Bittersweet year of preparation for Melbourne Cup’s Keeper of the Roses

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Mick Ryan has lovingly tended to Flemington’s world famous colourful rose display for 35 years. But for the man known as the Keeper of the Roses, this year's meticulous preparation of the more than 17,000 roses at the racetrack is bittersweet.

Transcript

00:00There's a special kind of beauty to Flemington in spring.

00:0617,000 roses adorn the racetrack, timed perfectly to bloom for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

00:13The secret is in the pruning.

00:15See this rose here, you've got one rose that's out.

00:18I'll take that away and watch what's behind it.

00:22After months of hard work, this is Mick Ryan's favourite time of the year.

00:27I wake up most days thinking, we're going to put more roses, so I just love them.

00:31It's my passion.

00:32Mick's connection to Flemington is lifelong.

00:35As a kid, he and his three brothers sold newspapers to race-goers.

00:40But his love affair with roses is thanks to his mum, who inspired him in the family garden.

00:46So when you see these different roses, do you see your mum?

00:50I do. It's amazing you're here today.

00:53My mum passed away a year ago today.

00:57Getting through last year's Melbourne Cup was particularly tough.

01:03The last thing I said to her, I said, Mum, you're the most beautiful rose I've ever seen.

01:06And I said, I'll dedicate it all to you.

01:08This year's display has been put together in her honour.

01:12I've got some of my mum's ashes here.

01:14You know, a rose bit is special to me, so.

01:17Despite losing his mum, Mick believes this year's bloom is his best ever.

01:22So you'd be proud of what you've prepared, do you think?

01:24Yeah.

01:25That's why I think it's the best year she's looking upon me.

01:28Yeah.

01:29A rose is never just a rose.

01:32A rose is never just a rose.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended