HISTORY OF CAMELLIAS
ILLAWARRA
In February, 1953, the president of Wollongong Legacy remarked to his Secretary, Alice Musgrave, that he had heard that the highlight of a function held around that time in Bega, NSW was a display of Camellia blooms presented by Sydney-based Professor E.G. Waterhouse. He suggested to Alice that she contact the Professor with the view to staging a similar display in Wollongong
Accompanied by her sister Wilga, Alice attended the Killara Camellia Show where they made their submission to the Professor. The Professor, always keen to further the Camellia-cause, readily agreed and accompanied by his wife Janet who was highly skilled in decorative work, joined Alice and Wilga in presenting the first Camellia Show on behalf of Legacy on 18 July, 1953. The Show was non-competitive but this was altered the following year.
Alice and Wilga Musgrave each with a membership of almost fifty years have been honoured for their extensive work in the establishment of Camellias Illawarra by the provision of a trophy in their name awarded to the Champion Illawarra bloom at the annual July show.
Camellias Illawarra has been innovative in the establishment of the first and only Camellia Reticulata Show. This is now a one day competition in August each year that attracts considerable interest as the blooms are quite spectacular.
In 1966 Camellias Illawarra affiliated with the Australian Camellia Research Society (now Camellias Australia) and became one of eleven affiliates of Camellias Australia located in various regions throughout Australia.
In February, 1953, the president of Wollongong Legacy remarked to his Secretary, Alice Musgrave, that he had heard that the highlight of a function held around that time in Bega, NSW was a display of Camellia blooms presented by Sydney-based Professor E.G. Waterhouse. He suggested to Alice that she contact the Professor with the view to staging a similar display in Wollongong
Accompanied by her sister Wilga, Alice attended the Killara Camellia Show where they made their submission to the Professor. The Professor, always keen to further the Camellia-cause, readily agreed and accompanied by his wife Janet who was highly skilled in decorative work, joined Alice and Wilga in presenting the first Camellia Show on behalf of Legacy on 18 July, 1953. The Show was non-competitive but this was altered the following year.
Alice and Wilga Musgrave each with a membership of almost fifty years have been honoured for their extensive work in the establishment of Camellias Illawarra by the provision of a trophy in their name awarded to the Champion Illawarra bloom at the annual July show.
Camellias Illawarra has been innovative in the establishment of the first and only Camellia Reticulata Show. This is now a one day competition in August each year that attracts considerable interest as the blooms are quite spectacular.
In 1966 Camellias Illawarra affiliated with the Australian Camellia Research Society (now Camellias Australia) and became one of eleven affiliates of Camellias Australia located in various regions throughout Australia.