WA FLORAL ART SOCIETY INC

 'A HISTORY'                                  

The Society had its beginnings, when Mrs Esme Coops approached the WA Horticultural Council in 1950 with a suggestion that a Floral Art Society be formed.

Some Asymmetrical designs were being used but there was really no format to determine what was the most artistic feature of such a design.  To this point most horticultural displays called for formal vases and bowls.

The inaugural meeting was held on August 13th 1952 where a well representative gathering of floral enthusiasts, including representatives of eleven Horticultural Societies pledged their support to the venture.  They felt it was something that would boost the shows and provide use for specimen flowers when not called for on the schedule.

Mr H Tarrant, a well known judge and exhibitor of floral work was asked to take the chair and the following were elected to various positions

It was decided to adopt the name   WEST AUSTRALIAN FLORAL ART SOCIETY.

The objects of the Society were to promote flower arranging using all types of Horticultural material in the most acceptable way. Flowers were now used to tell a story or create a picture or a design with colour, texture, line, form and space.

Among the early members Harry Lodge, husband of the Treasurer was a prominent orchid grower.  The whole Luff family were widely involved in nursery and floristry business.  Mr & Mrs Law Davis from a floristry business, Mrs Cowan from Kenwick, Jim Brassington a carnation grower (he started Melville Carnations), and Des Banwell who also started WA Ballet Company and was responsible for the early stages of the Interflora organisation.  Des had a floristry business in Trinity Arcade in Central Hay Street.  He was the Patron of this Society for a time and on big occasions he would run the events and bring a standard of excellence to the performance.  While compiling this report, Des was visited and reminisced on when the committee would meet at his home.  Unfortunately Des passed away in August 2002.

Frances Newman was a Florist and her whole family was involved in the Nursery business.  The Passmores and the Brochlehursts noted names in local horticulture were highly involved.  A Mr Harper – a prominent businessman was a keen supporter and was able to provide accommodation for some early meetings.  Since it was a new direction it was decided that as well as demonstrating Flower Arranging prominent artists from other fields would be invited to lecture in their special sphere. Among the visitors were Mr Hamilton Art Critic of “The West Australian”, Owen Garde and Guy Grey Smith; painters, Mr Gardiner; government Botanist, Mrs C H Newman; Florist; and many other specialist growers and growers and nurserymen.    These people gave their time and experience on many occasions and Society members learned more at each meeting.  Floral Artists from Eastern States and overseas were guests.  Among the guests was Norman Sparnon whose presentations of Ikebana led some of the members to study this fascinating art form and translate some of the techniques and ideas into what we know as floral art.  

As early as 1953 groups were approaching the Society to stage displays at their shows.  This was gladly done, and the members have always been pleased to help when this was possible.    Early meetings were held in the Board Room of Royal Agricultural Society in Bank of NSW in William Street, but when the Society moved its administration to Claremont showgrounds the Floral Art Society held its next meetings in Parents & Citizens Federation Rooms in the Hay Street Perth.

After a period at Central Methodist Mission the Society moved to the Perth Town Hall staging exhibitions and demonstrations and attracting 100 plus members each 2nd Wednesday evening of the month.   The memories of these times tell of how the morning was spent at the hairdresser and everything so organised so that nothing would interfere with Floral Art that evening. The routine was to arrive early and get the closest parking spot.    Failing this the arrangements had to be dropped at the door then one had to find a parking spot and rush back to the hall. This system worked better if there was more than one in the car.    As the city got busier and parking became more difficult and the stairs seemed to get steeper a move to another venue was inevitable.  In 1979 we moved to the Anglican Church Hall in Leederville and changed the meeting time to Saturday afternoon.   Then the Society discovered Maylands town Hall.  In September 1987 the venue changed again to Leederville Town Hall.  Cyril Jackson Recreation Centre in Bassendean became the venue in 1999 and in 2001 we moved to the current venue Adam Spagnolo Community Centre in Osborne Park.

Every move has some good features but each situation has its downside.  One location suits some while others find it inconvenient.  We hope this one can continue to meet the Society’s needs.

The Society’s programme has continued at each of the venues along the same lines.  Each meeting sees the members stage arrangements to the set schedule in a graded competition that encourages members to pass through Novice, Intermediate and Senior Section and on into open competition. The Society provided a demonstration of next months topic at each meeting and invites members to be involved in periodic workshops. 

The Society produced a handbook in 1962 as a guide for exhibitors and this formed the basis for training Floral Art judges, which has been an ongoing process over the years. Some 42 judges have been trained using the principles set out in the handbook

Writing in the preface of the first book Francis A Newman FRHS says this  “Although setting rigid stands is to be avoided, there are certain aspects of the art which must be understood before the most desirable aspects can be attained.  In so far as this book purports to lay down standards, it does so as a guide rather than a directive.”

The handbook was revised in 1968 and again in 1977.  When a further revision became necessary in the early 90’s work on the publication was suspended pending the publication of a National Australian Handbook.  In the meantime a set of standards and specifications was published as an interim measure. 

