Cut Flower Association Committee changes

At the AGM held in Christchurch a core of industry volunteers accepted responsibility for key portfolios as part of the industry action plan. Some changes to roles have been made to address key association priorities. David Blewden who has the interim President role will reduce his involvemnt to concentrate on the portfolio of Advocacy. Frans van Dorsser (Shipherd Nurseries) remains on the committee as does Ian Kempthorne with Membership Benefits and the Communications role, and Chris Smellie's secretarial role will expand to encompass some of the workload of the presidents role. Joanne Hurley and Theo van Lier of van Lier Nurseries will take on the Membership portfolio.

While the required minimum has been reached for forming a committee, David Blewden  reflected that in general fewer people are prepared to volunteer to work on behalf of associations such as the NZFGA, and Joy Knight of 'Florists of NZ Inc' supported this assertion, commenting that their association has seen similar trends. A call was made for closer liaison both between NZFGA and Florists of NZ, and also other Floriculture groups such as NZEGO, The Paeony Society, Calla Society and specialised grower groups.

All correspondence relating to the above should be directed in the first instance to Chris Smellie, Secretary, NZFGA at [email protected]