Some roses are red. Most violets are blue. Wollongong’s Botanic Garden is home to amazing things, and as of today, some special purple roses, too.
The new ‘Inspirational Women’ Rose species came from local Rotarian Dorothy ‘Dot’ Hennessy OAM who had them specially created to celebrate, you guessed it, inspiring women in our community.
New roses are created through a process called hybridisation, which involves cross-pollinating two different roses to produce a new variety. ‘Inspirational Women’ is a Floribunda Rose crafted by Brisbane-based rose breeder Vivienne Dixon. It has deep purple petals that frill around the edges and fade to white with a nice perfume.
Dot explained that the idea came from none other than former Governor General “First Lady” The Honourable Linda Hurley, who she met during the Hurleys’ time as Patrons of the Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards.
“Mrs Hurley, a rose gardening enthusiast, mentioned that she had a rose made to recognise the service of the wives of the Governor Generals. I thought it was a splendid idea for our Rotary Inspirational Women Award recipients and perhaps, down the track, a fundraiser,” she said.
“This rose recognises the women who have inspired me and continue to be an inspiration in our community.”
Among those inspirations Dot lists her mother, Adelaide, who was a Deaconess in the Anglican Church during the Great Depression; Felicity Skoberne, the first female Curator of the Wollongong Botanic Garden; and our very own Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown.
“The timing is just perfect with Tania [Brown], another gracious, inspiring woman and leader, taking office as the first female Lord Mayor for Wollongong.”
Dot, together with her husband of 63 years Bob, donated three plants for Wollongong Botanic Garden’s Rose Garden. She was on hand to plant them at a special reception today alongside Mrs Hurley and the Lord Mayor.
Image: The new ‘Inspirational Women’ Rose species is a vivid purple.
“In my various roles with Rotary, we have partnered with Wollongong City Council over many years on many projects, notably the fabulous Greenhouse Park, Mt Kembla Summit Park and several events here at the Garden,” she said.
“Bob and I love this city beyond belief. Every time we drive down Mt Ousley we think ‘it’s good to be home.’
“We wanted Wollongong to have something tangible which will continue to bloom like these incredible women.”
Councillor Brown said she was honoured to acknowledge and celebrate inspirational women of the past, present and future.
“Since taking office, I’ve been touched by the warm reception I have received, particularly from young women. This rose is for you all,” said Cr Brown.
“It is a great source of pride that all four Directors of Wollongong City Council are female, a rarity in Local Government, and to have Councillor [Linda] Campbell by my side makes for a formidable combination.
Cr Brown also returned serve to “the dynamic and relentless Dorothy Hennessy.”
“Dot is a dedicated community volunteer and an absolute trailblazer, being the first female President of the Rotary Club of Wollongong.
“The creation of Greenhouse Park, just south of the city centre, is one of her many, many achievements. Put simply, you can’t say no to Dot!”
‘Inspirational Women’ will bloom beside the likes of ‘Peace’, which was smuggled to America from occupied France in 1945, and the ‘Wollongong Gold’ Rose which was developed in 1997 to mark the 50th anniversary of Wollongong City.
opens daily at 7am. While the Rose Garden closes at 4.30pm each day, the remainder of the Garden can be viewed until 6pm on weekdays and 6.45pm on weekends and public holidays. The Rose Garden can be found west of duck pond in the south-eastern corner. Entry via Murphys Avenue.
Know someone who does great things locally? Consider nominating them for a City of Wollongong Award . Nominations close on 30 November 2024.
