Encouraging young talent in the New South Wales flower industry ensures a bright future for the industry according to the Australian Flower Council, the trading name of Flower Growers Group of NSW Inc.
Each year the growers group runs the Scholarship of the Year Award where aspiring young floristry students compete in a practical flower arranging competition.
Each student was given a mystery box of flowers along with a design brief and the marking criteria.
They then had one hour to create a table arrangement using the flowers supplied.
Sammy Bate, a young floristry student from the NSW Southern Highlands was announced the winner at the NSW Annual Flower Growers Ball at Dockside, Darling Harbour on Saturday, September 17.
According to Sammy she was completely shocked when they announced her as this year’s winner.
“After we had finished creating our arrangement I remember looking around the room thinking how gorgeous everyone’s work was. I didn’t think that I would win at all. I was so shocked,” Sammy said.
This year a group of around 20 NSW floristry students competed for the coveted award which gives them the opportunity to continue their floristry studies.
For Sammy, who has just completed her Certificate III in Floristry at Pearsons School of Floristry, the scholarship gives her the opportunity to go on to do Certificate IV, which is the highest certificate in floristry.
“I am very excited about the opportunity for more study. I have really enjoyed studying… discovering all the different aspects to floristry,” she said.
For one of the flower industry’s brightest talents, making the decision to get into the business was very spontaneous and one she thanks her good friend and boss, Kathleen, for.
“Kathleen, who runs Blooms of Bowral in the NSW Southern Highlands, needed a hand for a few hours each afternoon after school,” she said.
“It was my first ever job and I gradually worked more hours learning all the time and decided to get my qualifications. That was three years ago and I love it.”
Sammy’s favourite thing about working in the flower industry is being surrounded by beautiful botanics and she is not fazed by the challenge of early morning visits to the Sydney Flower Market.
“Going to the Flower Market is definitely worth it because you get to see all the beautiful flowers fresh from the growers and chat with all the people you know,” she said.
“I love the crazy atmosphere; it’s amazing that everyone is so awake at four in the morning. It’s really inspiring.”