Over the past 12 months, more than 174 CFA brigades have also been flourishing thanks to $8,000 raised from sales of the roses.
Since the program began in 2010, more than 280 brigades have shared $22,500 with the remaining $20,000 going to the CFA public fund to support leadership training, improve firefighter skills and provide equipment.
The money raised is part of an ongoing partnership between Knight’s Roses and CFA.
CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson thanked Knight’s Roses for their continuing support.
“Not only do the team at Knight’s Roses continue to help raise money for CFA, but they have produced something that recognises the dedicated CFA members who work so hard to serve the community,” he said.
The Firestar Rose was the first in the series to be created following the 2009 bushfires. The rose honours the lives lost and the many dedicated CFA members who were involved in the campaign fires. It also celebrates the regeneration of life.
The Firestar Phoenix Rose was launched last year. Named after the mythical bird that builds a nest, it ignites and then rises from the ashes to begin a new life. The phoenix is a symbol of hope and life.
It is a very fragrant French rose grown at the gateway to the Barossa Valley. It grows to about 1.3m high by 1.2m wide.
The roses, grown by Daniel Knight and his team at Knight’s Roses, have been patiently hand grafted and have won national and international recognition for their beauty and robust nature.
“The Firestar rose started as a seed of an idea that has grown into a long-term partnership with CFA. I am delighted to have produced a rose that will provide additional support and funds for CFA to continue its vital work in the community,” Mr Knight said.
“The roses are big-hearted and strong enough to match the efforts of firefighters, and are adaptable and resilient like the communities affected by fire in our country. They are living symbols of the memories and hopes of those who lived through the fires.”
Both varieties of bare-rooted roses will be available to buy online from 31 May for $26 each, plus postage. From each sale, $11.50 is donated to a CFA brigade of the customer’s choice. Deliveries of the bare-rooted rose will only be available until the end of August 2012.
They will also be available for purchase as bloomed roses later this year. For more information or to buy a rose visit www.firestarrose.com.au
Subscribe to this comment's feed
