Since then we have grown from strength to strength. Our objectives are to encourage, improve and extend the cultivation of the rose in Australia by means of exhibitions, publications and co-ordination of all State Rose Societies and by other means as the Society shall from time to time decree.

Our website has only been recently established (September 2003) and through it we intend to develop it over time as another means for our Society to meet its' objectives.

Please provide feedback on any views or thoughts you may have about the Society in general or what you would like see on this website. This can be done through any of the e-mail links within this website.

President's Message for 2009

It is indeed a great honour to be able to represent the Rose Societies of Australia as President.

My love for flowers and roses started at a young age as my dad always maintained a beautiful garden of dahlias, zinnias and roses back in South Africa.

The interest I now have in roses began at the local Penrith Show in 1987  when I staged my father’s roses with great success.  Needless to say the next growing season my husband, Doug, and I planted our first twenty or so rose bushes and so the love affair began in earnest.  From that point on my dad and I became keen exhibitors at various shows with competition being fierce between father and daughter.

As President I would like to encourage members to attend National Conferences, take on administrational roles within your regions and try your hand at exhibiting.

Although many of you may not have a competitive nature, exhibiting is a great way to learn to grow roses at another level and it is not as daunting as you may feel it is.  As an exhibitor you are exposed to a wealth of knowledge, which when used, takes your rose garden to heights you did not think possible.  Other positive aspects of exhibiting include the creation of new friendships and simply having a great day out with a terrific bunch of people.

Promotion of Australian-bred roses is not a new concept, but I would like to encourage all rose lovers to plant at least one Australian-bred rose and support our local hybridizers.

Many of you are volunteers who take on various roles.  At times you may find it hard to keep up the enthusiasm for various reasons, but you are extremely important to the rose society.  A few years ago Australia celebrated the “Year of the Volunteer” – I believe we should acknowledge our volunteers each and every year, as you are the back-bone of our society.

A special thank you needs to go to South Australia for a wonderful ten days when they hosted the World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Conference and the National Conference for 2008.  The hospitality and organization was outstanding to say the least.

I would like to congratulate my predecessor, Peter Burton, for his year as National President. 

The Rose Society of NSW Inc. and the Illawarra Regional will host the National Conference in Kiama in 2009 and you are invited one and all to attend and enjoy our hospitality.  I personally look forward to meeting up with old friends and new from all over Australia.

May you always have time to smell the roses.

Glynis Hayne

National AGM and Conference - 2009

Kiama, NSW, 24th, 25th October 2009

Phone National Secretary for details

Click on Vancouver Convention in LINKS