Town Talk | Avonlea Flowers: still blooming after 36 years

However, as one of my callers said recently, “the days are going so fast, it will be spring next week”.

Time goes faster as the years go by.

That’s what my mother told me, and I guess yours did too, but I hope your response was kinder than mine.

I said something like this: “There are 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour and 60 seconds in a minute — how can it be faster or slower?”

However, when I began to notice that the weeks were going quickly, I looked for a reason — and really thought I’d found one.

The pulse of the Earth was a bit faster.

Could this be the answer?

Back in the 1960s, I’d read about the Earth’s pulse and how scientists couldn’t agree on what caused it.

Then, three or four decades later, I read that the pulse had picked up speed.

That corresponded to what I was experiencing, so here was an answer!

Except it wasn’t!

Today, the pulse is every 26 seconds, and has been for some time.

Perhaps it is simply old Gaia’s heartbeat — steady as she goes — no matter what human beings do to one another, or to her.

But, for many of us, it will be spring next week!

Gentlemen (or ladies for that matter), before you see the pretty pictures and decide this week’s effort is not for you, I have a suggestion.

In the future, you may be grateful.

If you happen to forget a birthday or a wedding anniversary, there is a solution.

The Avonlea Flower Shop is open every day from 7am until 7pm.

It is self-serve.

Just choose one of the very beautiful, very large bunches of flowers on display ($50).

Or select some of the smaller bunches ($10 each).

Pay with EFTPOS, tap and go, or cash.

It may not be on your way home from work, but it’s a better option than sad, disappointed eyes.

And it is money well spent.

My large bunch has filled my two largest vases and looks stunning.

Avonle Flowers

Although I have been a customer — and a recipient — of Avonlea Flowers for some years, I had never visited the site.

I wanted to have a chat with Julie Weidenbach about what is now the largest flower farm in the Southern Hemisphere.

Julie selected a table in the sun, and we talked about the beginnings, her family and mine, and the tough times.

The beginning

Julie’s parents had a property in the area, Cantlin’s flower farm, where she had worked and learned.

When she met David, they decided to buy property nearby, where the soil was just as good, and plant some crops.

In 1989, they planted gladioli, carnations and Dutch Iris, all of which grew successfully and were transported to Cantlin’s farm for sale.

It was a small, somewhat gentle beginning.

The arrival of twin girls that same year changed that; particularly as they were followed by two more girls and a boy.

By 1994, the Weidenbachs had a growing business — and five children under five.

While I was trying to imagine just how difficult this would have been, Julie was smiling.

It was a happy memory and, as our discussion continued, I gained the strong impression that this is a cohesive and happy family.

Julie told me that, on Mothers’ Day, the entire family was working in the flower shop — Julie and David, their children and partners, and all nine grandchildren.

And this is a point worth making!

The cost of flowers at Avonlea has not increased for more than 10 years.

In fact, Julie can’t remember, and it is probably longer than that.

What have you purchased lately that hasn’t gone up in price?

However, they say the price is okay and they have no plans to increase it.

COVID and the flood

Every business owner I have spoken with about COVID has told me of its difficulties — and the negative aftermath.

But here was an exception.

Julie remembers it as a peaceful, yet profitable time.

There was no importation of flowers from overseas, and they transported most of their flowers to the Melbourne market.

As some local florists were still taking orders and delivering flowers, there was no difficulty in selling their crops.

However, the flood of 2022 was a different matter.

Although the water was high for a relatively short time, the damage was severe.

The flood left rubbish and a plethora of weeds.

It was three months before they could plant a crop and 12 months before they had completely recovered.

(Some might have increased their prices at this point!)

Now, things are back to normal; they have 35 hectares undercover, over two locations.

Roughly speaking, they send one third of their produce to Sydney, one third to the Melbourne market and sell the last third locally.

Popular now

Regrettably, the lisianthus season is coming to an end.

They are enormously popular (with me and just about everyone else).

They come in white, pink, purple, cream, yellow and green.

I bought some last week, and they are still going strong — but if you want a bunch, you’ll have to hurry.

However, coming into stride are oriental lilies.

Their large blooms open into a star shape with a pleasant perfume.

They come in white and various shades of pink and will be with us until October.

The Asiatic lilies are also striking and come in more colours; these are available all year round.

The bulbs for these lilies are purchased from Holland.

Want some?

I’m aware that some people think there is too much work connected to fresh flowers in the home.

I’m definitely not one of those people.

Walking into a room with fresh flowers and their gentle perfume brings me joy beyond description.

And giving them a freshen-up is not work at all.

The easiest way to order is by phone — but, if you want them delivered on the same day, you will need to call before 9.30am.

Deliveries are Tuesday to Friday.

Or you could take a drive.

Avonlea Flowers is 20 minutes from Mooroopna, along the Toolamba Rd (on your left), or six minutes from Murchison along River Rd.

There is signage, and they are open seven days from 7am to 7pm.

Let us all hope that this family-run business, having been with us for 36 years, will be going strong for many years to come.

Avonlea Flowers must surely be one of the region’s most successful enterprises.

I wish them all well!

The cost of living

Everyone talks about it, but prices still keep going up.

Our home insurance has increased by 24 per cent — and the supermarket sending me a voucher for $10 off my next shop is a drop in the bucket.

I understand that the insurance companies have been hit hard, but I can’t help wondering if the increases are truly justified — or if greed is the driving force.

All we can do is to take care of ourselves and one another.

Maybe we could remember how powerful ‘gratitude’ is.

May it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. The News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187.