Newsletter: June 2004
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IRIS SOCIETY Inc.
Editorial
New Venue: The society has held its first meeting in the Goodwood Community Centre and members voted it a very good venue with excellent lighting. The acoustics are very good and the venue is easy to set up for a meeting. It is hoped that this will be the venue for a long time to come.
In the garden: Most rhizomatous iris are in their winter phase with just a few showing rebloom stems which are very welcome at this time of year. Dutch iris are bobbing up now and Pam Hilton assures me they are very tasty to both rabbits and possums in her garden which is now decorated with interesting sculptures in wire netting. She is going to experiment with quassia spray to see if this bitter non toxic spray will deter the varmints.
From the club archives: The following show report written by John Turner was printed in the sixth club newsletter published in December 1992. This was the first time the show had been open to the public, previous competitive shows had been held at monthly meetings of the club. The show was in the Vermont Uniting Church Hall on Cross Road.
1992 IRIS SHOW REPORT
The first Iris Show presented by the S.A. Iris Society on Friday 6th November was an outstanding success. The Show was opened by Television and Radio personality Mike Keelan, who praised the Iris Society for putting on such a great first show.
Growers had spent many weeks of anxious concern wondering if enough blooms would be ready in a season that had been about the wettest on record. These fears were dispelled when sufficient sunshine gave the majority of exhibitors worthwhile entries to stage. There were 226 entries in green bottles, with eleven members exhibiting for the first time. The floral art looked very decorative and impressive for a first attempt, with 23 entries in modern and traditional arrangements.
Ian Barry from Dimboola, Victoria, judged the cuts and was very pleased to see the numbers staged, which made his job quite a task in some classes. In the final decision, Ian had a most difficult job choosing the Grand Champion Iris. He finally succumbed to a spike of “Song of Norway”, shown by Mel Macadam, President of the Society.
Mrs Myrtle Trimper of Toorak Gardens, S.A. had a shorter distance to travel to judge the floral art. She was assisted by her husband Eric and they enjoyed their task and were delighted with the standard and beauty of the arrangements, showing what can be done with irises. The Champion Arrangement was won by Mrs Julia Jacobs, who arranged the spuria iris “Golden Greetings” in a modern massed style.
Without a doubt the most outstanding feature of the show was the enthusiastic attitude of the members. The staging was on Thursday afternoon between 1 – 5pm, and was dismantled in half that time on Saturday when the show closed at 5.30pm, by a band of willing and happy growers.
The Trading Table, in the hands of Alan and June Toothill was most professionally organised and run (with needy assistance at times!!), in a friendly and congenial manner. Over $2000 was raised from named rhizomes donated by members, and this reflected the attitude of the public, who regard the iris as a very desirable plant for garden beauty.
Catalogues for local iris nurseries were on sale and this led the public to where varieties that were staged, but not for sale on show day, could be obtained.
Elaine Ward volunteered to run the kitchen duties, and capably organised the Judges’ and Show committee’s dinner and afternoon tea. Once again, everything ran like clockwork and Elaine had all in control at all times.
The media replied to our requests, and we had excellent coverage in the press, on television and with street banners. The public responded well to this and it was soon obvious that we could not manage such a large crowd with a one day show. The Mayor and Mayoress of the City of Marion consented to come and were delighted to have us use their council area for a show, commenting that the venue was extremely well sited and functional.
Minutes of the South Australian Iris Society meeting held 10th June 2004 in the Goodwood Community Centre
Meeting commenced at 7.42pm
Welcome: President Julia Jacobs welcomed those present with a special welcome to visitor Margaret Malthouse and guest speakers Neil and Pauline Smith.
Apologies: Betty Parsons, Sue Stribley, Graham Kuchel, Rosemary Turner, Pam and Peter Jackson, Doreen Churchill, Nell Tanner.
Minutes of the previous meeting as circulated – moved John Turner, seconded Ronda Burg that they be accepted as correct. Carried.
Correspondence in: Flier from New Zealand Iris Society for their 2005 Convention 2nd – 6th December 2005. Western Australian Society newsletter.
Business:
New venue:
· Management of this venue are very conscious of Occupational Health and Safety regulations and have made lifting and handling chairs and trestles easier by providing trolleys for this purpose.
