An open display of clivia flowers for the past four years has allowed Wangaratta resident Yvonne Hargreaves to raise $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
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![STRIKING: Yvonne Hargreaves has managed to raise $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation with displays of her clivia flowers. Picture: MARK JESSER STRIKING: Yvonne Hargreaves has managed to raise $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation with displays of her clivia flowers. Picture: MARK JESSER](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/e8uBJxuTc2fGAziDArmhm5/fc0f4e18-abee-4de2-b42c-5349f7d89736.jpg/r0_0_375_614_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Ms Hargreaves, who is a survivor of breast cancer, explained clivias are some of the most sophisticated types of flora in the world.
“They’re indigenous to South Africa, where six species are growing in varying habitats,” she said.
She said attendees were enthralled at what they were able to see in previous displays, and usually sat down to chat over a coffee or tea.
“This is the fifth year, and we've raised more than $10,000. People come and they love the flowers,” she said.
“They're only in flower for a month at the most. The flower is there only to attract a pollinator.”
Ms Hargreaves said the flowers were “in her blood”, and her love for clivias started when she made a move to the Gold Coast.
“I was part of the Daylily Society which is another type of plant,” she said.
“We had a speaker come to us and talk about his product … I said to him there could be something in it for our raffle.
“From that he told me about a friend of his that grew them.”
From there, Ms Hargreaves said that she had never ceased learning about the many species, and appreciating them.
“The more I grow them, the more I liken them to people,” she said.
“Some will thrive, some will just survive and some will unfortunately die.”
“I’m still learning, but I’m considered something of a matriarch of those I’m involved with.
“We’re going to have an expo soon of some of the highly desirable plants.”
Ms Hargreaves is a 19-year survivor of breast cancer, while her daughter Kylie is a four-year survivor.
Ms Hargreaves said they were both “living life to the full,” and wanted to give others with cancer a channel to connect through the display.
“We’re marvellous,” she said.
“She enjoys her life and I enjoy mine, it might look glamorous but I’ve got my dogs and I’ve got my girls, and I’m a patchworker.”
Ms Hargreaves said the National Breast Cancer Foundation had offered incredible support after her diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
“They’re the first set of arms that scoop up under you when you go home and think about what you’ve just heard,” she said.
“They tell you where to go, they tell you what to expect, how to talk your family, and they provide the breast cancer nurses.
A $5 entry fee will allow visitors to view the display, which will run on September 26 and 27.
They’re the first set of arms that scoop up under you when you go home and think about what you’ve just heard
- Yvonne Hargreaves