The inaugural meeting of the Australian
Hibiscus Society was held at the Protestant Hall,
Woolloongabba, on the 10th October, 1967 at which thirteen
persons were present and the principles and aims of the
Society were discussed.
The second meeting was held on the 27th
November, 1967 at the Senior Citizens Centre, Fortitude
Valley. The original Constitution of the Society was drawn
up and, in accordance with this constitution, all members
who were financial at the November meeting were named as
"Foundation Members". There were eighteen in all.
The first Office Bearers were:
President - Mr Jim Howie
General Secretary - Mrs Shirley Howie
Membership Secretary - Mr Graham McGilvary
Treasurer - Mr R. Thomas
Show manager - Mrs Trainew
Librarian - Mrs G. McGilvary
Publicity Officer - Miss Joan Thomas
Photographer - Mr M. Hodges
Assistant Editor - Mr R. (Bob) Bennell
Senior Judge - Mr Alex Scott
Junior Judges - Messrs Trevor, O'Shea and Clarke
Even at this early stage, a raffle was
held to raise funds.
The first lecture was given by a
representative of Amalgamated Chemicals on sprays and
fertilizers best suited to Hibiscus.
February, 1968 was the date of the first
publication, the "Hibiscus Digest" (later "The Hibiscus") at
the price of 5 cents per copy edited by Miss Joan Thomas. It
is clearly seen that our foundation members set a high
standard right from the beginning.
Every meeting, a display of flowers was
shown and lectures given. Even in those days, the Society
was honoured with 200 slides supplied by Mr Les Beers from
Sydney. Enthusiasm grew to such a point that the members
decided to hold the first public display at Weedmans Ltd.,
120 Queen Street, Brisbane on the 5th and 6th of April,
1968.
This display hit the garden news as
another first in the "Sunday Truth", March 31st issue, also
the "Courier Mail" and the "Queensland Gardener". There were
also newsreel features from Stations BTQ7 and ABQ2.
"The Digest" was now on a firm basis with
new members being welcomed by name and "Question and Answer"
features each issue and future meetings being announced.
Some of the early lectures were given by
Mr Trevor O'Shea on grafting and Mr C. V. von Stieglitz
lectured on hybridization. By now, we had our first Patron -
Justice J. (Jim) A. Douglas.
All this success in just six months -
what a good start.
It is interesting to mention the names of
some of our older blooms shown in the period.
Morley Theaker, Prince of Japan,
Cinderella (Burgundy Blush), Coral, Bronze Wings, Cameo
Queen (Ruffled Giant), Crown of Bohemia, Lyn Carol,
White Kalakaua (Elephant Ear), Masonala, Golden Empress,
442nd Battalion, Yvonne, Surfrider, Edith Parsons, Marty
Forbes, Haleakala, Aloha (Elegans).
These blooms were just a few which
excited our foundation members to success.
In June, 1968, our Society was
acknowledged by the American Hibiscus Society as an
"Affiliated Chapter". An article written in the
April/May/June, 1968 "Seed Pod" in which the last phrase
read -
"We are happy to have the Australian
Hibiscus Society affiliated with us and wish them every
success with their projects. This is a fine opportunity
for our two organizations to work together on
nomenclature and many other phases of our "Queen of the
Tropics".
The first "Seedbank Controller" was Mr
Trevor O'Shea when a donation of seed was supplied by Mr von
Stieglitz. This position was started in July, 1968.
October, 1968 was the start of a second
year and election time. The Society was well and truly a
part of the garden world in Queensland.
In 1969, the first point score system was
introduced to judging.
Mr von Stieglitz had been experimenting
with "Bonsai" of Hibiscus ("Bon" meaning "container" and "sai"
- "to plant"). One of these was Island Empress
which grew to 18" in four years in a container 8" in
diameter and 2" deep. The plant was healthy and had normal
size flowers. Very little pruning was required. Roots were
pruned every second year. Soil was changed at that time and
was a heavier texture than usual potting mixes. Watered
every second day, it was kept in a sheltered position and
fertilized occasionally with a foliar spray. After reading
this, it makes you wonder how far you can go.
During this year, a member, Mr S. Gordon,
corresponded with Mr Ross Gast of the U. S. A. who supplied
a brief history of H. rosa sinensis referring to "Linnaeus
Species Plantanum" published in 1753 where the double red of
China (Chinese Rose) originally called by Linaeus was
previously called SCHERUPARITE in his "Hortus Indicus
Malabaricus" published in 165-. But even this is not old
enough in time as it appears to have been introduced into
the Pacific by Polynesian immigration from S.E. Asia.
The first Honorary Life Membership was
granted to Mr C.R. von Stieglitz in November, 1969 for
compiling the first nomenclature for the Australian Hibiscus
Society.
1970: Mr von Stieglitz's book was
published.
1971: March 23rd, Mr von Stieglitz passed
away. In memory of Roy, his wife Mrs Doris von Stieglitz was
bestowed Life Membership and this fine lady still attends
our Annual Shows.
