WA wildflowers to be displayed in the Morley Galleria

29/7/96

The heady scent of Western Australian wildflowers will fill the Morley Galleria this week (July 29 -August 3) heralding the start of the State's famous wildflower season.

For the first time, flowers from all of  the State's wildflower growing regions - from the Gascoyne to Esperance - will be massed together under one roof.

Commerce and Trade Minister Hendy Cowan said  the Galleria display played an important role in educating the Western Australian public, as well as overseas visitors, on the enormous variety of wildflowers in the State and encouraged them to visit the regions to see  the flowers 'in the wild'.

"There are already carpets of everlastings blooming in some northern and inland areas and with the varied rainfall in the outback this winter the season is  expected to peak about mid-August," Mr Cowan said.

"The wildflower industry is an integral component of regional economies, both in terms of tourism and flower production.

"It is an industry which is continuing to expand and provide opportunities for people in rural communities to diversify."

The Department of Commerce and Trade and the WA Tourism Commission have provided financial support for this year's Galleria showcase to enable growers and tourist operators from throughout the State to participate.

The Galleria is the only WA shopping centre which is part of the "Go Shop Australia" promotion,  ensuring up to 12 coach loads of international tourists are among the 220,000 people who visit the centre each week.

On display this week will be flowers and photographs from the Mid West, South East, Central South, Chittering, West Coast, Gascoyne, Great Southern and Kalgoorlie Goldfields regions.

Advice on growing WA native flora will be available from Mr George Lullfitz, whose uncle, Fred Lullfitz, started the State's first wildflower nursery 40 years ago.

Media contact: Peter Jackson 222 9595