More than 250 wholesalers, growers and industry gathered at the Maritime Ballroom, Hyatt Hotel, Sydney, to celebrate the Sydney Markets Gala Ball on Saturday night.
The inaugural wholesaler and flower combined ball included the announcement of the winners of the Sydney Markets Flower scholarship awards.
Chief executive Martin Clark and president Nick Martelli jointly awarded the NSW Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Merit Award to James Mendonca.
Flower Growers Group of NSW president Wayne Inglis was joined by Member for Drummoyne and Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet John Sidoti and Sydney Market chief executive Brad Latham to present 10 winners with trophies: Nicola Hart, Kurri Jurri TAFE; Francessa Papaioannou, Sydney TAFE; Jade Aupouri, Campbelltown TAFE; Megan Graham, Padstow TAFE; Hikaru Fisher, Hornsby TAFE; Kalea Blowes, Orange TAFE; Heemae Koh, Hornsby TAFE; Talisa Ielasi, Padstow TAFE; Maria Wehbe, Ryde TAFE; and Lina Kim, Pearsons School of Floristry; and overall winner Maria Wehbe, Ryde TAFE.
Denis Secco, a past president of the association, presented the Floristry school winner to Joanne Hynard, Padstow TAFE.
