Native flower growers, researchers and industry leaders from around Queensland and New South Wales, will meet in Toowoomba during May for a day of presentations at the inaugural Annual Native Flower Seminar Day. 

The program is aimed at maximising the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian native flower industry which is currently feeling the pressure from diminishing returns from export markets and increasing production and transportation costs. 

The Seminar will be held on the 26th & 27th May at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Tor St complex in Toowoomba and is being organised by the Flower Association of Queensland – the state peak industry body.

Key speakers for the event include Ewan Colquhoun who will give the opening address on the Federal Industry Partnership Process and Gerry Parlevliet from Department of Agriculture, Western Australia who will speak on “What is a profitable flower farm” and “New crop development.”  

There will also be in-depth discussions on production management including the South East Queensland Irrigation Futures Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative in which the cut flower industry has now been included.  There will also be discussions on exporting, marketing and the latest research & development results.

A field tour on the 27th May will take in a local native flower farm and will also include a visit to the revolutionary shaped greenhouse research facility at the University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus.

A dinner will be held on Friday night at Angelo’s House, 210 Herries Street, Toowoomba.  Delegates will enjoy a sumptuous three course meal followed by a demonstration of native floral arrangements by local florist Sandy Kahler of Highfields Florist.

For a booking form and/or further information, please call Wendy at FAQI on 3824 9537 or email faqi@flowersqueensland.asn.au.  Program information can also be obtained at the FAQI website www.flowersqueensland.asn.au .