The International Rose Garden Festival Morwell moved into new territory on the 14^th and 15^th November when it was held in a virtual environment. While the roses still bloomed in the world famous Centenary Rose Garden of Morwell, the COVID restrictions made it impossible for the festival to proceed in its usual format. This provided Council the opportunity to extend the reach of the festival to a global audience via the internet.

International presenters including; Jonathan Webster, Curator of the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens Rosemoor (UK) and Rebecca Koraytem of David Austin Roses (US) provided some insightful knowledge about rose preparation in other countries. Other speakers included leading rosarian, Kelvin Trimper from Adelaide and local beekeeper Sean-Paul Smith from the Latrobe Valley Bee Keeper Association. And let’s not forget festival favourite, host of ABC Gardening Australia Costa Georgiadis, who entertained us with a rare insight to the rose gardens at the Sydney Cemetery. He then put on his gumboots and danced up a storm out in the garden with eco warrior’s dirtgirl and scrapboy doing the gumboot boogie.

In addition, the virtual environment saw participants attend from across the globe including Canada, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Pakistan and Dubai as well as gardening enthusiasts from every state in Australia. Over 800 patrons registered prior to the event and the main stage received over 14,000 visits during the festival.

In another first, Auslan interpreters were used for all presentations on the Main Stage which provided a wonderful opportunity to make the event even more inclusive and accessible.    

Nearly 2000 local residents took the opportunity to view the AGL Midsummer Night Lights Show in the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden across the weekend.

Social distancing was maintained throughout the garden and many families took the opportunity to finally have something to celebrate as they marvelled at the outstanding illumination installation.