Dahlia Directory Pilot Announcement
Dear DSA Members,
We are delighted to share some thrilling news with you! The Dahlia Society of Australia is proud to sponsor an innovative new project: the Australian Dahlia Directory. This concept has been nurtured for decades, and it is now ready to bloom into reality. The directory aims to be a comprehensive, visually rich catalogue, showcasing the stunning array of Australian grown dahlias through beautiful imagery.
Pilot Program Launch in 2025
In 2025, we will initiate a pilot program focused on capturing and documenting images of Australian grown dahlias. This endeavour will provide a platform for dahlia enthusiasts across Australia to contribute to a vibrant and detailed visual guide. The directory will be available from the Dahlia Society of Australia's website, where it will serve as an ongoing resource for dahlia lovers and gardeners. It's important to note that the directory is a work in progress and will require continuous time and effort to expand it to document all the varieties of dahlias grown in Australia. We aim to create a comprehensive and ever-growing catalogue that celebrates the diversity and splendor of Australian grown and bred dahlias. Your contributions will be instrumental in achieving this vision.
We acknowledge that this is an ambitious project, and we truly appreciate the time and effort required from everyone involved. The Dahlia Society of Australia’s Dahlia Directory will always be a work in progress, evolving as we gather more data and refine our processes. For this reason, we have broken the project into stages. The first stage focuses on gathering as much data as possible, and we expect this to take a few years to compile a substantial catalog of existing cultivars. We already have a significant start with details of over 1100 Australian dahlias thanks to the Cultivar list maintained by Rob Slarke (former Secretary Dahlia Society NSW/ACT) that includes cultivar name, colour, type, size, breeder and year released. Once we have sufficient data, we will move to the second stage, which involve building on the user-friendly interface to help users search the data and identify an unknown dahlia by its features. This might include employing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence or developing a mobile application. Options will be explored once we have a substantial amount of data to progress to stage two. The third stage of the project will be to build on the existing Australian Standards and create a formal method for introducing, acknowledging, and registering new cultivars in the Directory.
The Dahlia Directory Committee
To ensure the smooth establishment and ongoing management of the directory, we have formed a dedicated committee. The Australian Dahlia Directory Committee will oversee the development of the Directory and will work with a panel of Dahlia experts from around the country. The Dahlia experts will validate the dahlia images submitted for selection ensuring correct identification, consistency in imagery and quality control (like judging really!). Both the Dahlia Experts and Committee members expertise and commitment will be crucial in maintaining the integrity of the directory.
The committee members are:
Graeme Davis: President Dahlia Society of Australia
Pam Albutt: President Dahlia Society of Victoria
Gerald Oldfield: President Dahlia Society of NSW & ACT
Wade Kingsley: Dahlia Society of South Australia
Simone Lutz: Dahlia Society of Victoria
Lynne Goodyer: Dahlia Society of NSW & ACT
The Dahlia Experts are being assembled from across Australia.
Call for Volunteers: Capture your dahlias this season
Your involvement matters and will be the only way an Australian Dahlia Directory will be successful. We are calling on all members of the Dahlia Societies around Australia to volunteer their time and talents in capturing images of their beautiful dahlias this season. Your contributions will be invaluable in showcasing the diversity and splendor of Australian grown dahlias. By sharing your images, you will help us create a stunning visual directory that celebrates the unique beauty of our favourite flower. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute to a historic and inspirational project! Your contributions will ensure that the Dahlia Directory becomes a cherished resource for dahlia lovers and gardeners alike.
How to get Involved
To get involved in this exciting project, start by visiting the Dahlia Society of Australia website, www.dahliasaustralia.org.au, and registering your interest in participating in the 2025 season. Upon doing so, you will be sent an information pack detailing the process and what is involved. This pack will include guidelines on how to capture the best images of your dahlias, information about submitting your images, and tips for ensuring your photos meet the necessary quality standards. By joining this initiative, you will play a key role in creating a vibrant and comprehensive visual directory that celebrates the beauty of Australian grown dahlias. Your contributions will help showcase the incredible diversity and splendor of these stunning flowers, ensuring they are appreciated by dahlia enthusiasts and gardeners for years to come. Together, we can create a dazzling showcase of Australia's finest dahlias that will inspire and delight for years to come.
Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm.
Warm regards,
Graeme Davis
President Dahlia Society of Australia
