Good Country Feel

Botanists Katie White and Anne Rick at the Ravensthorpe Wildflower Festival. Photos: Sue Leighton

The Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show opening went extremely well with a mixture of visitors and locals present on Monday, according to coordinator Sue Leighton.

“Some scientists and experts were there but the Ravensthorpe community gives out that good country feel with kids singing, and kids from Rave About Arts made ceramic brooches and handed them out,” she said.

“It’s one thing that brings this whole community together, farmers, officer workers, children, pensioners, it brings them all together.”

Ms Leighton said children assisted with catering and along with Qualup choir, sang in the school choir, lending their enthusiasm to the whole proceeding.

“Bringing the kids in is just fantastic,” she said.

“Some of those kids will become volunteer pickers for us — we have 190 to 200 volunteers who bring this thing together.

“It’s very heart warming, despite all the things that happen to us.”

Ms Leighton was referring to the closure of the two local mines which are going on to care and maintenance.

“Farming comes and goes, mining comes and goes, but the wildflowers are always there for us,” she said.

“We are in the heart of the Fitzgerald biosphere. UNESCO quotes us as being on par with the Galapagos and Amazon for biodiversity.

“Right across the southeast coast there will be wildflower shows, but we have been here 42 years as volunteers and we don’t rely upon funding.”

The Opening

Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show president Jennifer Bidulph was MC for the night.

After a Welcome to Country from Julie Dabb, and songs from Qualup choir with Ravensthorpe School choir, Ms Bidulph introduced PhD candidate Thomas Messaglio.

Mr Messaglio spoke about citizen science and how all can contribute to documenting flora. 

Award winning wildlife photographer Georgina Steytler spoke about the importance of ethical photography and recording biodiversity of nature.

WA Herbarium volunteer and author Malcolm French AOM spoke about undertaking research, identifying eucalypt specimens and providing taxonomic advice. 

The three then cut the ribbon with Shelley Payne MLC to officially open the show.

Ravensthorpe Wildflower Show continues until September 21 with a variety of activities.