Award Winner creates Calendar of Genius Vegetable sculptures in Vege Calendar

Award-winning displays involving the hard-working green thumbs and horticultural nous of nor-west residents can feature on your walls.

A calendar with 13 exhibits from the Auckland Vegetable Growers Society at the Ellerslie flower show is now out in all its colourful glory.

The society first entered the founding show in 1994 with its impressive vegetable sculpture of New Zealand’s opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa, called Kiri of the Gardens.

Growers and committee members Dave Farley, Jim Guthrie and Tony Ivicevich came up with the idea while Julena Moors, Taupaki fennel grower and floral designer, offered her creative expertise.

Kiri was a star sculpture and the launch of many other designs to come over 14 years with the society picking up five gold, three silver, three bronze, one merit, a judges supreme award and the prestigious peoples choice award twice.

Mrs Moors says the proceeds of the calendar will fund future show exhibits, including at the Auckland Flower Show on November 20 at Alexandra Park.

"They look absolutely fantastic. It’s really nice to see the finished outcome."

Mrs Moors says her sentimental favourite is Kiri.

"It was a new show and all of a sudden this was different with fresh ideas and people loved it.

"Everyone has been enthusiastic about the idea of a calendar and it’s been fun to do."

Impeccable detail and quality produce were highlights of the popular society exhibits.

Visitors to the displays may remember the sights and sounds of a waterfall cascading into a pool, smoke drifting to the rumble of a volcano and fish and dragonflies hanging on lengths of fishing line swaying in the breeze.

"The highlight of every show for me is watching people’s faces light up with a big smile as they say: ‘Wow, that’s clever!’ while they reach for their camera, take a photo, then look closer at the detail.

"Every year these exhibits prove to be a real show-stopper."

• The society’s aim is to promote fresh fruit and vegetables in a fun and creative way and enthuse people to eat five or more every day.

For orders, view www.vegecalendar.com, phone Julena on 412-9216 or pick up a copy at Vegeco Fruit Shop, 172 Highway 16, Whenuapai.