The Flower Association of Qld Inc (FAQi), also known as Flowers Australia, has posted the following announcement:
"Flowers Australia has a long history of providing valuable services and initiatives for our members. These opportunities have been made possible thanks to the successful management of a range of state and federal government-funded projects, specifically aimed to benefit our members and the wider industry. This approach has formed the cornerstone of Flower Australia’s existence enabling it to develop a range of incredible industry tools, create the voice for our industry through the Flowers Magazine and build an online knowledge base of invaluable educational resources.
"In recent years, the criteria at both a state and federal level for government-funded initiatives has significantly changed, inhibiting opportunities for Flowers Australia to successfully apply for industry project funding. This has had a detrimental impact on our ability to remain viable and employ the required expertise we need to function as an incorporated association.
"The Executive Committee, made up of a broad range of industry volunteers from across Australia, continued to work tirelessly over recent years looking for alternate approaches to keep Flowers Australia operating and thriving. This included seeking partnerships with other associations, industry sponsorships, events management and the broadening of our membership base. To be frank, it has been a huge effort to keep it alive in a particularly challenging industry environment. Despite it being a difficult and sad decision, the Executive Committee has had to carry out their duties to responsibly and formally Wind Up the association voluntarily, whilst that was still possible.
"Flowers Australia would like to take this opportunity to thank our members for their continuous support, past and present committee members who voluntarily devoted their valuable time and experience to improve and grow our industry and staff of the association, specifically in recent years. A special acknowledgment to Shane Holborn and Janelle Dahler whose dedication to our industry has been immeasurable, thank you."