Message from the president: Vale Ian Spriggs

Dear Members,

We are saddened to inform you that Ian Spriggs passed away last night, July 24th 2025. Ian was a member of The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. for 55 years, having joined in February 1970.

One of our most esteemed members, Ian’s tireless dedication and hard work were invaluable to our society, as a noted rose breeder, exhibitor, consultant, and rose judge.

He held important positions both nationally and internationally for The Rose, as well as making a major contribution to The Rose Society of Victoria Inc.

Ian’s extensive involvement included numerous roles, and he received many prestigious awards in recognition of his contributions over many years.

These Include

Victoria

• Treasurer – The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 1975 – 1986, 1989 Committee Member 1975, 1987 – 1989
• Vice President – The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 1991 – 1994
• President – The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. 2006 – 2012
• Rose Judge – Victorian Judge early 1980’s – Present, National Judge 2010 – Present.

National

• Foundation President of The Australian Rose Breeders’ Association 1992
• Editor – Australian Rose Annual 1995 – 2006
• Australian Registrar of New Names 2002 – 2004
• President – National Rose Society of Australia 2007, 2012

International

• World Federation of Rose Societies Awards Committee Chair 2006 – 2012

Awards

• Honorary Life Member of The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. in 1986
• T. A. Stewart Memorial Award 2002 (SMA)
• National Rose Society of Australia Rose Award 2002 (ARA)
• National Rose Society of Australia Service Award 2007 (NSA)
• World Rose Award Bronze Medal 2015 (WRA)
• The John Pascoe Fawkner Gold Medal Service Award 2022

Ian has been a successful rose breeder in his own right and has bred two outstanding roses ‘Annie’s Song’ released in 1991, an orange/pink floribunda rose and ‘Australian Sunrise’ released in 2000, a cherry/red shrub rose. Ian was also a strong advocate for Australian Bred Roses and had personally known many of the Australian and International rose breeders over time.

Ian was a noted and very experienced rose judge officiating at The RSV Inc. Rose Shows every year and was also asked to judge at many regional and national shows. He recently attended a Judges Course held in Victoria to share his knowledge with new trainee judges.

He was also very well-known for his great knowledge and skill in identifying roses at shows and other events for members and the general public. He was a respected rose consultant and was available to assist people with any rose enquiries.

He was a well-known international rosarian and had attended a large number of international rose conventions where he made long lasting connections and friendships in the rose world. He delivered a lecture on the establishment of Australia’s National Trial Gardens to those present at the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) convention in Osaka in 2003. In 2005 he was present at the signing of the Accords of Friendship between the Rose Trial Grounds of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the United States.

Ian was instrumental with the submission of The Victoria State Rose Garden to the World Federation of Rose Societies to be considered for a Garden of Excellence which was awarded in 2003. He had also been a supporter and frequent visitor to the Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens, especially at pruning time.

After moving with his family to Morwell, Ian was a very valued member of the volunteer team at the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden which has also been awarded by the WFRS as a Garden of Excellence.

In addition, Ian promoted the rose as a guest speaker at many garden clubs and other organisations, and published many well-written articles and citations over many years.

Sandra Turner

President