Australia's Largest Flower Show

Australia's Largest Flower Show by Kerry Plowright

Wednesday 28th March, Sunday 1st April, 2007

Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens Melbourne Australia. The world renowned Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is entering its 12th year and is now regarded as the largest and most successful horticultural event in the Southern Hemisphere, rated amongst the top five flower and garden shows in the world.



Francine Rizza, of online Melbourne Florist says this prestigious flower show provides a great opportunity for a florist to showcase their skill's. Francine has exhibited her talent as a leading florist at the show and has won numerous awards for her skill as a fresh flower artist.



Francine continues; I was first selected about 8 years ago to exhibit in the Melbourne International flower show. The National Flower Centre Melbourne ran a competition to which they invited florists to submit an outline of a fresh flower display they wished to exhibit. My plan was a winner. Each florist was then given a $6,000.00 sponsorship to use to build their display. The florists were excited by this prospect and were then expected to order all flowers required as well as props. The florists created amazing flower displays. It was a real chance for the florist to really showcase their skill as a florist in a very large display and venue.



My display was featuring fairies in a beautiful woodland filled with pastel flowers. Even the fairies were adorned with costumes of flowers and moss! The male fairy was dressed in guilded leaves and was dressed in a costume of fresh bush moss. He carried a wand made from an agapanthus flower head. I hired huge urns and filled them with many different types of flowers including lizianthus, delphinium, roses, Lillies and purple and lilac carnations. All of my family as well as friend, butler trainer Josephine Ive were involved in the mammoth floral creation. I'm quite sure I must have been the only Australian florist with her own International butler!



Our flower display was a real "Show Stopper"! It was difficult for the crowd to advance.



At that time our florist studio was located in Kew, Melbourne Victoria. It was called 'In Vogue Flowers'. Not only were we delighted, our customers were very excited too. I had by now gained a lot of respect from them as a skilled florist. This was a great advancement for my career as a florist and we were now being described as a leading Melbourne florist!



The following year I was once again invited, this time by management of the flower show to participate. They offered me a huge floor space of 44sq metres on the main floor, amongst all the large fresh flower growers and wholesale florists. It took me 3 days to pick myself up off the floor and tell friends and family the good news. I just couldn't believe I had been asked. I was the only retail florist in Melbourne and Australia to be given this honour. My career as a leading Melbourne florist had really begun.



This time we were given a guideline, the theme the florist had to abide by was titled "Reflections". We were instructed not to think of mirrors or water reflections, but other meanings of reflections. My great plan was blown apart and I had to come up with another idea.



Suddenly it came to me! I would create a flower display using 2 huge 8 x 12 ft [2.4 x 3.6 metres], guilt frames back to back in the centre which would represent a mirror. I then hired 2 identical mannequins and had one made up with harsh make-up, black cropped hair and long black eye lashes. I dressed her in a black sequinned dress and high heeled shoes. The other lady I dressed as a lady from the 1900's. Her make-up was soft and pastel, her hair was jet black and was placed up in an elaborate style. I hired her costume from "Malcolm's Costume Hire", Collingwood. It was an elaborate, richly coloured gown from the opera "Don Giovanni". I place them either side of the mirror reflecting their image. They were twins, born 100 years apart looking at one another with fascination.



Now for the flower display, I hired huge Grecian terracotta pots, some standing as high as 5ft, [167.6 centimetres]. The pots varied both in size and shape. All had a matching partner and were placed to reflect one another. On the modern side of the flower display they were filled with brightly coloured flowers such as gerbera, heliconia and lilliums. The display on the opposite side representing the 1900's was all in pastel, white, cream and lemon flowers. It was real class! I hired 2 beautiful mahogany arm chairs and requested the restorer upholster them both in florists foam so they could be elaborately decorated in flowers. They were displayed in a reflective manner. The deception was complete!



I really knew I had achieved, when I overheard 2 ladies having a conversation, One remarked to the other; "Oh my god, it isn't a mirror"! She had been adequately deceived!



For me as a florist, having been asked to participate in the Melbourne Flower Show has been a highlight in my career for which I shall be forever proud and grateful.



Staged, within the world heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding south Carlton Gardens, the Melbourne International Flower Show is well established and features the best landscape and florist talent that Australia has to offer along side an extensive array of garden retail products.



The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a celebration of Australian lifestyle and our great outdoors. Along with residents and visitors to Melbourne, florists can be inspired by the vast range of fresh flower displays and learn about the care of flowers direct from the fresh flower experts and the flower growers.



A few facts about the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show:



The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) is renowned for attracting record visitor crowds many from around the world. It is an established national "Hallmark Event" with a very successful nine year history. MIFGS holds the reputation of being the biggest and best annual flower and garden show in the Southern Hemisphere.



The Show attracts quality and leading edge florist and landscape designers. The venue, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, is unique and second to none in its ambiance, which sets the event apart from anything else in the country.



The event has the support and participation of key industry bodies including NGIV, Flowers Victoria, the LIAV and AILA, plus active participation from leading Horticultural colleges and universities throughout Victoria and Australia.



