WildFlowers Australia

WildFlowers Australia is a company formed by a leading group from the Wildflower Industry, with representation from all States of Australia. It has as one of its main objectives (see menu), to enhance the profitability and viability of the Australian grown Wildflower Industry.

Its membership is primarily drawn from growers and grower organisations across Australia. These growers produce floriculture crops based on Australian Native flowers and foliages as well as selections from South African proteaceae. WildFlowers Australia has been formed to provide a Peak Industry Body endorsed by and able to claim true representation of Wildflower Growers across the nation. 

This representation will enable the Board to collate and prioritise the views, concerns and wildflower industry development opportunities of its membership and where appropriate, present outcome based plans to Government and its associated agencies at the highest level.

The Board will also endeavour to solve many of the problems facing the various Australian wildflower industry organisations (both small and large) in today's marketplace, both nationally and internationally. It will achieve this by ensuring the involvement of membership in brokering win-win outcomes where previously it had been difficult to find industry consensus.

WildFlowers Australia will also enable the human and data capacity to create better outcomes for the industry. Clearer focus on shared goals and better resourcing will lead to efficiencies in marketing, research, product development, supply chain management and ongoing partnering with Government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Rural Industries and Research Corporation (RIRDC).

Finally, WildFlowers Australia will, as an organisation of and for growers, recognise and embrace the importance of  their close supply chain partners. WildFlowers Australia will faciltiate outstanding efficiency in communication between these members and their supporting businesses/organisations, whether that be at a commercial level or through liason with Government. 

The inaugrual Board Members of WildFlowers Australia Limited are;

Nina Foulkes-Taylor  West Australia

John Daykin  West Australia

Dale Turner  South Australia

John McBride  South Australia

Ulla Knox-Little  Tasmania

Audrey Gerber  Victoria

Martin Sayers  Victoria

Tim Bailey  New South Wales

Paul Dalley  New South Wales

Mark Irwin  Queensland

Lodi Pameijer Queensland (now resigned to take up the position of Executive Officer)

Louise Lee Queensland

 

 

 

At the Annual General Meeting held at the ACLH Centre in Cleveland in Queensland the members present elected a Board of Directors for the coming year.  

Nine Board Members are required with no more that 3 from one state or territory.  From the elected Board Members the following are selected by ballot amongst Board Members;  

·   President - Tim Bailey NSW  

·   Vice President - Audrey Gerber VIC  

·   Secretary – Louise Lee QLD 

·   Treasurer – Mark Irwin QLD  

·   Committee Member -  Dale Turner SA  

·   Committee Member - Martin Sayers VIC  

·   Committee Member - Paul Dalley NSW  

·   Committee Member – Nina Foulkes-Taylor WA  

·   Committee Member – Sue Betteridge WA  

Tim Bailey, in his report recognised the contributions made by the steering committee since they committed their time and expertise to the progression of WildFlowers Australia Ltd.  He went on to say “We have achieved large amounts in such a short time together. Not the least of these have been the defining of our responsibilities as Board and Steering Committee members; reshaping the constitution; creating a fledgling website; establishing an early business plan and performing a SWOT analysis on the Board as it stands. This last activity has provided enlightening but not surprising results, confirming the Industry situation with regard to a shortage of people with an orientation favoring promotion, research and development. 

The Board has resolved to build on the level of cohesiveness already developed by planning to conduct Board Meetings in several States in an effort to continue to engage with members and prospective members.  The next face to face meeting is planned for November 2007 in WA and in February 2008 in NSW.  The other monthly meetings are planned and will be conducted by conference call with extensive use made of email to distribute relevant information.  

Enhancing the profitability of Australian business enterprises engaged in the production and sales of Australian native flowers and foliages and South African proteaceae is a major focus for the board.  With the current strength of the AUD our challenge as an industry will be increase the value of the flowers and foliages we export.  The Board will focus its attention in two main areas; one is to leverage opportunities to promote the valuable and creative use of Australian grown Wildflowers and the second one is to help producers meet the customer’s expectation for quality of the product that deserves to be the number one choice for top of the range florists.  

The board recognized the contribution of Life Members and two people were nominated for the receipt of Honorary memberships for 2007/08 year in recognition of their significant and valuable contribution to the industry.  These were Bettina Gollnow from DPI NSW and Shane Holborn DPI&F Queensland. 

For more information about the benefits that WildFlowers Australia may offer you please visit our website www.wildflowersaustralia.com.au