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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

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| Gerald
McCraith |
CONGRATULATIONS! |
View
Gerald's AOC orchid awards |