For displays at the Show, Julie Rose wrote tributes for Mary in 2018 and Allison in 2019.
Mary Pearson – Champion Rose Exhibitor
Soon after the death of her father in 1927, Mary Pearson (née Hakesley) aged 17, migrated with her mother and brother from Coven, Staffordshire in England to join her older brother, Thomas, who was living and working in Brunswick. Mary married Tom Pearson in 1937 in St Peter’s Anglican Church in Brunswick, and lived and raised six children at Murton Farm on England Road, Brunswick. The Tom Pearson Pavilion at the Brunswick Recreation Ground is named after her husband.
The Pearson family has been involved in the Brunswick Show since the inaugural Show in 1932. Mary’s passion for growing roses began at their new home, built by the Newbys of Harvey in 1944. She had ideal conditions – good soil, irrigation water and an endless supply of dry cow manure from the dairy.
Mary pruned her roses herself, de-budding each bush and leaving only the largest bud in the hope of achieving the perfect bloom. Roses for the Brunswick Show could often be found in the shower in an effort to prevent them from opening too early. The day before the Show, the house was overtaken by roses, which had to be grown by the exhibitor and displayed in bunches or as specimens. By the 1970s Mary had 90 roses in her garden.
Mary’s roses were arranged with her friend Vera Britza (née Carrol) in St Peter’s Church for Sunday services, and also at the Brunswick Bowling Club where a friendly rivalry existed between her and Allison Campbell (Waldeck) with both displaying their magnificent roses on competition days. Mary was a Club Champion and Associate President of the Bowling Club. The competition was always strong between Allison and Mary at the Brunswick Show for many years.
Mary passed away 15 July 1989 survived by her children Geoffrey Pearson, Judy Clarke, Elizabeth Norton, Joan Rigg and Ann Newby. Tom and Mary’s son Thomas passed away aged 13. The Mary Pearson Memorial Trophy for Champion Bowl of Roses is still sponsored today by her daughter Elizabeth.
Mary Pearson’s tribute board arranged by her daughter Joan Rigg. The roses are arranged in the vase Mary used for her exhibits. Photo courtesy of Julie Rose.
Allison Campbell
Ruth Allison Waldeck was born in Guildford, WA, on 30 October 1917. She was raised with her three brothers on a vineyard at Caversham in the Swan Valley. Horse riding was her favourite pastime at which she excelled, competing successfully at the Perth Royal Show. Allison attended St Mary’s Girls’ School in West Perth – staying with her Aunt who lived nearby and then returning home on the weekends until her mother became ill, when she was taken out of school to care for her until she passed away at home. A very challenging time as Allison was only sixteen! Allison longed for a career in nursing but her father insisted that she remain home, cooking and cleaning for him and her brothers. Apart from these duties and her horse riding, she enjoyed gardening – especially her father’s rose garden where she soon discovered her love of flowers.
Allison married Don Campbell in 1940 and settled in Perren Road, Brunswick to a life in the dairy industry and raising a family of eight children.
Allison was instrumental in encouraging her nephew, the late Barry Waldeck, to follow his dream to build an award-winning plant and garden nursery, known as Waldeck’s Nursery, into an extremely successful business.
Allison was a keen lawn bowler and a member of the Brunswick pennant bowls team as well as playing in many championships. In the last summer of her life, she won the Ladies Veterans Championship.
In the early days, the Brunswick Show was the most important day on Allison’s calendar when she competed in various ring events on her beloved horse Rosie. In the late 1940s/early 50s Allison and Owen Piggott teamed up and competed successfully in the Pair of Hack events.
Allison established a large garden around their home featuring a circular rose garden and many other varieties of beautiful flowers. The day before the Show involved many trips back and forward to the showgrounds with her car, and often the car of her neighbour, Joan Fry, being full of her exhibits – sometimes numbering 30 entries with many prizes and championships being won including the prestigious Champion Rose trophy in 1970, 1984 and 1986. She continued to enter each year right up to the last Brunswick Show of her life in 1999 – notching up an incredible 59 years between the horse events and the flower section.
Allison Campbell’s tribute board arranged by her daughter, Jean Shine. Photo courtesy of Julie Rose.
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