· All trestles and chairs are to be stored correctly.
· Children are not permitted in the kitchen.
· Rubbish is to be removed from the premises and put in the large bin at rear.
· Floor must be dry mopped after meeting and trestles and chairs stored in correct places.
· A locked cupboard in the kitchen is shared by Iris Society and Centre Management.
· A locked drawer under the stage is for storing library and raffle gear.
· The newsletter distributed by the centre contains information on Iris Society meetings.
· Information fliers about our club can be left in the foyer for public.
· A first aid room is available for emergencies. Ambulance access is through the large Volley ball hall.
2006 Show:
It was decided unanimously to book the Goodwood Centre for the 2006 show. Cost previously quoted for 2 ½ days $802.50.
Library missing items: two videos on Arils and a book ‘The Gardeners Iris book’ by William Shear have not been returned. Moved Ronda Burg ‘that letters be sent to the members asking for the return within one month, if the items are not returned then an account be sent for the cost of replacing the items. Seconded M Kuchel Carried.
Moved Natalie Houba that we purchase a video of the 2004 Chelsea Garden Show. Seconded Pam Hilton Carried. Natalie to price at ABC shop and report to next meeting.
Judging workshop:
The workshop will be held on the weekend of 9th and 10th October 2004 with Helen Reid as presenter. It was agreed that the participants pay a fee to cover the cost of Helen’s airfare. A deposit of $10 per person participating will be charged. There will be no refunds. Please pay the treasurer at the July meeting.
Helen Reid will be asked to make the booking and advise the cost for reimbursing.
Program Saturday 9th October 9am - Bench judging at Julia Jacobs’ home. Sunday 10th October 10am – Garden judging at Marg Kuchel’s garden. Barbecue lunches with pooled salads etc each day.
The following people have indicated their interest in attending: John Pongrac, John Turner, Belinda Meredith, Pam Hilton, Ann Head, Colleen Modra, Sue Stribley, Ronda Burg, Nell Tanner, Marg Kuchel, Julia Jacobs, Jenny Kempe, Natalie Houba, Gwen Alexandrou. Marlene Gibson and Betty Parsons will only be able to attend day two as they are representing the society at the Salisbury Garden display on Saturday. Don Burg and Trevor Hilton have volunteered to man the barbecues.
Anyone else wishing to do the workshop is asked to contact Julia to register.
Gardening Australia Live in Adelaide: The committee has decided not to participate in this show as it is expensive and a lot of rhizomes are needed for the convention show later in the year, however the organisers will be asked to keep us in mind for the following year.
December social dinner: The Goodwood Community Centre is already booked for December 9th. The committee suggested that a pooled lunch be held on December 12th in a member’s garden. Sue Stribley will be asked if she would host the event. If Sue is not able to it is possible that it could be held Jacobs’ or Kuchel’s. Carried unanimously.
Birthdays: Ronda Burg was given a card signed by all present. Rosemary Turner had a birthday the previous week. Best wishes and Happy Birthday to you both.
Show and tell:
Julia Jacobs had cuts of rebloomers Orange Plume, Victoria Falls and Feedback .
Ann Head showed a floret of a brown bitone seedling (Earl of Essex X Electrique).
John Turner showed an antique plate in ‘art noveau’ porcelain with an orange background featuring an iris, bird and butterfly design in the Japanese style which belonged to his grandmother, Pauline Moeller in the 1930s.
Marg Kuchel had cuts of a Japanese seedling (fuchsia and white double) rebloomer and unguicularis and an article in English Woman’s Weekly on an antique iris vase.
Pam Hilton showed a plastic carry bag with iris motif from Broken Hill.
Belinda Meredith showed some ceramic coasters and trinket boxes she has made featuring irises. She is also able to make a vase. Belinda will take orders and can decorate them in your choice of colours.
Next meeting: Mike Moore will tell us how to attract butterflies to our gardens.
Meeting closed at 9.25pm.
Guest speakers – Neil and Pauline Smith told us of their experience of ‘Life in Japan’.
Neil is employed as a teacher of Japanese and has made several trips to Japan as part of his work. The most recent trip was last year when he and Pauline spent some time working in Japan.
