THE ANZAC Room at the Laurieton United Service Club (LUSC) was transformed into a tropical extravaganza over the weekend when it welcomed the Camden Haven Orchid Society’s annual Winter Show.

Orchids come in all shapes, sizes and colours, with some species offering a bold and luscious scent, a fact all visitors to the show can confirm.

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The local Orchid Society has been showcasing these elegant flowers for more than 30 years.

“The show is open to everyone and attracts both orchid growers and nature lovers alike,” Club President Don Kuchel told News Of The Area (NOTA).

“This year more than 25 people had entries into the Winter Show, with some participants coming from as far as Kempsey in the north, to Taree in the south.”

A wide and varied range of orchid species were represented in this year’s show.

“Cymbidiums, dendrobium, paphiopedilum,” Mr Kuchel said, “even a few species that I’m not even aware of.

“Four independent judges from outside the Camden Haven Orchid Society have the difficult task of assessing all of the entrants each year.”

The Grand Champion of this year’s show was Sue McNaughton, who took out the competition with the entry of an exotic species called bulbophyllum.

It is a miniature orchid which mostly grows on mossy branches and logs.

In winter it produces a long raceme of red to purple flowers.

“Not bad for a plant that was headed to the recycling pile,” Sue told NOTA of her Grand Champion win.

The Camden Haven Orchid Society meets on the third Tuesday of the month commencing at 2:30pm at the Laurieton United Services Club.

For more information, contact Club President Don Kuchel on 0429 930 022 or the Club Secretary on 0438 864 827.

By Kim AMBROSE