The Floral Design Council of South Australia’s history is linked to the Country Agricultural Shows which were and still are big occasions in the life of our country towns across our state.  Those in the city know the annual Royal Adelaide Agricultural and Horticultural Show.
Before 1958 there was an opportunity for many in the country and city to create floral arrangements to enter in competitions of these Agricultural Shows.   In the late 1950’s 8 ladies were chosen from our State to judge the floral entries at each of the shows both in our state and nationally.   On returning from a Floral Show in Melbourne in 1959, Ina Heaver, Alice Mader and Eva Storr met with 5 other talented ladies, Floss Bartram, Lil Nesbitt, Gwen Sim, Jean Grund and Lyn Clark and as a result of this meeting the SA Judges School for Floral Art Inc was formed.  
In May 1960 the first School, under the patronage of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia, was held with 95 people attending from around the state.  There were demonstrations, discussions and analysis of designs plus topics including Colour, Harmonies, Standards in Judging, Point systems, and staging shows. 
The primary function of this group was to teach people about floral art and to train judges in all that was required to judge at the Country & City Agricultural shows.  The committee continued to organise workshops and groups to study Design principles and Elements building and refining rules, and standards.  Judges Schools were held once a year over 3 days for a number of years in the Sir Keith Angus Hall in the Wayville Showgrounds.
By 1970 there were 52 affiliated Clubs plus many associate members from all over South Australis totalling approximately 1200 people.  The Judges school was now expanded to a 5 day event with 1 day devoted to Judges exams!  During this era South Australian designers led the way in creating Modern Designs with one of the members introducing this style to 6 major cities in the USA.
In 1986 there was a name change to Floral Art Council of SA Inc and then in 1999 to the Floral Design Council of SA.  The committee has changed with the times and with many of our Judges being included at International events, studying in European countries and competing Internationally new ideas are always being discussed and brought back to our members in our state for demonstrations and discussion.  Like all good organisations we are open to change and embrace all opportunities to learn from others.
From small beginnings we have grown and so have out country and city shows.  The shows continue to be popular events for Floral Artists around the state who enter their beautiful works in the competitions each year. We are ever grateful to the 8 women who set out to educate others, to expand members horizons and to ultimately share their love of Floral Art. Long may the popularity of Floral Art continue.