NSW ROSARIANS AT THE 17TH WORLD ROSE CONVENTION

NSW ROSARIANS AT THE 17TH WORLD ROSE CONVENTION
–
LYON
ST
27 MAY TO 1 JUNE 2015
A most memorable experience was the joining with many Rosarians from around the world to
celebrate this most beautiful flower and to see it blooming at its best in Lyon and other parts of
Europe. A number of our members from NSW joined other Australians to travel to various gardens
in Italy before joining the Convention in Lyon. Prior to the Convention, some enjoyed the preConvention tours to either “The Alps” or to “Provence” for two days with an overnight stay.
Our group toured “Provence” and enjoyed very much visits to the village of Grignan and the castle,
where we were amazed at the roses growing on village walls out of hardened ground; then a tour of
Avignon where we stayed the first night. The second day included a visit to the remarkable garden
of “L’Abbaye de Valsaintes” situated in harsh weather on a mountain top; then to the remarkable
garden of Dominique Croix with a most remarkable welcome by aristocratic ladies and gentlemen in
period dress. Croix is renowned for a number of new breeds of roses.
In Grignan village
Rosalie and Chris Vine enjoying this garden
And, around the corner comes Meryll and Ted Morphett.
A welcome to La Croix Garden
Other NSW Rose Society members are found in La Croix Garden as we enjoyed the great hospitality offered by
the very theatrical hostess, who was very thrilled to have international visitors to her place.
Ian & Maureen Thackery -Janet & Graham Wright
Mark & Julie McGuire
THE ROSE CONVENTION OPENS WITH GREAT SPLENDOUR
The entrance to the Convention Centre (The Centre de Congres) was beautifully decorated with
roses as were many parts of the city to welcome all visitors to the Rose Festival. The Executive
Director of the WFRS, Australian Malcolm Watson did us proud in his welcome, and then a moving
ceremony of flags of representative nations taken down to through the centre to the stage. A
special announcement that Meilland’s rose ‘Cocktail’ had been entered to the Rose Hall of Fame.
Awards given out one to Ian Spriggs from South Australia accepted on his behalf by Paul Hains,
Australia’s National President. Cultural entertainment was also provided during the ceremony.
SOME OF THE EVENTS O F THE FOLLOWING DAYS OF THE CONVENTION
There were so many wonderful talks by experts in the field, excursions to rose gardens and rose
breeders, villages in the area, and just meeting so many people who welcomed us. Some of the
places visited were: La Bonne Maison a lovely garden full of roses in the heights of Lyon. The visit to
Cluny was also memorable, not only the tour of the old Abbey but also the surprise rendition by a
choir that resonated well in those abbey walls. A rose garden in Cluny (Roserie de Cluny)
established by volunteers with a special garden and memorial rose named Resurrection to honour
the freedom of the liberation from the concentration camps and 22 Cluny women deported to
Ravensbruck. Other tours included a very beautiful, Le Jardin de Ma Mere; a mural at Champagne
au Mont d’Or to celebrate a famous rose breeding family; memorable trips to famous rose breeding
nurseries such as Meilland Richardier and Reuter; a trip to the Beaujolaise wine growing area and
the witnessing of an ancient ritual of initiation to the new wine grower. The last day was especially
special with the visit to the village of St Galmier and then to Chamboeuf where the Meilland family
had their origin.
Figure 1 St Galmier Rose in St Galmier
A Papa Meilland rose in an old part of a village in Beaujolaise region
Judith Oyston & Marg Kennedy at La Bonne Maison
Figure 1 Welcome to Chamboeuf village
Mural celebrating Laperriere family
Meilland Snr speaking about the ‘Papa Meilland’ Rose that orgiginated here
Malcolm Watson being initiated into the Beaujolaise Wine Growers Union.
TOWARDS THE END OF T HE CONVENTION – FESTIVAL IN LYON, PARK TETE D’OR AND CLOSING
CEREMONY
The people of Lyon had been so welcoming to all at the Convention, it will always stay as a very fond memory.
The last weekend in Lyon was celebrated by the people of Lyon as a Festival of Roses – and there were many
entertainments such as fireworks over the river, and special events in the Park. These are some of the scenes
in this Park.
Les Reveries Venitiennes
CLOSING CEREMONY
This was held in a large dining area and the changing of the guard was announced as Steve Jones
handed over the leadership of the WFRS to Australian Kelvin Trimper. Amongst the many speeches
and awards given, the award for the Mornington Rose Garden in Victoria, now the third of the
Victorian Gardens recognised as rose gardens of excellence by the World Federation of Roses.
We all went our separate ways after the Convention, and some who had not yet tired of the
incessant coach trips, took Post Convention Tours to Geneva, Baden-Baden and Alsace whilst others
set off on tours to rose gardens in Paris.