2025 Dean Stringer OAM Award

Deborah Curtis is the winner of the 2025 Dean Stringer OAM Award.

The Rose Society of South Australia’s President, who chooses the winner, announced her as the recipient at the 2025 Christmas lunch.

He said Deb has contributed across a broad range of activities but is best-known for her long-standing role as coordinator of the volunteers in the International Rose Garden (IRG) at Adelaide Botanic Garden, a role she assumed in 2013, and she has since worked tirelessly, supervising at most of the Friday morning working bees.

“Deb has grown the group to its current healthy state of approximately 40 volunteers,” said Gavin, “with a leadership that has been described as subdued and friendly but firm. The group is hard working and shares great camaraderie.

“Deb personally trains all the new volunteers, taking them under her wing until they are ready to branch out on their own. She Deb is a skilled rosarian who enjoys nothing more than sharing her knowledge to her group and to the public in general.

“This remarkable commitment has occurred whilst Deb has battled chronic health problems that would have seen others abandon the role long ago.”

Deb’s unofficial “2IC” in the garden, Sharyn Perrin, accepted the award on Deb’s behalf, presented by Society Patron, Mr Rod Bunten.