OCNZ Newsletter: October 2018

2019 National Orchid Expo, September 19-22: Update from the Organisers
To be hosted by Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay societies at FlyPalmy Arena, September 19-22, 2019, with set up on Wednesday, September 18. Hopefully you are well into planning for your participation! Commercial spaces are filling up nicely, but room still remains should you wish to be part of the action. We have had a good response from many clubs and societies booking display spaces, and if your club has not done this yet, please think about putting a display together for the big occasion.

We have been encouraged to have a joint clubs’ sales table. The organising committee has decided this will be entirely planned and put on by the clubs and societies who would like to see it happen, so please let us know if you are keen to take on this responsibility. Rather than pay the commercial rate for the space, we have decided that a 20% commission will be charged as has been the case in the past.

A fine line-up of speakers is being organised, with acceptances so far from Australia and New Zealand and a couple more likely from Asia. For all of you planning to attend the Expo, it is not too early to book your accommodation. Further information will be made available in the Expo Newsletters. The organising committee can be contacted by email.

South Island Judges Seminar: October 20-21, Nelson
There is still time to register. For more information please email Gillian Lyster or Peter Fisher from the Nelson Judging Group.

Iwitahi Annual Summer Camp: December 8-9
Working from Sika Lodge. For more information and to book your place email Bill Liddy.

2019 Yearbook
Now is the time to start thinking about articles and advertisements for the 2019 Yearbook. The yearbook committee would like articles about events and anniversaries your society has been involved with, vales for well-known orchid personalities and orchid articles, in particular Miltoniopsis. You can contact the Yearbook committee on my email address at the bottom of the newsletter.

Vale Assid Corban, OBE
We were sad to learn of the passing of Assid Corban on September 17, aged 93. Assid was the driving force in the formation of the Waitakere Orchid Club, then known as the Auckland Orchid Club – he was a foundation member in 1983 and founding President, a position he held for nine years. During this time he also worked tirelessly to achieve the World Orchid Conference held in Auckland in 1990. Assid was a long-time member and Past President of the NZOS and an accredited judge in the NZOS system. Together with his wife Miriam, Assid was a competitive orchid grower. We send our condolences to Miriam and family.

Glenys MacRae