Thousands of volunteer hours and 12 months in the making, this year’s 2018 Camellia Show and Garden Expo is just one sleep away, to be held from Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 July.
Over the next two days thousands of garden lovers from across Australia and beyond will descend upon the TAFE Toowoomba campus in Campbell Street to celebrate one of Queensland’s largest Camellia Shows. Iconic Joan Falvey Camellia Hall will become a kaleidoscope of unimaginable colour as thousands of blooms, of what is arguably the world’s favourite flower, come together for this two-day extravaganza. Colourful committee member Greg Johnson believes that is just the beginning of a stunning garden lover’s weekend. “There’s so much to see and so much to do I simply don’t think two days is enough,” he said. “Front of program are three internationally-regarded experts who will deliver ten contrasting presentations, back-to-back, throughout the show.”
Camellia expert Dr Stephen Utick will provide two major presentations on camellias and has asked visitors to bring along specimens from their gardens for identification and cataloguing. “Show favourite Claire Bickle from Gardening for the Good Life and ABC Gardening Australia’s Garden Guru Phil Dudman will be at their entertaining best and will leave visitors dreaming about major garden makeovers in their own patch.”
A major feature of this camellia celebration is the Winter Garden of Pat and Maryanne Lovett at 10 Granada Drive Highfields, which visitors can see directly or hop on the famous Toowoomba Sightseeing bus which will leave each day from TAFE. Committee President Kevin Cotterell agreed it would be a busy weekend. “Camellias are certainly the focus but visitors can also anticipate a 50-strong exhibitor presence, non-stop entertainment from local acts, local fruit and vegetables, gardening tools and equipment, food court and car club displays – something for everyone,” he said.
Gates will open at 9am for the show/expo and 10am for the Winter Garden. Entry fee is a tiny $8 for the show/expo, $5 for the winter garden or $10 for the whole package with proceeds going to Toowoomba Hospice.
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