Jamberoo local Colin Hollis was bestowed a great honour of one of the highest awards at the AGM of Garden Clubs Australia in Albury and he said it could be his last.

Hollis has been an influential figure in spurring the growth of Rose Society groups across the Sydney region and was awarded the President’s Award of the Garden Clubs of Australia, which was presented by president Lori Emerson.

“I’ve been a member of the society now for over 20 years and have been a president for many years,” Hollis said.

“Other than a life membership, this award is the highest award that can be bestowed on an individual.

“The interesting thing about this award is the 780 affiliated groups across Australia and has close to 100,000 members.”

Hollis felt it was a remarkable coincidence that the two highest awards went to people from the Kiama region.

“As well as my award, the life membership award went to [Kiama local] Deirdre McLachlan and she got the highest award that can be bestowed on an individual,” he said.

Hollis is also a key figure in maintaining Peace Park on Manning Street, along with a group of volunteers and he enjoys the weekly camaraderie and the feedback from the visitors.

“We get lots of people walking through there and they are always complimentary about the park.

“I’d like to expand our planting there at Peace Park, but without the volunteers we are very restricted in what we can do,” he said.

Speaking through the challenges the group faces with Peace Park and the environment, sometimes it is Mother Nature and other times, well, human nature.

“Sometimes you get the hot wind coming through and that will burn the rose petals, and then other times we don’t know if vandals knock them over,” he said.

“We have suffered a little bit this year with people stealing our roses. We lost about eight bushes within the last year.”

Peace Park on Manning St Kiama Photo: The Bugle

Hollis is liberal minded when it comes to acceptance but cannot help his frustration.

“I don’t mind them so much taking the roses (bulb), I prefer them not to, but it does make me very angry when they take the whole bush,” Hollis said.

“The roses are there for everyone.

“They are there for people when they walk through the park to enjoy them and appreciate them, and you know it is not very civic minded.”

Hollis expressed his cheeky side when asked about his recent award but directed the conversation back to Peace Park, which he talks about with much enthusiasm.

“I certainly did not get a big cheque with it,” he said.

“I think it is not only for the work I have done in Peace Park, but being the state president of the society involves a lot of travel throughout the state.”

The Illawarra Rose Society - Rosy Day rose display will be held at Burnett’s on Barney Plant Nursery at 80 Barney St. Kiama on Saturday 1 November between 9am and 4:30pm, an event Hollis says should not be missed!