As they did not take any slides of their trip Pauline enquired about getting photos enlarged to illustrate their talk. The cost was prohibitive (about $230 for the photos selected) so Neil borrowed some excellent photos, from school resources, of life in Japan.
Photos were grouped on chairs in different topics and members were asked to form small groups and move around to look at the various photos. These depicted typical homes, gardens, landscapes, eating out, foods and shops.
When everyone had seen some of the photos Neil and Pauline showed us a typical house and its furnishings. Floors are covered in thick padded tatame mats, furniture is minimal with most families sitting on the floor to eat at low tables. Some of these have heaters built under them and are on padded cloth to warm legs in winter. Toilets are either very low to squat over or a normal height (for us) with extra gadgets to squirt the anatomy with warm water then blow warm air to dry it. When the toilet flushes water runs into a basin on top to wash hands then is used to flush the toilet.
Bathrooms have a bath (similar to our spas without the jets) which is most often kept full of warm water which can be heated in the bath to the required temperature. The same water is often used for all the family. Before getting in the bath the body is scrubbed all over and hair shampooed then all soap is thoroughly rinsed out before stepping into the bath to relax. Baths outside are often beautifully landscaped with waterfalls and plants. There are public baths, often at naturally heated spas, with large segregated rooms for ladies and gentlemen to wash themselves before relaxing naked in the communal baths. These are used as a weekend relaxing getaway and people often eat at the restaurant attached wearing dressing gowns before returning to the bath for another soak. Once a year on, ‘Children’s’ day’, they put bunches of iris leaves in the bath for the children.
Kitchens have no ovens, only hot plates as no-one does and baking. The sinks are huge with no plugs as all dishes are washed under running water. The Japanese do not like the soap residue on plates as they can smell it when eating.
Bedrooms mostly have no beds. Thin futons are rolled out at night to sleep on the tatame floor and stored in cupboards during the day. Some homes have living rooms similar to ours but most people tend to sit on the floor to watch TV.
Gardens are tiny, often only 2 or 3 square feet beside a door but are immaculate with a carefully shaped azalea or bonsai as a focal point. Moss plants are very popular. Pine trees are pruned by experts to maintain their natural shape with the underside of branches carefully trimmed. To have enough room to grow a pine tree is to be wealthy. A World Heritage Monastery garden is of raked gravel with seven rock clusters carefully placed so that it is not possible to see all seven from any one point. Plants are kept to the minimum and ‘borrowed landscape’ (in this case a cherry tree on the other side of the wall) is incorporated in the design. Gardens are very spiritual and made for meditating. Zen philosophy is important in the garden with the elements of air, fire, earth, water and nothingness represented by space and position of features.
Japan is very modern and at the same time very traditional with the same human values we have for peace and conservation.
Schools are run by local councils from primary to year 9. There are also many private schools. Children walk to school with older students and sometimes staff walking along collecting groups of younger students on the way and escorting them to school. At school everyone leaves their shoes in the entrance area and puts on slippers for the day. Students are at school at 7am. Lessons are 50 minutes with a 10 minute break before the next lesson. Calligraphy is an important subject teaching beauty and art in writing. Students don’t take food to school, lunches are served there by the student groups after being prepared in a kitchen. At the end of each day the students clean and tidy the classrooms with help from the staff. Students are very accepting of the rules and while they don’t like cleaning up they do it anyway. After the clean up there are club activities such as sport training, but not usually matches, until 6pm when the students go home but the staff stay on until 9 or 10pm.
Food: there are lots of cheap eating places near stations which are vast. There are also more expensive eating places. Meat is served in very small slivers so although it is expensive 500 grams will serve six people. Beef is heavily marbled with fat and cooked very quickly and is delicious. The small serve means that no one eats a lot of fat.
Japan is a very safe place for children and people are honest, respectful and friendly. A bag left on a train will still be in the same place when the train gets to the end of the line! Public transport is very cheap for visitors who can but a one or two week pass and take unlimited rides in the time paid for. It is much dearer for the locals.
Women do not work outside the home but control the family money. (A man can only have a mistress if his wife gives him enough pocket money!)
Neil and Pauline recommend Japan as a holiday destination well worth visiting and intend to return there.
John Turner thanked Neil and Pauline for a very interesting presentation and gave them a small gift in appreciation.
