Emma Pritchard

An eye-catching assortment of bright and bold colours mixed with a variety of fragrant perfumes greeted visitors to the Rocky Mouth Pavilion at the Maclean Showground on the weekend when the Maclean and District Orchid Society hosted their 2023 Spring Show.

Featuring a stunning display of cattleyas, phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, oncidiums, and cymbidiums among the 368 entries from local and visiting members of Australian orchid societies, the popular annual event was once again a spectacular sight to behold.

Secretary of the Maclean and District Orchid Society Sue King said it was wonderful to receive such a high number of entries, and to welcome a steady flow of visitors during the event on September 22 and 23.

“Everyone was saying what a great show it was,” she recalled.

“People were amazed by all the different colours and the variety of orchids on display.

“While the recent climate has affected some of the blooms this year, people were saying the colours and the smell of the orchids hit them as soon as they walked in.

“The show was a great success.”

After the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters including devastating bushfires and floods recently impacted the region and subsequently forced the Maclean and District Orchid Society to postpone their Spring Show in previous seasons, Ms King spoke of her delight in seeing the event bring people back together once again in 2023.

“We’re such a social group, and to see so many happy, smiling faces, and to see crowds being able to come back together, it really has been wonderful,” she said.

Soft cane dendrobiums were among the most popular variety of orchid entered in the show with over 100 exhibits on display.

Regular show entrant Helen Seiver of Woolgoolga was awarded Grand Champion.

The Maclean and District Orchid Society are looking forward to hosting their Spring Show again in 2024.