The South Eastern Orchid Society of W.A. Inc. covers the south eastern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia.
The society was formed in 1987 to cover the corridor south of the Swan River to Serpentine, bounded by the Kwinana Freeway to the west and the Darling Range to the east.
The society first met in the suburb of Kelmscott, then moved to Gosnells before settling at their current meeting place – Cannington Exhibition Centre at the Cannington Showground.
The society’s foundation is attributable to the late Mrs Ethel McDougall and Mrs Betty Rensen, who were made Life Members at the society’s 10th anniversary dinner.
Our Patron over this period was the late Mr Harry Lodge, a Fellow of the Australia Orchid Society and Life Member of the society. On Harry’s death Mrs McDougall became our Patron and remained in this position until her death. Frank and Hanny Vernon then became our Patrons and retired in 2019. John Steele is now our current Patron.
The society prides itself on the motto “W.A.’s Progressive Orchid Society”. The society’s emblem is Cymbidium Arcadian Sunrise ‘Golden Fleece’, a strong yellow standard Cymbidium.
