Young Florist Picked For Horticulturalist Competition

A young Invercargill florist has been picked as one of four in New Zealand to enter the Young Florist and Flower Grower of The Year competition.

Olivia Clarke works for her mother Angela at All For Love Flowers on Kew Road and says she absolutely loves every part of the job.

“I feel so lucky to be able to explore my interest and passion in the industry with this competition.

“It will push the barriers of my comfort zone and I know whatever happens, it’ll be a huge personal growth experience. I’m sure I’ll come home with new ideas and motivation for the business.”

The 22-year old came into the business a few years ago after working in several other industries including corporate work and a season at the freezing works.

Arranging flowers couldn’t be more different from her past jobs, but Angela said her daughter was a real natural.

“All the different roles that I have done have really prepared me for this job, especially the people side of it,” Olivia said.

Olivia often found herself wondering whether there was more to her working life, but never considered becoming a florist, because that was her mum’s job,

“When I went out and did all those jobs, I often questioned, “is this really what I want to do?  Is this really what the real working world is all about?”

She then approached her mother two years ago and asked if she could come and work with her, “and now it’s not like I’m at work,” because she loves it so much.

Describing Olivia as a “shining light” when it comes to flowers, Angela said she has a very deep passion for every aspect of the business, including delivering to all of their happy customers.

“She’s a natural born florist.”  Everything she makes is absolutely beautiful.”

Olivia will be tested on six elements in the competition in Christchurch in July, including a three- hour floral design, a group leadership project, advanced computer skills, knowledge of flowers/foliage and potted plants, and a sustainable project.

The competition concludes with a three-minute speech on the topic of ‘What are the new current flower trends and are they a sustainable and commercially viable crop for the New Zealand Flower growers to meet customer demand”?

The winner will go on to compete at the National Horticulturalist Of The Year competition later in the year.