di or Herb evenings on 8522 4626 to arrange a time. Please do not ring after 8pm as the Mitterers are very early risers.
Club History
Do you have any photos of previous shows held by the society? Julia has donated some photo albums and is trying to create a history of the society. If you can lend a photo it can be copied for inclusion.
Speakers
The October speaker will be Ivar Schmidt, and Carol too if her mother is well enough. Ivar will conduct a judging class which all should join. November is the meeting after the show when the trophies and awards are presented to the winners. It will also be the meeting after the Western Australian Convention and Peter Jackson has suggested that those attending should give a report on the event - hopefully with lots of photos.
Next Year
More suggestions for speakers next year are:- Sophie Thompson, Michelle Size - camellias and John Hall from Newmans Camellia nursery. If you have any more suggestions please let the committee know as not all the suggested speakers will be able to visit us and we would like to get the program for next year finalized soon.
Minutes of the September 11, 2003 Meeting.
Apologies: Ivar Schmidt, Gwen Alexandrou, Pat Toolan, Brett Draper, Rosemary Turner, Peggie Lane, Joy Maxwell, Margaret Douglass.
Mail: Clare Garden Club, Enfield Horticulture Club, Salvia and Herb Society, S.A Bonsai Society. Peter Nelson Leukemia Fellowship, Australian plant Society S.A Region, Friends of the Botanic Gardens, Garden Clubs of Australia, S.A Cottage Garden Club. British Iris Society, W.A Newsletter.
Treasurer's report: Income for August was $117.05 expenses $120.30 leaving $2,169.71 in the cheque account. The cash management account balance is $7,594.30 and the 2005 account received $1.18 interest and now stands at $1,491.88. Petty cash on hand is $47.30 with the club net worth at 30/8/03 $11,302.01
Business: The Australian Iris Society will hold this year's A G M in Perth
A I S positions vacant- President, Year Book Editor, Registrar (Helen Reid is happy to continue)
Delegates to represent South Australia Iris Society at the Australian Iris Society AGM
Pam Jackson, John Turner, Margaret Douglass
Stand in Delegates- Gwen Alexandrou, Natalie Houba, and Peter Jackson.
Show Committee: Everything is progressing nicely. The show signs are being made, advertising of the show has been sent into the Advertiser. Members are scattering fliers around Adelaide and districts, fliers and passes for the show have been mailed to clubs around Adelaide. Sponsorships for prize winners are still slowly coming in. Sashes and trophies for champions have been purchased.
The Caterers, who did the catering at previous shows, will not be able to cater this year. We will approach the Unley High School Home Economics class to see if they would like to do the catering this year, if not we will approach one of the Church Catering Groups.
Anne Pillay has asked some members from an Art Group, if they would like to display their Iris Theme Art in the front foyer, response has been good.
We intend to have an Information Person will be in attendance, we have asked Darrelle if she would like to take on that role and are waiting to hear from Darrelle, other volunteers will be welcome for this job too.
2005 Convention Committee: Had no report this meeting
Show and Tell: Anne Pillay A smoky lavender, lemon centre with brown veining Iris Germanica and a dark purple Germanica Form with 2 standards and 3 falls, quite unusual but quaint.
John Turner A lovely 2004 calendar with a beautiful picture of a Tall Bearded Iris on the front cover. John brought the calendar from Dymocks
Commission Sales at November meeting: Members are invited to bring iris rhizomes to the November meeting for sale on the Trading table with the club to receive $2 per plant from proceeds.
