Newsletter: January 2005
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN IRIS SOCIETY Inc.
Editorial
This will be my last Newsletter as I have too many other commitments at present to continue with the job. I have enjoyed keeping everyone up to date with events in the Iris Society and wish my successor all the best in the position.
It is amazing how quickly 2004 passed with all its ups and downs, problems and triumphs.
There have been two changes to the meeting venues since the last AGM with meetings now being held in the Goodwood Community Centre, a pleasant venue with good facilities and lighting.
2005 Convention
The 2005 Committee has been working hard on planning the convention with all the garden visits, the tour of the Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island and the show gradually taking shape. One major change has been made necessary after the announcement in the press that a planning application to change the Adelaide International Hotel to luxury apartments has been lodged with the Adelaide City Council.
Due to the uncertainty of the availability of the venue for accommodating our guests and for the forums and dinners the committee searched for another suitable venue and found The Lakes Resort Hotel at West Lakes which is able to provide the facilities we require in a very attractive location.
Social meeting at Yarrabee
A very enjoyable luncheon was held at Yarrabee, home and garden of Sue and Geoff Stribley at One Tree Hill on December 12th. On the Thursday before the luncheon Yarrabee was hit by a thunder storm which dumped 30ml of rain on the garden in 20 minutes. The top wall of the tennis court was turned into a cascade, a river raced through the series of small ponds and the picnic area turned to a lake. A large amount of mulch disappeared and many irises were washed out with their labels moved downstream.
Sue and Geoff worked frantically to repair the damage before we visited on Sunday and the garden looked wonderful when we arrived.
With more rain on the day, the luncheon was held under the carport instead of in the picnic area as planned. The pooled food was delicious and most of us enjoyed a stroll around this lovely garden in between showers.
Some excitement occurred when the Turner’s car became lodged on a tree stump in a parking area. Some lateral thinking by some practical men resulted in the car being jacked up and the stump removed with a chainsaw. The stump was added to Stribley’s wood supply and the car was parked safely.
Thankyou Sue and Geoff for allowing us to visit your lovely garden and for all the extra work you had to do so unexpectedly.
This year (2005) the club has been invited to hold the Social meeting in December at Impressive Irises, home of Colleen and Les Modra at Charleston.
Next meeting: The Annual General Meeting at 7pm on February 10th 2005 at the Goodwood Community Centre, 32-34 Rosa St Goodwood. Guest Speaker will be Colleen Modra showing the rest of her American convention photos.
