Whangarei
Whangarei Branch, NZ Camellia Society
Contacts:
Mrs Sue Owen (Branch Secretary)
127 McGill Road
R.D. 8, WHANGAREI, 0178 Ph. 09 4329594
Email [email protected]
Linda Muir (Branch Committee member) Ph. 09 435 1967 Email [email protected]
David Muir ( NZCS National Board) Ph. 09 435 1967 Email. [email protected].nz
The Whangarei Branch meets regularly, generally throughout the Camellia flowering season. It also circulates a monthly Email newsletter, which includes reminders about the next meeting.
Plus it has an interest in it's own Facebook page, Whangarei Camellias, and more. Additionally, a members-only Facebook Group provides a social-media forum, 24/7, for members.
Please contact the Secretary for meeting details. A warm welcome is extended to visitors and prospective new members.
The 2024 Branch meeting programme is listed below; obviously it is subject to changes by circumstances beyond our control. The highlight will again be the local Annual Show in August, followed by the National Show in New Plymouth. Other meetings will include garden visits, workshops, guest speakers, etc.. Most meetings include a raffle, a trading table, and a Camellia bloom competition that accumulates points throughout the year. Unless notified otherwise, all meetings will be at the Whangarei Amateur Radio Clubrooms at Barge Park, Maunu; and held on the second Thursday of the month, February to November.
May 9, 11am. Visit Whangarei Quarry Gardens, newly accredited as an ICS Camellia Garden of Excellence, to see their remarkable progress in recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle damage. Meeting, BYO lunch, then walk the Gardens.
June 13, 11am. Mid-year lunch -- details of time, venue, and cost to be confirmed and advised.
July 11: 11am. Meeting to do planning for our annual show; plus bring your own Camellia blooms and we'll have a benching workshop "how to display your flowers" with our in-house expertise (we have members who are trophy-winners at National level) Light lunch. (Non-members $10 lunch fee)
August 9 and 10, Local Annual Camellia Show. This year again at St. Johns Church Hall, in Kamo Road. The venue worked well last year, but we'll make a couple of tweaks to make it better. Good natural lighting.
Benching from 3pm on Friday 9th, again from 7am Saturday 10th, judging start time to be advised. Plus raffles, and an excellent trading table!
August 23 to 26 (Friday to Monday). New Zealand National Camellia Show. Distinction Hotel Palmerston North. Details elsewhere on this website; includes the Show, dinners, bus trips to garden visits, etc.
September 12, 11am. A garden visit and meeting at Palms Lifestyle Village, Tikipunga. Lunch at own cost in their community center cafe.
October 10, a demonstration of post-flowering pruning of Camellias, hosted at Kerry and Alan Upson's Onerahi garden. Details of what to bring will be in the October newsletter.
November , 11am. AGM followed by catered (full) end-of-year lunch. (Non-members $30 lunch fee). We hope to get a start on planning our 2024 programme, too.
Please note: all meetings scheduled for 2024 are subject to change. Any changes to the above schedule will be advised.
Camellia Nuccio's Pearl
The Whangarei Branch, established in 1965, has a tradition of Camellia breeding and appreciation, largely as a result of the work of two noted local plant breeders, Jim Finlay and Os Blumhardt. Both men are now deceased, but their legacy (their plants) remains. The local soils and climate (warm temperate to sub tropical) are conducive to Camellia growing. Join us to learn more !
Jim Finlay's masterpiece, Camellia High Fragrance
Os Blumhardt's internationally famous Camellia Night Rider