History

The Mt Macedon Horticultural Society has been in operation for more than 80 years now. An overview of our history is given below, compiled by Barney Hutton.

Historical Highlights of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society Inc

1921

Joseph Firth (superintendent of the State Nursery for 40 year) promulgated the formation of a district Horticultural Society.

1922 Nov 22

Inauguration of the Mount Macedon & District Horticultural Society, the chief office bearers were:

President: Mr G Brown (Head Gardener, Bolobeck)
Vice President: Mr E J Scott (Huntly Burn)
Mr W McKay (Policeman, Macedon)
Secretary: Mr R E Rutherford (held office 1922 – 1966)

1923 Mar 3

First flower show opened by Mrs Grimwade of Drusilla, was held in the Working Men’s Club and attracted more the 700 entries. Schedule included sections for cut flowers, vegetables, fruit, pot plants, cakes, needlework and schoolwork. Competition for best cottage garden, and another for pupils of Macedon and Mount Macedon schools.

1924 Nov 7

First Spring Show, Outstanding displays of flowers and flowering shrubs.

1930 Mar 8

Autumn Show held in the (unfinished) new hall. First time gardens open to the public, with an admission fee of three pence.

1941 Dec

Society went into recess during the war.

1946 Jan 5

Horticultural Society reformed, and the office bearers of 1941 re-elected. Due to the neglect many of the big gardens suffered over the war year, the Show schedule was revised, and admission to open gardens increased to one shilling. All profits from the Autumn Show donated to the Kyneton Hospital. Historical Highlights of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society Inc

1969 Jan

The Society accepted the offer from Working Men’s Club, to use its building with the prevision that it retained use of the Billiard Room.

1972 Dec 2

50^th Anniversary celebrations at a luncheon attended by 130 guests. Proceedings drew to an end with the cutting of the birthday cake by Miss Ronalds, a Foundation Member of the Society.

1975 Jan 16

The Society’s hall destroyed by fire and the CWA become its new temporary home.

1983 Feb 16

Ash Wednesday bushfire devastated the mount and claimed five lives. Among the hundreds of homes destroyed, were those of many of the Society’s members, and the President’s nursery. Autumn Show, staged and strongly supported by the Kyneton Horticultural Society, was held in the Mount Macedon Fire Brigade. The Society received much support from other societies and garden clubs. In particular, Mount Wilson in NSW, raised money through open gardens for the beautification of the Mount.

1984

The Autumn and Spring Shows held at Barbara Strange’s property. Incorporation of Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society Inc.

1985

Moved to present site. First competitive show held since the 1960’s as well as Autumn & Spring Shows.

1986

The Commonwealth Government granted the lease of site to the Golf Club. Hall was officially opened by Mr Neil O’Keefe MHR on 12 March 1986. The Society campaigned to improve equipment and amenities for shows and meetings.

1992

The Horticultural Society, in its own well appointed abode, significantly increased its membership by inviting excellent Historical Highlights of the Mount Macedon and District Horticultural Society Inc guest speakers at monthly meetings, also with the regular talk and display of plants in bloom.

1996 late

Decided to hold a celebratory 75^th Birthday on 22nd March 1997 at the Woodend Community Centre with Peter Valder as guest speaker.