The establishment of the Vermont Horticultural Society as it is known today, was closely linked to the Vermont Scouting movement. Scouting in Vermont had commenced in 1921 and continued to grow in popularity with the efforts of Scout Master Lewis. Somewhere between 1929 and 1930, Scout Master Lewis proposed the formation of a new interest group amongst the 1st Vermont Scouts, entitled the ‘Carrot Club’. The aim of the club was to encourage participation in gardening and the growing of fruit and vegetables which could then be sold to pay off the debt owed for the construction of the Vermont Scout Hall on the D’arcy property in Morack Road, Vermont. In 1931, the inaugural Carrot Club Committee was formed which comprised of a President in Mr. Hec Morrison, a Secretary in Mr. Bill Crow, and a Treasurer in Mr. Ron D’arcy. ‘Carrot Club’ shows were held between once and twice a year, usually on the first Saturday of November at the Scout Hall (Sparks, 1986). The main event of the show was a series of awards to the “longest carrot, the quaintest carrot [and] the biggest carrot” and finally the Champion Carrot of the Show which was recognised with a Blue Ribbon (Sparks, 1986). Former Vermont Horticultural Society President, Mrs. Mavis Sparks, states the standard itinerary for each show also included sections for ‘Cut Flowers’, ‘Cookery’ (Jams), ‘Embroidery’ (Articles made from a sugar bag) and ‘Articles made from tin’ and ‘Constructed model objects’; the latter two categories which could provide credit towards earning one’s Scout Badges. Mr. McKay, a returned World War 1 serviceman, acted as judge for the ‘Cut Flowers’ category and boasted experience as a specialist carnation grower who also achieved success in the Mitcham Horticultural Shows (Sparks, 1986). The evening after the show would typically conclude with a dance for which Jim Willis (later Councillor for the City of Nunawading) would play the piano for a fee of 10/- per night (Sparks, 1986). As recalled by Mrs. Mavis Sparks: “young couples would arrive from as far away as Mitcham, walking to and from the dance”. One of the largest ‘Carrot Club’ shows was held in 1932, with an estimated five-hundred people in attendance. Distinguished guests were also in attendance at Carrot Club shows over the years, such as Sir George Knox (State Member), Mr. Tyner (Upper House Local State Member), the Hon. G.L. Chandler (State Member), Tom Rose (Local Councillor) and the late Sir Robert Menzies (at the time a Local State Member) (Sparks, 1986). Some of the residents of Vermont that participated in the Carrot Club included Jim, Jack, and Bill Bain; John, Ron, and Ben D’arcy; Jack Farrance; Charlie and Ernie Crookes; Jack Simcox; Hec. And Bernie Morrison and Miss Dot Livermore (Cub Master) (Sparks, 1986). Destruction of the Vermont scout hall in Morack Road by fire in April 1934, placed an unfortunate hold on Carrot Club meetings for several years until new premises and facilities were secured. Horticultural shows were eventually reintroduced to the Vermont Mechanics Institute in Canterbury Road by the 1st Vermont Scouts which was eventually purchased from the Council (Sparks, 1986). By 1937, the Flower Show Committee was re-established, and a show was organised in March 1938, which generated a profit for the Vermont Scouts towards the purchase and improvement of their premises at the Vermont Mechanics Institute. As noted by Mrs. Mavis Sparks, supporters of the shows during this time included parents of the scouts among which included Eric Webb and members of the Ritson, Farmillo, D’arcy and Kiddle families. The committee also contributed to the war effort during the Second World War, and in 1942, donated half their proceeds to the Prisoner of War Fund and the remainder to purchase War Certificates (Sparks, 1986). In 1954, the Flower Show Committee, which at the time was still part of the Vermont Scout Committee, commenced meetings separately to the General Meeting (Sparks, 1986).
Creation of the Vermont Horticultural Society (1960)
By 1959, the Show Committee had received recognition in their petition to become a Society from the Parent’s Group Committee of the Vermont Scouts and became affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria. In 1960, the Society was officially titled the Vermont Horticultural Society and Garden Club. In 1979, the Society settled on its final name of the Vermont Horticultural Society to reflect the tradition of the Royal Horticultural Society IN England (Sparks, 1986). The partnership between the Vermont Scouting movement and the Vermont Horticultural Society remained in place until the 1950s. The connection was also reflected in the appointment of the first two Presidents of Vermont Horticultural Society; Mr. Pat D’arcy (1944-1945) and Mr. Eric Webb (1946-1949), both of whom were also actively involved in the Vermont Scouting movement. Furthermore, several Vermont scouting families maintained their involvement with the Vermont Horticultural Society, such as the Farmillos and Kiddles, from whom Mr. Horrie Farmillo, Mrs. Margaret Farmillo and Mr. Eric Kiddle (also President of the Vermont Horticultural Society from 1949-1950) became life members.
Supplementary Information: Life Members of the Vermont Horticultural Society (as provided by Mrs. Mavis C. Sparks, President of the Vermont Horticultural Society from 1978-1980)
Mr. Bill Robertson
Mr. Eric Daymond
Mrs. Dorothy Daymond
Mr. Horrie Farmillo
Mrs. Margaret Farmillo
Mr. Eric Kiddle
Mr. Ern Smart - Ern was a long serving member of the Vermont Horticultural Society and Garden Club and the Vermont Uniting Church. He was also a Gallipoli veteran who did much to generate ongoing interest in the Vermont Horticultural Society.
Mrs. Violet Smart
Miss Birrell
Mr. Lindsay Ormandy
Mr. George Proctor
Mr. Harold Ross
Mrs. Esther Manly
Presidents of the Vermont Horticultural Society (as provided by Mrs. Mavis C. Sparks, President of the Vermont Horticultural Society from 1978-1980)