Field of dreams: ‘Record-breaking’ harvest for Mother’s Day
The Endeavour Foundation has been helping people living with disabilities to make their dreams come true for the last seven years. See the photos of this year’s beautiful blooms:
Bundaberg
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Workers at the Endeavour Foundation at Bundaberg are proud as punch with their efforts in this year’s Mother’s Day harvest with 70,000 locally-grown chrysanthemums set to be picked.
The organisation has been assisting people living with disabilities to gain vital skills, employment and independence for the last seven decades.
Endeavour Foundation Bundaberg’s production manager Mark Elliott said this year’s harvest had multiple colours and 45 different varieties to suit every mum.
“The harvest is looking fantastic – it’s one of the biggest and best crops we’ve had,” Mr Elliott said.
“We started preparing the land in October last year and planted during the first week of December (so) then it was just a matter of looking after the plants until it was time for picking.”
The Endeavour Foundation has been harvesting stunning chrysanthemums for Mother’s Day for more than three decades and give opportunities to people living with disabilities in the process.
Support from the local community and surrounds is more vital than ever this year after COVID-19 caused a setback for the annual tradition.
“All proceeds go towards our essential programs, supporting people with a disability to find meaningful employment, learn new skills, access the community and live more independently in a home that meets their needs,” Mr Elliott said.
“We had to do our best last year without volunteers due to COVID-19 restrictions, but I’m pleased to say this year we have welcomed them back with open arms.
“It’s such a manual job that we just can’t physically do the work without their help – we would not be able to pick and pack the flowers required for orders and sales without our volunteers (and) their help is very much appreciated.”
Supported employee Black Kummerow said he loves helping out with the flower harvest and working outdoors.
He said he was proud of his efforts this year and enjoys watching the flowers “grow tall.”
“(We have) yellow, red, orange and white flowers with different shades of pinks and purples,” Blake said.
“You name the colour and we’ve got it.”
While Wayne Horton who has been a farmer for the last 41 years has seen his fair share of crops over the years but said the secret to a successful harvest was plenty of water and sunshine.
He said his favourite part about the process was “making the mums happy.”
Stacey who has been helping out on the farm “forever” said he has made a lot of friends through working at the Endeavour Foundation and enjoyed mowing the lawns and pushing the wheelbarrow.
Mr Elliott estimates 70,000 individual chrysanthemums will be harvested to form 7000 bouquets which takes volunteers about 10 to 15 minutes to create.
“It’s fully irrigated so we don’t need a lot of rain and we’ve had very little problems with pests this year … we’re hoping to break records this year because it’s a record crop,” he said.
“We’re looking for the people of Bundaberg and the surrounds to support us and any volunteers who are able to lend a hand are welcome and appreciated.”
Bunches cost $15 each and will be available to purchase from the Endeavour Foundation at 1 Fitzgerald St from Tuesday to Friday up until May 7 between 7.30am and 3.30pm.
The local Endeavour Foundation stall will also be operating on May 8 between 6am and 4pm and on May 9 from 6am and midday.
Flowers will also be available at Bundaberg’s Bunnings Warehouse on May 7 or at the Early Holden Car Club Show on May 8.
Bouquets will also be sent to other locations around the state including Rockhampton, Gladstone, Brisbane and Toowoomba.
For more information or to volunteer please phone (07) 4155 5701 or email bundbs@endeavour.com.au
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