Rose Society of South Australia
To encourage, improve, foster and extend the cultivation
and appreciation of the Rose
and appreciation of the Rose
The Rose Society of South Australia Inc has grown from a modest yet enthusiastic start in 1908 to be the largest rose society in Australia, with members living across the State.
An article in South Australia’s daily newspaper, The Advertiser, heralded its genesis, advertising on 26th August of its founding year that a meeting would be held the next day, “in Mr Creswell’s rooms, Waymouth Street”, to form a National Rose Society of South Australia. The National Rose Society of England was cited as an example: being “one of the most influential of its kind”, and where “Society, Royalty and cottager meet on equal terms” at Rose Shows.
The principle objectives of the infant society were to: encourage all lovers of the rose in growing and exhibiting; and hold monthly competitions in classes accommodating monthly meetings where all items of interest in the culture of the rose would be discussed. These are very similar to those of the Society today.
A high profile senior public servant and Australian cricketer, Mr Harry Blinman MVO ISO (1861–1950), was elected as President. There have been 34 Presidents since. Among them have been rosarians who have made their mark on the world, elected to the Presidency or Executive positions of the World Federation of Rose Societies. Among them have been an Emeritus President of the World Society, the late Mr David Ruston OAM (1930–2019), Mr Kelvin Trimper AM (1954–2024) and most recently, Mrs Diane vom Berg, elected as President during the turbulence of the 2022 COVID pandemic.
Despite quick growth of the initial group to 50 members within only a month, world events have tested the Society—especially in early days. Declines in memberships and activities coincided with WWI and WWII. However, the resilience of South Australian rosarians could not be denied. The Society rallied, possibly helped by women, invited to attend meetings for the first time in 1918, and later, stalwart rosarians who took up their former mantles after a hiatus which occurred during WWII and post war years.
The biggest obstacle in recent times was the 2020–2022 COVID pandemic. The Society adapted and modernised, embracing digital technologies to stage rose shows and hold management meetings, then using COVID-friendly practices to hold Member’s Meetings in the shadow of the pandemic and continuing planning to host the 17th Convention of the World Federation of Rose Societies, postponed from late 2021 to late 2022.
While some horticultural bodies have faltered in recent years, impacted by ever-changing demands on modern life, the Society’s membership and finances remain relatively buoyant. The latter is largely the result of an innovative relationship with the South Australian based biological fertiliser suppliers, Neutrog Australia Pty Ltd.
Today, Adelaide is regarded as The Rose Capital of Australia. South Australia’s Mediterranean style climate, magnificent roses growing in many private and public gardens, the evolution of complimentary industries and big rose producers in South Australia, and Rose Shows and activities of The Rose Society of South Australia, all contribute to this view of the city.
There are two history books cataloguing the growth of the Society, held by the State Library of South Australia. They are The Rose Society of South Australia Inc 1908–2008 and The Rose Society of South Australia 2008–2018.
1908 Meeting held in Adelaide on 27th August to form the National Rose Society of South Australia. Males only admitted.
1917 Outbreak of WWI.
1918 Women invited to attend a general meeting.
1920 Australian rose breeder, Alistar Clark, gives the Society and the SA Horticultural and Floriculture Society propagation and sale rights to the climbing rose Black Boy, boosting the Society’s finances.
1920s Regular newspaper coverage in the Suburban Half-Acre section of the South Australian newspaper, The Mail.
1939 Outbreak of WWII.
1941 Society goes into recess.
1948 Meetings resume.
1951 First AGM post WWII held.
1950s Society is integral to the expansion of an historic rose collection at Urrbrae House and the creation of extensive rose beds in the Adelaide Parklands.
1967 Incorporation
1970s Society conducts demonstrations of rose pruning in Rymill Park for the public. Public demonstrations of rose pruning are given annually by the Society today.
1972 Name changed to The Rose Society of South Australia (RSSA), in line with practices by other Australia State rose societies.
1989 Secretary’s Bus Tours start, giving members the opportunity to visit rose gardens in Australia and New Zealand. These continue today under the banner, Rambling Rosarians.
1994 South East Branch formed.
1996 Chaffey Rose Club formed.
2001 Roses on Eyre formed.
2001 Mutually beneficial sponsorship arrangement entered between Neutrog and RSSA.
2004 Top End Branch formed (since closed).
2008 The World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention, Rose Adelaide 2008, hosted by The Rose Society of South Australia in Adelaide to commemorate the Society’s Centenary.
2012 Roses in the Heartland (Barossa Valley) formed (closed in 2023).
2020–2022 COVID Pandemic. Members Meetings suspended but the Society remains active using digital communications for club matters and in organisation of a World Convention, postponed from 2021.
2022 17th Triennial Convention of the World Federation of Rose Societies hosted by The Rose Society of South Australia in Adelaide.
Urrbrae House photo by Melanie Trimper