WORLD FEDERATION OF ROSE SOCIETIES – OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Henrianne de Briey
BELGIUM
Elected President of the WFRS in 2018. Daughter of WFRS Founding President Lily de Gerlache. “Born in a bed of roses”, I followed and helped my mother in almost all of the rose exhibitions organised by the Belgian Royal National Rose Society, my first contact with the WFRS was at the Benelux World Convention in 1997.
I look forward to working with our members around the world to promote and encourage a love of roses.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Derek Lawrence
UNITED KINGDOM
For Derek, being appointed Executive Director of the WFRS in June 2015, was beyond his wildest dreams. Like many other leading organisations, the World Federation of Rose Societies faces many challenges in future years. However, he is confident the Federation will continue to grow and flourish throughout the 21st Century. He feels the beating heart of the WFRS is testimony to the immense enthusiasm and genuine friendship, that shines through the entire worldwide Membership.
TREASURER
Diane vom Berg
AUSTRALIA
Currently in my third term as Treasurer of WFRS, membership of the Rose Society of South Australia enables me to attend conventions, participate in the exchange of information about the rose and enjoy the friendship of other rosarians around the world all for our favourite flower “The Rose”. I look forward to seeing you in Adelaide, Australia in 2022 for the next WRC , Celebration 22.
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Kelvin Trimper
AUSTRALIA
President, The World Federation of Rose Societies 2015 – 2018. Past President of The National Rose Society of Australia and Rose Society of South Australia. Awards include the Australian Rose Award, T.A. Stewart Memorial Award, Gold Medal from the WFRS and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
VP – AUSTRALASIA
Paul Hains
AUSTRALIA
President of the National Rose Society of Australia. Recipient of the Australian Rose Award. Author of 2 rose books, “Growing Roses in Subtropical Climates” and “Growing Roses”. An active rose breeder with many roses released in Australia. Paul established social media for the WFRS in 2015 and has redesigned the WFRS website in 2018. WFRS Webmaster
VP – AUSTRALASIA
Doug Grant
NEW ZEALAND
Doug is a scientist for a research and develop- ment company in New Zealand specialising in the genetics and breeding of onions and Cucurbit crops.
In his spare time he is an amateur rose breed- er. His roses have received awards in Rose trials in New Zealand including the New Zea- land Rose of the Year.
VP – NORTH AMERICA
Diana Antonition
BERMUDA
Born and raised in Bermuda, I have been a member of The Bermuda Rose Society (BRS) since 2006. In May 2011, was elected Vice President of BRS and subsequently President in May 2013. Having achieved all BRS mandated requirements, was awarded “Accredited Judge” status in April 2013. June 2018 was elected WFRS Vice President for the North America Region.
VP – NORTH AMERICA
Lois Fowkes
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Lois has supported WFRS for over thirty years as USA Delegate, Show Standardization Standing Committee, World Rose Award recipient 2015, Friend for Life Member, Judge at WFRS Shows and International Rose Trials. Currently Chairman, WFRS Awards Committee. ARS Life Member – 1977, ARS Director – 12 years, Silver Honor Medal, Outstanding Consulting Rosarian Award, Outstanding Judge Award, instrumental in securing the rose as “US National Floral Emblem”
VP – SOUTH AMERICA
Rosario Algorta de Carrau
URUGUAY
Designs gardens and parks in Montevideo, Punta del Este (beach resort) and farms in the countryside of Uruguay, including roses which do well in Semi-Tropical conditions. Winter and summer pruning of roses all around Uruguay. Past President of the Uruguayan Rose Society, Past President of Judges of the Uruguayan Rose Society, WFRS International Judge, WFRS Vice President – South America.
VP – AFRICA
Vivienne Black
SOUTH AFRICA
I have attended conventions in South Africa, Beijing in China, Lyon in France and in India, and will be attending the convention in Copenhagen, Denmark in June 2018. I was invited by Spek Roses to attend the trials in The Hague. I have visited the Damascena rose farms in Bulgaria, and attended I.F.T.EX International Trade Expo in Nairobi, Kenya, where I visited many rose farms. I have attended the Chelsea Flower Show with Keith Kirsten to view David Austin Roses.
VP – EUROPE
Mireille Steil
LUXEMBOURG
Spending my childhood in the countryside of Luxemburg, in a garden full of flowers, I always loved roses. In 2009 I joined the Luxemburg Rose Society. I regularly participate as a judge in the European Rose-Trials. Elected President of the Luxembourg Rose Society in 2015, I was able to achieve, in 2017, our greatest dream with my association, a rose-garden for the old and new Luxemburgish Roses, the “Roseraie Château de Munsbach”.
VP – EUROPE
Breda Bavdaž Čopi
SLOVENIA
President of Slovenian Rose Society since 2004 and Vice-President of WFRS for Central and Eastern Europe since 2012. Founding member of the Slovenian Rose Society and the key person in Organizing Committee for Regional WFRS Convention in Ljubljana, 2017. Bachelor of Science in agriculture. Worked as Head of the Depertement for environmental planning department and public parks in the City of Koper and later as a freelance garden designer. Very much involved with her four grandchildren and, of course, with the roses as a rosarian, rose consultant and officer.
