Community members are invited to say thanks a bunch to their Mums this Mother's Day and support the Endeavour Foundation with a beautiful bouquet of blooms.
For 33 years, employees at the Endeavour Foundation Business Solutions in Norville have harvested thousands of colourful chrysanthemums for the mothers and caregivers of Bundaberg to raise funds for the foundation's support services.
The annual harvest is just one aspect of the social enterprise, which aims to create paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities through its farm and packing operations.
Site Manager Etienne Theart said getting the 50,000 chrysanthemums crop, made up of 36 different hues, ready in time for Mother’s Day was no simple feat.
“Chrysanthemums need a certain number of hours of darkness in order to flower and we use carefully controlled lighting to make sure the plants bloom just in time for mum’s big day,” Etienne said.
In addition to the chrysanthemums this year, another type of flower will also be on sale.
“This year we’re cultivating 3000 sunflowers because our message to the mums and caregivers of Bundaberg is: ‘you are our sunshine’,” Etienne said.
Harvesting will continue until Sunday 12 May, with flowers picked, bunched and distributed to locations around Queensland just in time for Mother’s Day.
Farm employee Robert Cooke said he enjoyed working on the annual harvest.
“I love the air, sunshine, and good camaraderie – and the drink breaks are pretty good too,” Robert said, adding in a message for his mum.
“Flowers don’t do you justice, Happy Mother’s Day!”
Flowers can be purchased at Endeavour Foundation’s Norville social enterprise and other Wide Bay businesses.
The first official bunch of flowers will be auctioned at a gala dinner fundraiser for Endeavour Foundation on tonight, Wednesday 8 May 2024.
To volunteer for the 2024 Mother’s Day Flower Harvest, call 4155 5700 or email bundbs@endeavour.com.au.
