FROM THE NEWSPAPERS - 1945 - The Yallourn Flower Show - Nursery Horticultural Society

THE YALLOURN FLOWER SHOW
In May this year (2015), under the heading ‘Zygocactus Survives’, Inge Meldgaard posted a fitting tribute to Wilma and Ralph Wicks, her mother (Elna Lerche) and other residents of Yallourn for the interest and pride that was shown in the flower and vegetable gardens of homes in the town. In her article, Inge wrote…
“This is a tribute to both Wilma and Ralph Wicks, wonderful people who were my former parents-in-law, and also a tribute to the gardeners of Yallourn, who in its heyday created such a lovely, well-kept town...and finally, a tribute to my mother, Elna Lerche, a keen gardener, who passed away in 2006.”
Despite the industrial backdrop, constant clouds of heavy smoke and the ever-present challenges (sometimes dangers) caused by coal dust, Yallourn was a unique ‘garden town.’
Yallourn boasted some of the most beautiful home gardens in Australia; and bearing in mind that the homes in the township were rented from the SECV, their upkeep was exceptional. Such standards of gardening were understandable when the viewpoints and philosophies of Ebenezer Howard, Walter Burley Griffin and Sir John Monash are taken into account…
“Yallourn was planned by A.R. La Gerche, the State Electricity Commission’s Architect. The design of Yallourn incorporated lessons learnt from the early UK garden cities such as Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth Garden City which were inspired by Ebenezer Howard. Walter Burley Griffin also drew on similar sources for his designs.“ From: YOGA www.yallourn.org
Sir John Monash’s strong influence is apparent in the planning of the town. In 1920 he said that…
“…he favoured the adoption of the design and planning of a Garden Town to be called Yallourn.” Meredith Fletcher.
Sir John Monash was unequivocal about the importance of well-maintained home gardens in Yallourn. In July 1926, Sir John wrote a letter to every resident of Yallourn, which included the following…
“…and a point of duty for every occupier to see that his home and garden are not allowed to be or become an eye sore or an offence to his neighbours but should, as soon as possible, be beautified by being kept scrupulously tidy and by the planting of trees, shrubs , flowers and climbing plants.” ‘Yallourn Was’ Page: 52.
Town and home gardens were a significant part of Sir John’s vision for Yallourn and in the SEC’s report related to the establishment of township at Yallourn, it states that …“the gardens which residents will be encouraged to make and keep in order.”
To support the interesting comments made by Inge Meldgaard, on the Virtual Yallourn website, the following report of the 1945 Yallourn Flower Show has been unearthed and posted. The details of the 1945 Flower Show were published in ‘The Morwell Advertiser and Gazette’ the results of various sections of the show are listed below.
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November 15th 1945 Morwell Advertiser Page: 4
Flower Show at Yallourn.
Members of the Yallourn Horticultural Society have reason to be proud of the splendid display staged recently. The quality and variety of blooms exhibited produced a wealth of colours that even experts were impressed.
Results were:
• Best bowl (popular vote): Mrs. Sherry 1, Mr. Passey 2.
• Collection of cut flowers: Mrs. Sherry 1, Mrs. Brown 2.
• Three vases of roses: Mrs. Cannon 1, Mrs. Rusden 2.
• Three roses: Mrs. Rusden 1, Mrs. Hayward 2.
• Six vases cut flowers: Mrs. Needham 1.
• Three vases cut flowers: Mrs. Brown 1, Mrs. Evans 2.
• Vase cut flowers: Mrs. Passey 1, Mrs. Anderson 2.
• Three sorts flowering shrubs: Mrs. Brown 1, Mrs. Anderson 2.
• Vase flowering shrubs: Mrs. Sherry 1, Mrs. Brown 2.
• Lupins: Mrs. Evans and Mrs. Clifton equal first.
• Sweet peas: Mrs. Hoffman 1, Mrs. French 2.
• Pansies: Mrs. Ashmead 1.
• Antirrhinum: Mrs. Menadue 1.
• Stocks: Mrs. Hoffman 1, H. James 2.
• Iris: Mrs. Anderson 1, Mrs. Stanbury 2.
• Iceland poppies: Mrs. Brown 1, Mrs. Passey 2.
• Mixed cut flowers: Mrs. Sherry 1, Mrs. Hayward 2.
• Bowl of roses: Mrs. Needham 1, Mrs. Brown 2.
• Sweet peas: Mrs.: Mullane 1, Mrs. French 2.
• Pansies: Mr. Trusler 1, Mrs. Clifton 2.
• Bowl to harmonise: Mrs. Hayward 1, Mrs. Rusden.2.
• Vegetables: Mrs. Anderson 1.
• One variety vegetable: Mr. T. Hill 1, Mrs. Stanbury 2.
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NOTES ON THE NEWSPAPER REPORT…
1. The following quote is taken from ‘To Yallourn with Love’ …
“During the war years (1940-44) gardens were turned over to vegetables and people were encouraged to ‘grow their own’; the society (VHS) brought lime and fertilizer which were sold to members at wholesale prices.” Page: 43.
2. According to one source, in the early days the Autumn and Spring
Horticultural shows were held in the Guide Hall (in Office Place) but because of the restrictions on the use of halls, caused by Wartime regulations, the shows were later held in Foster’s Garage showroom.
3. It is recorded that the best (winning) home gardens were presented with a special medallion known as the Royal Horticultural Society Fawkner Medal. John Pascoe Fawkner (1792- 1869) was the founder of the Victorian Horticultural Society.
4. It is difficult to uncover a list of Fawkner Medal winners but mention is made of certain Yallourn residents in connection to the award in the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ (20th March 1947...page 6). Unfortunately, the poor condition of the newspaper print makes deciphering the names of the Yallourn residents impossible.
5. According to Prue McGoldrick, Life Memberships of the Yallourn and District Horticultural Society were awarded to the following local identities…Mr and Mrs ‘Jock’ Lawson, Mr and Mrs Bill Needham, Mr and Mrs Reg Stevens, Mr and Mrs Baird and Mr B. Spackman.
6. Walter Burley Griffin (1876- 1937) was born in the USA but won fame throughout Australia for designing the city of Canberra.
7. Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928) is known…
“…for his publication Garden Cities of To-morrow (1898), the description of a utopian city in which man lives harmoniously together with the rest of nature. The publication led to the founding of the Garden City movement, that realized several Garden Cities in Great Britain at the beginning of the Twentieth Century.” www.planetizen.com
The above extract from the ‘Morwell Advertiser’ has been transcribed in good faith. Changes in font and spacing have been made to enhance the article for posting on the Virtual Yallourn Website. Our apologies for the incorrect spelling of any family names when transcribing the above results from the original copy of the newspaper.