August 1995 saw the first issue of Cymbidiums Australia appear as the back half of the Australian Orchid Review, a truly national, full colour Australian cymbidium magazine, only months after the initial idea was first proposed. (Recognition and thanks must go to Ron Houlohan and Barry Badger of graphic World for taking a chance on a newly formed organization and agreeing to print Cymbidiums Australia as part of the AOR.)
The first National Cymbidium show was staged in Ararat, Victoria, hosted by the Cymbidium Orchid Club of Victoria in September 1996. This was a hugely successful event with the best commercial and hobby growers from around Australia exhibiting flowering cymbidiums and cut stems.
While 1997 saw the National Cymbidium Show return to Ararat, by 1998 the concept of the show being hosted by different member states had been decided on and in ’98 the show was staged in NSW and by SA in ’99, then back to Victoria in 2000. The practice of member state clubs hosting the show has continued over the years with WA hosting the National Cymbidium Show for the first time this year, 2010.
A Cymbidium Seedling of the Year competition was developed in order to promote the growing of new seedling cymbidiums and the work of cymbidium hybridizers, particularly Australian hybridizers and sponsorship was secured with “Sage Horticultural”, a partnership which has continued for 14 years.
A fully standardized national show schedule was developed by 2002 and while minor changes are agreed and instigated from time to time, the format provides a level of certainty for exhibitors from year to year and state to state.
At around the same time a national judging handbook and awards system had been developed and was granted international recognition by the International Orchid Commission.
National Cymbidium Shows have drawn international visitors, including both hobbyist and commercial cymbidium enthusiasts from all over the world including, Europe, America, South Africa, Asia and New Zealand, with many of them returning regularly to attend National Cymbidium Shows and visit Australian nurseries and growers. The major sponsor of the National Cymbidium Show over the past 7 years has been Fleurijn Orchid-Holland, a major Dutch cymbidium cut flower producer and Australian cymbidium hybrids feature in the nursery stock of many overseas nurseries both in Europe and Asia.
ACS Recognition of Excellence Recipients
Date Name State
1998 Alvin Bryant NSW
1999 Dean Roesler SA
2000 Bob Nicolle SA
2001 Syd Monkhouse SA
2002 John Gulbis NSW
2003 Ern Kettle VIC
2004 Kevin Black NSW
2005 Moss Bray SA
2006 Not Given
2007 Not Given
2008 Not Given
2009 Not Given
2010 Rob & Noe Smith
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