Everything came up roses

LIFE MEMBERS of Te Awamutu Rose Society at Friday’s Golden Jubilee function were, from left: back row: Mike North, Margaret Clarke, Dianna Jones, Elaine McFall, Peter Self; front row: Iris Allcock, Mary Colquhoun, Paddy Stephens. 317071AD

By Grant Johnston

Te Awamutu Rose Society marked its Golden Jubilee show by honouring a new life member. Peter Self was awarded the life membership certificate at Friday’s 50th Rose Show opening day function at St Patrick’s Hall.

Seven of the club’s other life members were present to welcome him into their ranks. One of those - Mike North - read the citation for Mr Self. He said Mr Self joined the society when it was still a sub branch of Waikato Society in the same year as Mr North - in 1958.

“Peter returned to his hometown with his lovely new wife. Lois, and started up a business in the horse float trade with a garage and stables down Te Rahu Road. He beautified the sheds by plating climbing roses against them, and what the horses left behind went around the roses and they thrived. Who should spot them but the late Alf Smart, who never missed a chance to drum up membership for the society - Peter and Lois have been members ever since.”

Roses were an integral component of showpiece gardens at Pokuru, then Greenhill Drive in Te Awamutu. Mr Self was vice president of the society in 1979-80- and president in 1981- 82 which were busy years, with the society awarded the Autumn Rose Convention. Mr Self trooped around the business community ensuring every class would have a prize to keep as well as a trophy.

Then came an SOS for blooms from the Auckland Society’s Jubilee and Mr Self and helpers loaded 2400 blooms onto his Wines and Spirits truck and transported to Auckland.

He was convenor for the 1982 National Raffle and served as an extremely able treasurer and investment advisor to the Rose Society Trust - which donates to the upkeep of Te Awamutu Rose Gardens (also winning a battle with the IRD over tax treatment).

The society’s 50th show attracted 390 entries and the quality of blooms at the Rose and Cultural Festival event was high thanks to recent kind weather.