Upperhutt

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SI UPPER HUTT's GARDEN FUNDRAISER

Barbara and Sheilah. Note the Soropti bear.

Barbara Milburn sent photos taken at SI Upper Hutt’s Garden Evening. She explains:

"Upper Hutt's Garden Evening is both a fun event and a fund raiser! When Hilary Kinghorn from the Cardigan club stayed with Barbara last year, they discussed fund raising ideas. Hilary mentioned how successful Cardigan’s garden evening was and Upper Hutt “took the idea on board”, although with some embellishments. A mingling activity to begin with where you had to match flora and fauna with their Latin name, an oral quick-fire quiz with the answers being flowers; a reading of Pam Ayres poem on being a gardener, the wearing of garden hats, and 2 garden raffles. Prizes were vouchers donated by local retailers and club members.Club members from Lower Hutt and Wainui Clubs supported the evening."

Audrey Harper. A founder member of SI Upper Hutt, who at the age of 81, is still taking an active part in the club. 30 years of dedication to Soroptimism.

SOROPTIMIST ROSE

Barbara Milburn, Publicity Officer of SI Upper Hutt, sent a photo and explained the background to the photo:

"Ten years ago, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Soroptimism, in N.Z. we were able to buy Soroptimist Rose bushes from a supplier in Auckland. Our club bought a large number, added on a couple of dollars, and used them as a fund raiser, selling them to friends, schools, local council etc.

By sheer coincidence, the day before the matter of the Soroptimist Rose was raised on the Chatline, I had received a calendar from a friend of mine who runs a B & B in the South Island. Phyllis had been the second President of the newly formed Upper Hutt Club before she moved south. The calendar frontpiece was a photo of her Soroptimist Rose which I had sold to her 10 years ago! Although mine has died, hers is still going strong.

As you can see the N.Z. rose was a lovely shade of pink.

Sheilah Downs, SI Lower Hutt obtained the following copy of the history of the rose from Jean Bell:

SOROPTIMIST ROSE

" In 1993 Soroptimist International asked Members for suggestions for some article to celebrate 75 years of Soroptimist International which commenced in America in 1921.

" That request was discussed at the Council Meeting of Soroptimist International South West Pacific, in Sydney 1993, when it was suggested, and agreed that enquiries be made whether a Rose plant could be grown to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Soroptimist International.

"At that time one of the New Zealand Councillors worked with the largest Rose Grower in New Zealand, who then approached other overseas Rose specialists asking if they could assist. Mr Frank Benardella, World famous Rose Hybridist in U.S.A., kindly agreed that one of his new roses, as yet unnamed, propagated or sold, could be named 'Soroptimist International'. The Rose was registered with the World Rose registration people; and the initial plant, in flower, was displayed at the Federation Conference in Auckland in 1994. Propagation of the Rose plant started, and since then many plants of "Soroptimist International' have been, and are growing in Auckland and other parts of the world."

Robyn Cain, SI of Helena mentioned on the Chatline that SI South Perth has used the Soroptimist Rose as part of their "look" shown here: SI South Perth's Website

Robyn writes:"The picture is actually one I took of the rose in my garden. My Soroptimist Rose still looks great after 10 years. Still in a pot - must just be in the right spot."

The URL for SI South Perth is: http://www.sisouthperth.org.au/

This web site is created and maintained by Hendré Falkson