The Port Lincoln Orchid Club recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with a dinner at the Grand Tasman Hotel.
Club member Peter Hughes entertained the audience as emcee for the night.
Mr Hughes welcomed invited guests – Kate Clarke and Karen Meils from the Port Lincoln Garden Club, Semi Skoljarev from the Port Lincoln Agricultural and Horticultural Show, Whyalla Orchid Club President Brian Moodie and current members.
Mr Hughes recognised the club has had a strong and longstanding association with the Port Lincoln Show Society.
Guest speakers on the night were long-time member and treasurer Milton Kowald, as well as popular local horticulturalist Tom Jones.
Mr Kowald spoke of the history and different people who have been involved over the 60 years and Mr Jones’ entertaining speech was fun – he was the first junior member of the club at the age of 14.
The Port Lincoln Orchid Club came into existence on December 5, 1963 with 16 enthusiasts. The first meeting was held in Blacker Motors showrooms, at which point Geoff Blacker was elected president, a position he held for many years.
Joan Limpere, though an apology for not attending, is possibly still the only person living who was a foundation member of the club which was affiliated with the Orchid Club of South Australia (SA).
Orchid Club of SA gave much needed assistance and advice, including the perusing of a constitution.
In 1964 the first Spring Show was held at Blacker Motors showroom with help from the state body, who sent over many prize winning blooms from their silver anniversary orchid festival and member blooms to enter them into the Port Lincoln Show.
Entries were divided into two classes, A – Restricted class, where the plant had to be owned by the exhibitor for six months and B, Open class which had no limit.
In subsequent years it was not uncommon for a member to go to the Royal Adelaide Show and purchase prize winning plants and enter them into the Port Lincoln Show, however this class was eventually cancelled.
The Port Lincoln Agricultural and Horticultural Society requested the new club convene the orchid section for its show.
In July 1964, Syd Monkhouse from Adelaide Orchids was a guest speaker and gave a demonstration of potting Cattleyas and other things.
The treasurer’s statement for the Spring Show had a profit of $227.83, from which $80 was donated to Port Lincoln Old Folks Home.
In 1965, Richard Jones joined the club as a junior member and Bob Saltnes’ name appeared for the first time in that year.
Many meeting slides with commentary were shown and a popular vote was also conducted at each meeting, with prize money being given to the winners.
A book was kept in which names of all the financial members and their addresses were recorded.
In the annual general meeting of 1968, Mr Blacker was replaced as president by Trevor Hancox, while Joan Lindpere was treasurer for 1966 and 67, plus 1989, and Geoff Provis was secretary from 1964 to 1971 – and also treasurer.
Commencing in 1968 an auction of members’ plants was held at each meeting, with 10 per cent of proceeds going to the club.
Seedling Cymbidiums were brought in for members with prizes to be awarded for the first to flower.
Many stories like the above were told on the night of the 60th anniversary.
All who attended thoroughly enjoyed the company, laughs and reminiscing.
