David Bell Gold Medal

Hello All,

 One of the most prestigious awards of the NDSNZ is the David Bell Gold Medal.  This award has been given out sparingly since the first winner (Bill Brogden) received it in 1992.  Indeed only seven people have received the award in total.  This year there were two people honoured – Wilf Hall, for his outstanding work with tazettas and John McLennan, primarily for breeding early varieties but also for his exhibition flowers, especially doubles.  They join the honours list which includes New Zealand’s most successful hybridizers.

 Also honoured was Max Hamilton who joins Betty Bowers as a Society Vice Patron.

 A new level of honour was introduced this year.  Many people do sterling work for the Daffodil and/or the Society but do not meet the criteria for other awards.   Accordingly Executive has introduced  a “Certificate of Recognition”.   Three awards were made this year – to Railene Mabin who has developed an amazing garden of naturalized daffodils and on her open day sells flowers for the benefit of the Plunkett Society, to Claude Poulsen for his outstanding service over many years to the Society especially in his home city of Lower Hutt, and to Alan Neilsen who has put in many hours of work as the Society’s Auditor.

 Last but not least I am delighted to report that Mr Les Cleveland, a philanthropist and lover of many plants (especially rhododendrons and daffodils) has accepted the post of Patron of the Society.  Through the Cleveland Foundation Les has supported the Society by providing funds for the colour pages of the Annual, as well as the Cleveland Awards for selected classes at our National Shows.  Les attended the Lower Hutt National and his enthusiasm for promoting our favourite flower was obvious.  He has already been instrumental in the mass planting of daffodils in his home city of Dunedin and he hopes to spread this further in the near future.  His acceptance speech at the AGM was, to say the least stimulating.

Lesley Ramsay

National President

NDSNZ