VP – EUROPE
Inger Schierning
DENMARK
In March 2009 I was elected President of The Danish Rose Society, and in 2015 elected WFRS VP for Europe 1. In June/July 2018, after 5 years of carefully planning, I had the great pleasure to convene the 18. WRC “A Fairytale of Roses” incl. the golden 50 years jubilee of WFRS with more than 620 delegates. Much of my life was, and will forever be involved with the most iconic flower– The Rose.
VP – CENTRAL ASIA
Ahmed Alam Khan
INDIA
An ardent nature and rose lover, he has an impressive collection of hundreds of rare exotic plants and a big rose garden with over 25000 rose plants. Was awarded the ‘Award of Garden Excellence’ award by the WFRS. He has organized and hosted WFRS regional convention 2014 at Hyderabad India, which was a grand success.
WORLD FEDERATION OF ROSE SOCIETIES – COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN 2018-2021
PRESIDENT
chairs the COUNCIL, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE and HONOURS COMMITTEE
Henrianne de Briey
BELGIUM
Elected President of the WFRS in 2018. Daughter of WFRS Founding President Lily de Gerlache. “Born in a bed of roses”, I followed and helped my mother in almost all of the rose exhibitions organised by the Belgian Royal National Rose Society, my first contact with the WFRS was at the Benelux World Convention in 1997.
I look forward to working with our members around the world to promote and encourage a love of roses.
AWARDS
Daniel Boulens
FRANCE
Member of the French Roses Society ( https://www.societefrancaisedesroses.asso.fr/ ) for many years, I was the director of the Department of Parks and Gardens of the City of Lyon, and its famous and awarded rose garden in Tete d’Or Park.
I was totally involved in the organisation of the WFRS LYON 2015 convention.
Judge in many international roses trials.
CLASSIFICATION & REGISTRATION
Richard Walsh
I joined the Rose Society of NSW in 1972.
Past President of RSNSW, National Rose Society of Australia, Australian Rose Breeders Association and Heritage Roses in Australia as Co-president. Also past Editor and past Webmaster of NRSA.
Registered 74 roses including award winners in Australian trial gardens. WFRS Editor for 3 years, pioneering digital delivery, and WFRS Chairman of Classification and Registration Committee 2015 – 2021.
CONVENTION LIAISON
Helga Brichet
South African born, living in central Italy with Belgian husband since 1973 on a farm producing extra virgin olive oil. Fond of old and wild roses, gardening, all plants, trees and many animals, enjoys cooking with friends, truffle hunting with the dogs, reading, swimming and ballooning. WFRS VP and Chairman Awards Committee 1994-1997; WFRS President 2007-2009; Awarded WFRS Gold Medal; Chairman Conservation Committee 1997-2006;
Chairman Publications Committee 2009-2015;
Chairman Convention Liaison Committee 2015-2021.
INTERNATIONAL JUDGES
Gavin Woods
A keen and successful exhibitor of roses, I am Chairman of Judges for the Rose Society of South Australia. A Past-President of the RSSA and The National Rose Society of Australia I have written extensively and lectured to many current and aspiring judges nationally.
I look forward to the challenges of this role and to working closer with Rosarians worldwide.
PROMOTIONS
Kelvin Trimper
President, The World Federation of Rose Societies 2015 – 2018. Past President of The National Rose Society of Australia and Rose Society of South Australia. Awards include the Australian Rose Award, T.A. Stewart Memorial Award, Gold Medal from the WFRS and appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.
PUBLICATIONS
Jolene Adams
I joined the American Rose Society and the East Bay Rose Society in 1991. Served as an officer, committee chair and Webmaster in my local society, Director for the NCNH District of the American Rose Society, Webmaster and committee chair for the American Rose Society, Vice President and then President of the American Rose Society, WFRS Webmaster and Vice President – North America. Currently serving as WFRS Chair of Publications.
THE BREEDERS CLUB
Jean-Luc Pasquier
A nurseryman by training, a graduate of the Lullier School of Horticulture (CH) and holder of a federal master’s degree, I worked for more than 20 years in several nurseries, notably growing roses. I am currently responsible for horticultural training in French-speaking Switzerland and a journalist specialising in horticulture.
Photo: © Dom Smaz
CONSERVATION & HERITAGE
Brigid Quest-Ritson
Vice-chairman WFRS Conservation Committee 2012 – 2015; Chairman Historic Roses Group 2001 – 2012; Director and Trustee RNRS 2003 – 2008; member RNRS Trials Committee 1994 – 2008; RNRS Gardens Committee 1996 – 2008. Co-author RHS Encyclopedia of Roses 2003.
Extensive collection of rose species and cultivars of all types. Ran nursery with old and rare roses grown on own roots when garden open to public.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Paul Hains
President of the National Rose Society of Australia. Recipient of the Australian Rose Award. Author of 2 rose books, “Growing Roses in Subtropical Climates” and “Growing Roses”. An active rose breeder with many roses released in Australia. Paul established social media for the WFRS in 2015 and has redesigned the WFRS website in 2018. WFRS Webmaster. WFRS Vice President – Australasia.
EDITOR
Steve Jones
Steve and his wife Susie live on 2.2 ha in the gold rush country in California, United States. He grows over 450 roses of all types, especially ramblers and climbers. Steve is a past President of the American Rose Society and World Federation of Rose Societies. Currently he serves as the editor of the World Rose News.
