Small but dedicated volunteers are working behind the scenes to stage one of Murchison’s longest-running community events.
The Murchison Spring Flower Show returns to the Murchison Recreation Centre on Saturday, 19 September, showcasing everything from award-winning daffodils to children’s artwork and floral displays.
Murchison Garden Club secretary Carolyn Gattsche says a core group of just five volunteers carries out months of preparation to bring the event together.
That work includes sourcing qualified judges from outside the district, encouraging entries and stallholders, collecting trophies from previous winners, organising documentation and finding prizes.
“There are a fair few hours that go in to organising it.”
Carolyn, who moved to Murchison four years ago, says she has fallen in love with the community.
“I’m a newbie, but I love Murchison. I’ve lived in seven regions of New Zealand, and this would take the cake from all of them. Everyone is so supportive, the history here is amazing, everyone is friendly, it’s just a fabulous community.”
Organisers begin setting up the day before the show, when exhibitors start bringing in their blooms.
“We don’t know what we are going to get until the day before, or the morning of.”
“The most prolific thing in our show is Narcissus - all the daffodils. We get an awful lot of daffodils on show. With our floral art - we never know what we’re going to get.”
Exhibitors can enter cut flowers or floral art and there is a plant stall to take something home.
School and kindergarten children are also a key part of the event, with their artwork displayed prominently.
“We have all the children’s sand saucers from the kindergarten and we couldn’t do it without the school - they’re amazing. The first thing we display is all the students’ art and it’s just beautiful.”
Visitors can also enjoy a Devonshire tea while viewing the exhibits.
This year marks the first time the flower show has been held on a Saturday.
“We’re trying something new,” Carolyn says.
She adds that community events need ongoing support to survive.
“Traditional events are becoming a dying art.”
Despite Murchison having fewer than 700 residents in the village, the wider farming community across the surrounding valleys helps support the event.
The show features 63 categories, including 22 narcissus classes, with entrants competing for eight trophies and a range of awards. Judges are sourced from other garden clubs and hold recognised qualifications.
The Murchison Spring Flower Show is on Saturday, 19 September, 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Murchison Recreation Centre. Entry: $3, school children: free. Entry enquiries to Judy 027 220 7704, or Irene 027 434 7008.
