Mr. Gerald McCraith, AM awarded OSSEA FELLOWSHIP

Gerald with daughter Lois at the February 09 meeting of Orchid Species Society of Victoria Photo courtesy of John  Varigos and OSSV

Gerald aged 100 photo courtesy Tess Slater

Do you know... (courtesy of Eric Wilde and the Maribyrnong Orchid Society)

• That Gerald has been growing Orchids since 1930.
• The late Bob Hodgins' father (also a Bob) was first to take a very young Gerald McCraith to the Victorian Orchid Club, at about this time. Gerald subsequently filled every office for the VOC (several times). He is a life Member.
• That Gerald as a youngster would do a round about Essendon (an outer suburb of Melbourne) delivering library books... first on his bike and later on a motor bike and side car.
• That as he grew older and met his future wife, Ellen, or Nell as she was called, he would take Nell out on the motor bike with Nell in the side car delivering the books (her Sunday outing, with Gerald).
• In 1960, Gerald was a leader in establishing the Australian Orchid Council, hence unifying orchid administration within Australia.
• In 1964 he became the President of the AOC.
• In 1967 he designed the AOC logo.
• He is a Fellow of the Australian Orchid Council.
• In 1976, he and a few mates from about the country established the Australian Orchid Foundation. Its running and efficiency has astounded modern notaries.
• In 2005 at the 18th World Orchid Conference in Dijon, France he was awarded an OSSEA (Orchid Society of South East Asia) Fellowship. The citation can be read above.
• That many of Gerald's orchids have been collected by him from nearly every continent...until recently nearly every plant growing in his orchid houses would produce an amazing tale of where it came from.
• Oh, I forgot to mention, Gerald left school at 13...but that is another story.
• And...the rabbits that feed Britain during and after the war??? Millions of them exported from here to Perth to Britain at one and six a pair???

What a life Gerald McCraith......What a mentor.....

You have more go and determination in your little finger than any ten men that I know.

Humbly, Eric Wilde

Gerald McCraith

CONGRATULATIONS!

View Gerald's AOC orchid awards