Caption: Annette Irish (left) with Judy Horton at the AIH Awards night in Adelaide both wearing the beautiful floral brooches they received as part of their awards.
The HMAA Laurels wasn’t the only horticultural event being held in early September in Adelaide. Running just after the Laurels was the Australian Institute of Horticulture’s conference and awards dinner. Annette Irish and Judy Horton OAM were both honoured with awards that were presented at the AIH dinner.
Judy was made Patron of AIH while Annette received Life Membership and a Merit Award for her booklet ‘Consultancies; fees for horticultural practices’. Both received a special brooch modelled on the diamond and platinum Wattle Brooch given to Queen Elizabeth II by Australia on her coronation in 1953. The Queen’s brooch features wattle flowers and leaves with tea tree flowers. To read more about the Wattle Brooch and see it in detail, see this link.
Connie Cao, also a member of HMAA, received an award for Student of the Year.
The brooch is designed to represent the national flower of Australia, and appropriately, it was made by an Australian firm, William Drummond. Made of platinum and set with white and yellow diamonds.
The brooch was commissioned as a gift for the new monarch, who received it in February 1954 during her Commonwealth tour. The brooch’s gorgeous floral design is an ideal choice for springtime occasions. In May 1960, the Queen wore it for her annual visit to the Chelsea Flower Show.