The Melbourne
flower shop offers a diverse range of stunning fresh flowers
to the Melbourne area including interflora.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Melbourne Restaurants – 4 restaurants in Melbourne providing a unique Melbourne experience

Melbourne Restaurants – 4 restaurants in Melbourne providing a unique Melbourne experience
by: Rebecca Greg

Melbourne restaurants are known as some of the finest in the world. If you are planning a trip to Melbourne and looking for a “uniquely Melbourne” experience, visit one of the following Melbourne restaurants for more than a dining delight.

1. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant

Cruise the scenic streets of Melbourne aboard a converted 1927 tram that is the first traveling tramcar restaurant in the world. Enjoy first class cuisine and the very best of Australian wines as you take a journey into a little piece of Victoria’s history. The Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has become one of Melbourne’s star attractions since its inception in 1983. Expect all the comforts of a top Melbourne restaurant – air-conditioning, piped music, plush burgundy carpets, velvet covered seats, stately brass fittings and fresh flowers – all creating a cosy atmosphere reflective of the colonial period.

Enjoy a three, four or five course meal while gliding through the streets of Melbourne with all food prepared on the tram. The set price is inclusive of all food and beverages from the fully stocked bar. Tempt your taste buds with one of the delicious menus including grilled kangaroo fillet, Prime eye fillet of beef, a selection of Australian cheeses, and mouth watering desserts.

Luncheon is a four course meal and the tour is from 1pm-3pm. You can decide between an early dinner – 3 courses from 5:45pm-7:15pm or a full 5 course dinner from 8:35pm-11:30pm. The maximum party size is 108 people (36 people per tram) and the restaurant operates 7 days per week. It is advisable to book well in advance.

2. The Spirit of Melbourne Cruising Restaurant

If you are looking for the perfect romantic experience, what better place than aboard the Spirit of Melbourne, right in the heart of our vibrant river city? Savour the ever-changing city background reflecting the cosmopolitan culture that is Melbourne. Enjoy a luxurious dining experience while cruising the magnificent Yarra River. The Spirit of Melbourne caters for only 40 guests and the setting is intimate, yet relaxed with personalized service and attention to detail.

Delight in the fusion of international dishes and fine Australian wines. The extensive six course meal is freshly prepared on board by the gourmet chefs. All beverages, including Australian wines, beers, spirits, cognac and liqueurs are included. The Spirit of Melbourne is fully enclosed with air-conditioning and heating or enjoy a breath of fresh air on the alfresco deck.

The Spirit of Melbourne departs from berth no. 6, Southbank Lower Promenade at 7:30pm every Friday and Saturday evening and returns at 10:30pm. Bookings are essential.

3. Café 55, Melbourne Observation Deck

Café 55 is on the observation deck of Rialto Towers – the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest office structure and Melbourne’s most recognized building. The Rialto is 253m tall and was opened in July 1994. Climb the 1254 stairs to level 55 (or take the speedy lift) and spend time appreciating this amazing city. The birdseye view over Melbourne from the observation deck is breathtaking with a 360 degree outlook over the city and beyond.

Enjoy a meal and drink from the fully licensed bar at café 55 and make the most of this unique experience. Café 55 is open daily for lunch and dinner.

4. Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel

The famous Yarra Valley was originally settled at the current location of Yering by the Ryrie brothers in 1837. Grapevines were planted resulting in Victoria’s first vintage being produced in 1845. The original chateau at Yering was built in 1854 with hand made bricks made on site and extravagant fittings transported from Melbourne by bullock. Paul de Castella and Baron van Mueller (a world-renowned botanist) were responsible for the extensive gardens including the magnificent Chilean Wine Palm and two Bunya Pines. Both the house and the garden are listed for protection by Heritage Victoria.

Today, Chateau Yering is a country house hotel. Conveniently located only 1 hours drive north east of Melbourne, it is on 250 acres of land with 2.7km of river frontage onto the Yarra River. There are spectacular views across the Yarra Valley to the Great Dividing Range. The interior design or the Chateau Yering reflects its heritage and the new building blending seamlessly with the existing structures. All the bedrooms have been individually decorated with antique furniture, works of art and fine fabrics.

The original dining room has been extended and now houses Eleonore’s Restaurant. The elegant high back chairs, ornate cornices and ceilings and luxury fittings reflect the history and the vista from the restaurant is one of the finest in Victoria. Enjoy a comprehensive selection of Yarra Valley wines complementing the contemporary cuisine.

For a less formal setting, enjoy a more leisurely lunch or a coffee and cake at the Sweetwater Café. The Sweetwater Café is a lovely atrium connecting the old mansion with the new wing with outdoor views to the gardens.

For further information on Melbourne accommodation and restaurants, visit www.happystays.com.au.

About The Author

Rebecca Greg is the marketing manager for Happy Stays which is an Australia wide, user friendly accommodation directory. HappyStays has all your travel needs covered including accommodation, car hire, airline tickets, travel insurance and international accommodation.

info@happystays.com.au