NOT even 40-degree weather could keep flower lovers away from last weekend’s 55th annual Portland Dahlia and Rose Show.
Fortunately, it was cooler inside the Civic Centre for the 138 entrants and their spectacular displays.
The number of entrants and 300 visitors over the two days was not a record-breaker but still an excellent turnout considering the heat, Portland Dalia Society secretary Ian Hamley said.
Portland grower Stephen Brown bagged a swag of awards, including the Portland and Wannon Water championships in the open section, the Neil Robertson Challenge, and champion bloom open class, champion bloom of show and champion vase of show in the open section.
Mr Hamley took home several awards for his magnificent dahlias while his wife, Colleen, won champion rose novice class and the public vote for her basket of dahlias in the home gardener section.
Society president Bruce Millard, of Hamilton, also shone, his dahlias winning the Glenelg Shire and Pompon championships, the Alf Hardingham Memorial Challenge (a new category in honour of the society foundation member who died last year) and the Ray Nagorcka Memorial.
Mr Millard’s wife, Isobel, won champion rose open class. Other local winners were Heywood’s Leesa Thomas and Thiona Hardingham, daughter-in-law of the late Alf Hardingham.
Full results can be viewed at portlanddahliasocietyinc.com.au.