The Society handbook is the manual used in the training of our judges.  Our judges study the principles laid out here and are encouraged to make careful and deliberate decisions, which are helpful to the exhibitors.  The Society has been blessed with a team of judges who give freely of their time as judges and demonstrators with great dedication.

The founding of the World Association of Flower Arrangers in 1982 spurred on the formation of an Australian Floral Art Association.  At first this Association was limited to judges but it became evident that the Association should embrace all Floral Artists.  Australia can have only one body represented on the world scene and the judges in Western Australia were to the forefront in providing this connection to the World body.

Some members of the Society have attended each show organised by the World Association of Flower Arrangers.  A large contingent represented Western Australia at the 5th World Show in New Zealand in 1996 and seven have recently returned from the 7th World Show in Glasgow Scotland.

The Society has taken the opportunity to learn from many international and eastern states visitors over its 50 years. This allows us to look at overseas ideas and use our own creative imagination to design works of great beauty.

Great emphasis has been placed on originality and although overseas trends may be followed designs must be original and not copies.

The Society has had associates in many areas and has endeavoured to maintain contact with country groups and various individuals by means of a newsletter published monthly since 1964.  Copies of each newsletter are sent to the State library where they may be viewed and are recorded for future generations in the Battye Library.

Many of the earlier demonstrations and festivals staged by the Society raised money for charities and Society members have continued to use their time and talents to help those less fortunate.  These members keep flowers and Floral Art before the public.

Over the years the Society has supported various charitable causes including Legacy, Red Cross, Cancer Support and Research, Aged Care and Mother and Child Care.  For many years the Society arranged flowers for the Civic reception of the Perth City Council.

Over the fifty years of its existence the Society has been blessed with many talented and dedicated members who have kept the Society alive and been an inspiration to those who follow them.

We now look to the future with confidence, knowing that there is a proud tradition to follow, new horizons to aim at and an ever increasing array of plant material (if we don’t run out of water) and some innovative and creative designers to lead us through the 21st Century.

Compiled by Stan Mitchell for distribution during the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the WA Floral Art Society Inc which culminated in a floral spectacular titled 'FLORAL FANFARE'.  This spectacular was held in September 2002 and floral artists from all around Australia attended workshops, demonstrations and competed in a variety of competitions. 

..........................  In 2002 the society celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a stunning floral spectacular titled ‘FLORAL FANFARE’ where floral artists from all around Australia converged on Perth to compete and attended this event.  This was a wonderful 4-day event where in excess of 100 stunning floral designs (some over 7 feet tall) were on display for the community to view.   During this event several internationally renowned floral designers also provided stunning demonstrations to appreciative audiences and workshops were conducted where floral designers could experience ‘hands on’ tuition on a variety of contemporary designs.  This event provided an ideal opportunity for floral designers from around Australia to share in a common interest in Flower Arranging and further promoting ‘Friendship Through Flowers’.

..................The ‘Flower Arranger’ magazine (from the UK) featured articles from the newsletter for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS) and included an article on our 50^th Anniversary ‘Floral Fanfare’ event which read as follows :

World News     (compiled by Deborah Hutton 2003)

q       Floral Fanfare in Perth

In September last year, floral artists from all over Australia converged on Western Australia to celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the West Australian Floral Art Society.  In addition to the competitions and exhibition there were demonstrations by Mary Sweeney and Heather Hammond. 

The championship class ‘Golden Touch’ was won by Eileen Wenn, who also won the Best in Show Award and the Best Interpretative exhibit.  Eileen made many friends in the UK when she attended the WAFA UK International Seminar in June 2000.  Minh Tran won the colour award for her first place exhibit in the class ‘Fire Goddess’.

The Gala dinner was well attended by both past and present officers including Mrs Doris Preisig who is 92 years young.

Perth is recognised as the most isolated capital city of the world.  This was one weekend when they did not feel quite so cut off.

In July 2007 the WA Floral Art Society celebrated its 55th 'Emerald' Anniversary in conjunction with the 2007 WA Floral Art Society Inc Members Championship and other competitive class competitions.  This 2 day event was held at the Heathcote Galleries on the banks of the beautiful Swan River in Applecross where a diverse array of designs were staged in the 7 classes.

Talented Tasmanian floral designer Norma Gordon provided the special demonstration during this time and delighted her audience with her stunning array of designs.

A special 'Celebration Dinner' was held at the South of Perth Yacht Club in Applecross where members, family and friends joined together to celebrate this special occasion and extend 'Friendship Through Flowers'.

Norma also provided a special workshop for floral designers around this state providing 'hands on' opportunities and instruction on how to construct the 'Modern Italian Layered Design - Horizontal'.

To view reports, results from competitions, photographs of competitive designs, demonstration pieces and the workshop design please follow this special 55th Anniversary link.

WA Floral Art Society Website  'Site Map'

Back to Top

Website developed and managed for the West Australian Floral Art Society Inc by Dianne Buckles.

For any problems or questions regarding this website please contact Dianne on email : dbuckles@bigfoot.com.au

Last updated: December 01, 2007.