By Ethan Benedicto
As the Melbourne CBD was packed with crowds over the Grand Final, it wasn’t the only event that saw an enormous turnout, with the Berwick Orchids Club’s 29 September Spring Show.
Over 600 people attended the event, and according to president Murray Harding, was “the best show we’ve ever had”.
“The major good moment for me was that we had around 40 membership applications, and when you consider that this club’s got around 70 members, that’s massive.”
Colours from red, yellow, purple and a blend of everything in between adorned the event, showering guests with a lush aroma that filled the air.
Each orchid presented itself with its own name, given to it by its owners, each ensured to fit its character from its diverse and intricate blooms.
There was also a series of categories to be won throughout the event, showcasing some of the most illustrious blends of sophistication and and elegance.
“The way this club operates is that we don’t have a green champion orchid,” Murray said.
“It might sound silly but there’s a good reason for it, there are a lot of different genera in orchids and you’ve got plants like cattleyas that can be quite large and things like Australian natives that can be quite small.
“When you get to the end and you’ve got a series of champions that need to be judged, and you try to pick amongst them for the best, you’re really not comparing eggs with eggs.
“What we do is we have champions in their respective genres, and as far as I’m concerned that makes an awful lot of sense.”
Looking ahead, the club is also looking to hold their orchid auction on 27 October, with Murray more than keen to showcase the club’s orchid collection and for the local community to come and indulge in them.
