A talented Charters Towers florist has claimed first place at the national Tesselaar Flowers Rock Star competition.
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Touted as Australia's number one floristry competition Tesselaar Flowers Rock Star is open to all Australian florists and floral designers.
Katelyn O'Donoghue owner of Charters Flowers said she entered three arrangements in the competition, winning the Flowers to Wear category.
The arrangement was a family affair featured her brother and sister; one wearing a flower beard and the other a flower crown and belt.
Ms O’Donoghue said the idea came to her while she was playing with different arrangements in her shop.
“My brother came in and jokingly asked me to arrange a beard for him,” Ms O’Donoghue said.
“I took on the challenge and really liked the end result.
My brother came in and jokingly asked me to arrange a beard for him, I took on the challenge and really liked the end result
- Katelyn O'Donoghue
“I think the flower beard was definitely the main attraction to my entry, as you don’t tend to see a beard made out of flowers, it was such a different and unique idea.”
Ms O’Donoghue won $1000 worth of flowers through her wholesaler Tesselaar Flowers and a one-on-one workshop with a florist who judged the competition.
Up against hundreds of other entries, Ms O’Donoghue was not expecting to win.
“There were so many great entries,” she said.
“I entered in all three categories; Flowers to Wear, Flowers to Carry and Flowers to Decorate.
“The support I received from locals, customers, friends and family was overwhelming. We had so many people commenting on my arrangement from all over Australia and overseas.
“After I won the competition I had a lot of people coming into the shop and saying congratulations and booking in flowers.
“I haven’t had anyone come in and ask for a flower beard yet but we are just getting stuck into weddings and preparing for Valentines Day.”
This was the second consecutive year that Ms O’Donoghue entered in the competition.
“Last year I was required to arrange wedding flowers, where this year it was a rock star theme,” she said.
“I wanted to enter this year to share my developing talent. I do not have the opportunity to do these type of arrangements often so it was fun for me.”
Ms O’Donoghue said she looked forward to entering in the competition again next year.
Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
