Sustainable floral design, community connection, gratitude and remembrance, all stemmed from a chance meeting as the gate was opened to greet Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, MP Federal Member for Higgins. Totally random that I would be in my studio at this time and that Michelle was out meeting her constituents, and she rings our Studio door bell. I introduced myself as the Founder and Principal Designer for Ardrie Park Floral Studio and my question to Michelle was “why do you do what you do”, an engaging conversation ensued as we stood in the sunshine on this still, autumn morning in Melbourne. My ask of Michelle was to represent the needs of Small Business within her electorate and to influence Industry Leaders in Melbourne on the call to action towards a more sustainable future, no more talking, demonstration was needed, and I introduced Ardrie Park Floral Studio.
Two days later I receive a message requesting a quote for 3 wreaths. Working through the mechanics, products, wholesale prices and time, I swiftly provided Michelle’s Electoral Officer with a quote for 3 sizes of sustainable wreaths, delivered to her offices, in time for Michelle to participate in the ANZAC Day 2024 memorial services. The order was placed and I went into planning mode.
Fast forward 10 days from that chance meeting between an MP and a Sustainable Florist, I found myself at the East Malvern RSL dawn service. Standing in the darkness and stillness of the crisp early morning air, amongst my local community, listening to stories, poems, songs and tributes to those who had fallen, those who had fought, and those who had supported those who had fought and fallen, in service to our great country. The words of bravery and courage, of men and women from years gone by, resonating through to my bones as I stood in complete awe and silence.
I watched steeped in gratitude as Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah lay the very wreath that I had created in my studio, in honour of those who had fought and fallen. The bugle played Reveille, breaking the one minute silence, the flags were slowly raised to the masthead and both the Australian and the New Zealand national anthems swept across all those attending, as the sun slowly rose in the east. A moment in time, shared by young and old, from all walks of life, all in honour of those who have fought and those who have fallen for our country. Lest we forget.
So how does a Sustainable Florist go about creating the wreaths that were laid at the East Malvern RSL on ANZAC Day Dawn Service, 25th of April, 2024.
Let us take you on the journey. On receipt of the order from the Electoral Office, contact was made with a local Flower Farmer and an appointment booked to collect the flowers, in this case it was Anna and Ray from 302Flowers in Gisborne, Victoria.
Three days out from delivery, and using foliage that had recently been trimmed from a neighbouring pine, 3 base wreaths were constructed with natural twine, twisting and shaping into the circular wreath shapes.
Two days out from delivery, the Ardrie Park Floral Studio’s electric car glided up the freeway to Gisborne to meet with Anna and Ray on their Flower farm, 302Flowers. No visit is complete without a walk around the farm to see what’s in bloom and what’s being planted. Also to hear about the local weather conditions, how they luckily missed the frosts last week and how they are welcoming of the rain this week. A fair price paid for the flowers and foliage, reflective of the labour and love that Anna and Ray have put into growing these beauties. Natures gifts are placed straight into water in buckets (no plastic sleeves used) and transported back to Melbourne.
Back in the studio, coffee in hand and Elli Fitzgerald playlist on Spotify for inspiration, now to design the flowers and foliage into and around the wreath bases. The Pink Ice Protea’s and yellow Billy Buttons, add such grace, with a pop of colour to these native wreaths. The smell of eucalypt wafting through the studio. Wreaths are placed in the Flower fridge to remain fresh prior to delivery.
Recycling cardboard boxes and wrapping with biodegradable, recycled Kraft paper to make the bases to carry the wreaths, each wreath was now completely covered in native flowers and foliage, ready to be delivered. Adding the Ardrie Park Floral Studio Flower care card, that’s also been printed on recycled paper, a note is written to Michelle thanking her for trusting Ardrie Park Floral Studio to make these wreaths. Also advising that the wreaths are fully compostable and can be added to green waste on completion. Given our commitment to sustainability, no single use plastics, no floral foam and no nasty chemicals were used in their design and creation.
And so, the meeting of MP and the sustainable Florist on that still, sunny, Autumn morning in April. Lest we forget.
Contact us to discuss your next event and how Ardrie Park Floral Studio can work with you to bring your vision to life, creating stunning floral designs that express all of nature’s beauty and ignite your spaces.
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Summary : A chance meeting
- Allowing space for a "chance" meeting, who knows where it will lead you, who you may meet and what you may learn.
- Don’t underestimate the power of community and sense of grounding as we connect with others in our neighbourhood.
- Every positive action, kindness to each other, environmentally friendly approach, takes us towards a better planet for all.
Kirsten McMahon is a SFN Member Florist.
