HILLS DISTRICT IRIS
HELPING TO CELEBRATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NSW INC.
WELCOME TO THE HILLS DISTRICT IRIS PAGE
12 - 14 OCTOBER, 2012
This webpage has been specifically created to give more information about the wonderful weekend of horticultural adventure which is being planned in the Hills District of Sydney in October, 2012. HILLS DISTRICT IRIS is preparing this community event on a not-for-profit basis and welcomes anybody who is interested in gardening to attend.
We already have a number of members of the New Zealand Iris Society indicating their interest in attending, and we hope that local Hills District residents and NSW state-wide members of the RHS of NSW Inc. will be interested in participating in this interesting weekend of horticulturally-related events. If you are not a member of any of these associations, don't worry, we will be delighted to have you attend. All you need to do is be interested in gardens, gardening, floral art or horticultural historical literature.
The weekend headquarters will be the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1 Columbia Crt, Baulkham Hills (just off Norwest Boulevard). Please contact us either by email, telephone or fax to receive the wonderful accommodation rates for this weekend. You can only qualify for the specially negotiated accommodation rates if you complete our special application form - so just let us know that you want one - and it will be done.
Here's a summary of the weekend's events:
FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER, 2012 - EVENING EVENT
Join us this evening to hear our keynote speaker, Mrs. Susannah Fullerton, talk about the connections between horticulture and literature in Australia and New Zealand.
Susannah is the President of the Jane Austen Society of Australia and the author of several very interesting 'trans-Tasman' publications which look at historical literature. Susannah also lectures through the Art Gallery of NSW and has had a Louisiana iris named in her honour. A true child of the Commonwealth, Susannah was born in Canada, grew up in New Zealand, was educated in Scotland and now lives in Sydney. A 2-course dinner, plus coffee is included in this evening's entertainment.
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER, 2012 - DAY EVENT
Join us as we visit four beautiful gardens in the Hills District on this day-long coach tour. Tour includes all garden entry fees, the coach trip, luncheon at Dural Country Club and morning tea in one of the gardens.
The tour will depart from the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Baulkham Hills at 8.15am and will return at approximately 4.30pm.
SATURDAY 13 OCTOBER, 2012 - EVENING EVENT
Tonight will be another highlight of the weekend events. The RHS of NSW Inc. Floral Art will prepare an evening floral extravaganza for your enjoyment. This will include a Floral Art Show, table decoration competition and other floral events. In addition, a commercial 'mini mart' event will be run before dinner, where you can purchase plants or memorabilia from the weekend. A 2-course dinner, complete with tea/coffee will be served during the extravaganza events.
SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER, 2012 - DAY EVENT
Join us for an interesting day-long coach tour to the lower Blue Mountains area of greater Sydney. The tour will include a visit to the famous Windsor Markets where you can enjoy a coffee or browse the many quality stalls. We will visit Kerry Mitchell's wonderful salvia-filled garden at Kurrajong before attending the Bilpin Garden Club's Spring Show. Here you will enjoy great hospitality, horticultural exhibits and floral art to marvel. We will also enjoy a light lunch here. Later we will travel further up the mountains to visit the famous 'cool climate' Royal Botanical Gardens at Mt. Tomah (now known as the Blue Mountains Botanical Gardens). Here you can enjoy the fabulous mountain scenery, wander the interesting horticulturally-themed gardens or browse in the gift shop. The day trip includes the coach tour, all garden and show entry fees, lunch at the Spring Show and great company.
The tour will depart from the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Baulkham Hills at 9.00am and return between 5 and 6pm.
PRICING OPTIONS AVAILABLE.
You are welcome to join us for all four events. The cost for all four events,including two evening events (no alcohol), two day-long bus tours (lunch on both days) is an all-inclusive $295.00. As mentioned previously, accommodation (if required) is additional and can only be booked using our special rates form. Email us for a copy to be sent to you.
However, if you only have limited time, or are just interested in parts of the weekend, we have a series of 'combo' prices available as well. Please email us to receive the application form for either the 'attending all' form or the 'combo events' form - or both!
As the event draws closer, we will be able to provide exact details of the gardens to be visited, more details relating to the floral extravaganza and other items of interest which are still being arranged. However, the basic program is as noted above. Guest speakers will not change nor will the great company you will enjoy during the weekend. We have already received wonderful community support from Bunnings, Norwest who will be providing various raffle prizes during the event. As we receive more details, it will be noted here for your information.
To obtain an accommodation rates page and/or a registration application form for the events noted above, please contact us as follows:
HILLS DISTRICT IRIS
PO BOX 6070
BAULKHAM HILLS BC
NSW 2153
AUSTRALIA
TEL (02) 8883 5953
FAX (02) 8883 5954
Email: irishaven@pip.com.au (see link below)
Electronic versions of the Registration Form and/or accommodation Rates Page can be forwarded via email. Please request these forms using the email link noted immediately above, thank you.
This page was updated on 2 FEBRUARY 2012
