ISA CONVENTION REPORT

Dear Iris-talk folk,
 
I have just returned from two wonderful days in Mildura, Victoria, OZ from the ISA Convention.
 
Mike Sutton, your folks are both well and getting a nice Ozzie tan.  Your dad has acquired an Akubra hat, and looks rather swish in it too, I might add!   We had a great day yesterday cruising along the Murray River in an old paddleboat.  The meal was great on board, the scenery was superb and the company outstanding!!!  Your mum was a spritely as a teenager and charmed us all.
 
Dianne Dalla Santa and her husband Bill have done a wonderful job, and have dotted every "i" and crossed every "t" of detail.  We had visited three gardens on the first day and three on the second day (plus the river cruise!) and have arrived home each day exhausted but exhilarated from the vistas enjoyed during the day.
 
I arose early (after a late night) to wave off the convention attendees this morning.  I must admit that I felt rather alone standing on the pavement seeing my friends trundle away into the Australian dust in their air conditioned bus bound for more adventures!!! 
 
A highlight of the first day was a visit to David Ruston's Rose garden.  It was large by most proportions, and held little gems at every turn.  I had the pleasure of meeting with fellow iris-talker Ann Pearce and her mum Fran. 
 
Fran hybridises roses, and I was in awe of her knowledge and expertise as we walked down the heritage rose rows.  Ann and I had originally separated from the group to go in search of Louisiana Iris which David advised were "over there" some distance away.  We found one lowly clump of EOLIAN doing its best to outshine the roses.
 
We all enjoyed a delightful luncheon in the shade of some seriously ancient trees and had views of seemingly endless rows of roses to enjoy with our chicken, chardonnay and triffle.  I was heard to remark "what a way to spend a Wednesday" and found it hard to remember that this was a work-a-day job for David Ruston.
 
Prior to our visit to David's rose garden we had visited the beautifully landscaped garden of Trevor and Judy Henschke in nearby Loxton.  The spurias were in full bloom and outshone the bearded Iris in many places.  This was a garden of devotion and dedication and we were all rather reluctant to leave such gardening splendour.
 
Yesterday we started the day off by travelling over the Murray River (which forms the border between the states of Victoria and New South Wales) to visit a gorgeous, architecturally awe inspiring garden.  The colour theme was white, pink, lilac and mauve.  Tall bearded Iris vied for our attention with David Austen climber roses, carnation "pinks", catmint and hippeastrums all in full bloom.  The garden featured a delightful pond which supported some Louisiana Iris doing their best to steal the scene.  Many photos taken...
 
However, I still believe that the greatest aspect of the convention was the pleasure derived from meeting and talking with fellow irisarians.  Folk had ventured from all over the country to attend and it was great to be able to finally put "faces to names".  Much hilarity, laughter, swapping of anecdotes and friendships have been forged already.
 
I am certain that other attendees with continue to advise you of further events.  I could only spare a few days away from the garden to attend, and while sorry to not be there still, am happy to be home again with my Bernard.
 
Cheers for now, 
Heather Pryor     i*@pip.com.au
 
 
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