Walking on the Wildside
A Stunning Success!
The event was held at East Coast Wildflowers (ECW) on the NSW Central Coast on Saturday September 6. There was quite a buzz all day with people hugely excited to be part of something special - many made new connections while others delighted in catching up with friends and colleagues.
Craig Scott (from ECW) provided the following commentary on the event during a special on-line screening for WFA members of event highlights filmed by FloristBank TV:
A large selection of wildflower products was set up at the front of the venue beside the stage to look like a florist shop display.
Before the day kicked off, the florists giving the demonstration walked around the farm choosing product. There were 2 demonstrators plus 2 assistants.
Early September is a great time at East Coast Wildflowers farm - ‘peak season’. And it was a beautiful day!
110 people attended! 44% were florists, 16% were student florists and 17% were growers. Several floristry teachers were in the audience - and also floral demonstrators from previous WoW events (David Berger from the first WoW in 2014 and the 2024 event held in Perth; and Lynne Dallas from WoW 2017). Most attendees were from NSW (93%), but people came from much further afield (WA, SA and QLD), highlighting the drawing power of the event.
Following a delicious morning tea, participants were split into 4 groups. Each group was escorted around the farm by a ‘leader’ from East Coast Wildflowers. The tour lasted 90 minutes. Along the way there were talks about how they grow flannel flowers and kangaroo paws. Robert Luff spoke about breeding and growing paper daisies. The new greenhouse was viewed.
Lunch was amazing with top notch catering by Butchers Daughter.
Craig introduced the florist demonstrators - Duc Thuan Bui* is one of the head teachers at Pearsons School of Floristry. Alice Beasley is from Bess Paddington.
Each produced 10 arrangements showcasing their very different styles - Alice likes ‘free flowing’ while Duc focusses on ‘structures’. Designs included bouquets (including bridal bouquets), table centre pieces, corporate designs, wreaths and sculptural pieces.
There was great interaction between the florists and the audience and some great giveaways!
The silent auction at the end of the day ensured a ‘piece of floral heaven’ went home with many of the participants - both arrangements and mixed bunches of product.
Big thanks are due to a long list of people who made the day such a stunning success!
Craig and his team who put in an amazing effort to source and display the best products, preparing the farm and working on the day.
Elizabeth Edmonds, Convenor of the WFA Events Committee
The growers who sponsored the event by providing flowers - East Coast Wildflowers, Wafex, the Banksia Company, Premium Greens, Robert Luff and Brimstone Waratahs.
Helpers on the day - Gordon and Carol Meiklejohn, Hannah Sherwood, Hannah Urquhart
Angie Scott for capturing the magic with her camera
Those who supported the day with lucky door prizes - Del and Bettina from What Cut Flower is That? and Don from Tool Pro (who also offered discounts on purchases)
*We first met Duc during the 2014 WildFlowers Australia National Student Floristry Competition where his entry of a ‘green arrangement’ featuring just foliage was one of the winners.
