Almost 20 years of the Gunnedah Rose Show

A Peace Rose by Louise Chad has taken out the Champion honours at the 2025 Spring Rose Show in Gunnedah.

It was one five first place prizes claimed by the champion rose exhibitor.

A total of 263 roses were entered in this year’s competition, but it was Ms Chad’s entry which stood out for veteran judge, Judy Clark.

She said the Peace Rose was not only a beautiful flower, it was also symbolic of the developing situation of the war in the Middle East.

“Maybe it’s the end of the war in Israel [and] the Israeli hostages might come home,” Judy said.

Louise Chad the winner of the Champion Rose.

The judge said not as many red roses appeared to be entered this year but the event did receive more pink, orange and apricot varieties.

Ms Clark said it was an honour to again adjudicate rose entries which were to another high standard despite weather challenges in the lead-up to this year’s show.

Entrants not only had to contend with high temperatures in the preceding days but also rain the evening before the show.

Gunnedah’s Julia Withers stepped out in the rainy night to cut some of her show roses before the water caused too much damage.

Also concerned about the rain damage was fellow entrant Megan Cross.

Megan Cross with some of her rose entries.

She entered several flowers including one pink rose described as “perfect” before the evening rain diminished its lustre slightly.

Ms Cross is more familiar growing orchids but entered the rose competition on a whim and simple enjoyment of the flower.

“I love them all,” she said of the rose varieties on display.

This year’s rose show was again supported by the Gunnedah Show Ladies Auxiliary and rose winners received prizes donated by local business sponsors.

Rose show convenor Coralie Howe described the weather as “a bit dicey” leading up to the event but was pleased to see all turned out well.

“The weather didn’t seem to affect the beautiful array of roses and colours galore,” she said.

“Many thanks to Olwyn Jones and other members who helped run the show each year. Graham Howes always there to pick up the (display) bottles from the show pavilion and return them.

“Judy Clark was the judge and nobody envied her job.”

Ms Howe said the rose show has been running in Gunnedah since 2007. She helped coordinate the first show alongside Val Howes when it was held at the old Civic building.

The 2007 event fielded 236 rose entries across eight categories.

Prize winners in the 13 sections are as follows:

White: 1st Julia Withers, 2nd Robyn Clydesdale.

Bi-Colour: 1st Louise Chad, 2nd Gill Woods.

Pink: 1st Louise Chad, 2nd Barry Tydd.

Red: 1st Ellen Mitchell, 2nd Robyn Clydesdale.

Orange: 1st Louise Chad, 2nd Maureen Tudgey.

Double delight: 1st Julia Withers, 2nd Julia Withers.

Mauve: 1st Kylie Sanderson, 2nd Joanne Little.

Yellow: 1st CWA, 2nd Sue Walker.

Peace: 1st Louise Chad, 2nd Ellen Mitchell.

Miniature: 1st Hope Phillips, 2nd Hilds Morris.