Over 40 avid orchid enthusiasts attended a celebratory afternoon to mark 60 years of the Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society on Saturday.
The event saw visitors attend from across the region, including representatives from the Bowen Orchid and Foliage Society, Bowen Garden Club and Whitsunday Garden Club.
President of the Tropical Queensland Orchid Council (TQOC), Dennis Farlow, attended with his wife Ros.
Dennis is also President of the Mackay and District Orchid Society.
Everyone was also very pleased to see Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall attend and during her speech she presented the Proserpine Orchid Society with a framed notice of appreciation from Council on its sixtieth anniversary.
“A sixty-year anniversary for a community group is an amazing achievement,” Mayor Julie Hall said.
“That’s older than me! To get to that age is simply amazing and to see so many people here today is absolutely wonderful. It’s societies and communities like this that make our community as a whole.
“On behalf of Whitsunday Regional Council: congratulations.”
After Mayor Julie’s speech the celebratory cake was cut, and a slideshow depicted the 60 year history of the Orchid Society was presented.
The Proserpine and Orchid Society meet on the fourth Saturday of the month at 1.30pm at the Queensland Country Women’s Association (QCWA) Hall in Proserpine.
Each year the club hold a Fields Day where orchid societies from across the region are invited to join the group, explore local gardens and enjoy a sausage sizzle.
The next one will take place on July 23 this year at the Proserpine Tennis Club venue.
The Orchid Society also hold an annual Christmas party on the second Saturday in December, in a combined event with the Bowen Garden Club, the Whitsunday Garden Club and the Bowen Orchid and Foliage Society members.
All new members are welcome, and the Society looks forward to celebrating another 60 years.
Organisers would like to thank everyone who helped organise their 60th celebrations and those who brought a plate of food on the day.
Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society Patron Mrs Margaret Ruge cutting the cake with Mayor Julie Hall
Everyone enjoyed the Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society’s 60th birthday celebrations
Mayor Julie Hall with Proserpine Orchid and Foliage Society Treasurer Eileen Cameron and President Mervyn Fuller
