Five Timaru volunteers are proving you are never too old to be a flower girl.
The women received a certification of appreciation each from Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury which is throwing a spotlight on volunteers across the region, as part of this year’s International Volunteer Year (IVY 2026).
Annie Westgarth, Rose Cooney, Pam Niles, Lee Keeley and Cath Preen were nominated by Hospice South Canterbury for the floral arrangements which are dotted through the hospice rooms and shared spaces.
Annie Westgarth began as a volunteer florist at hospice a decade ago.
She said there were only two people arranging flowers when she started, and she quickly began to recruit friends to help her.
The voluntary florist role involved sourcing and picking flowers as well as arranging them, so she soon began recruiting friends with gardens to donate some of their blooms to the cause as well.
Mrs Westgarth said trees found on the side of the road provided good foliage for the arrangements.
She said when they asked around town for blooms people were “only too happy to donate”.
Timaru Top Ten holiday park let the volunteers use some of their blooms, and florist Bloomers donate a bunch of flowers to the volunteers each week.
She said the large arrangements of flowers also provided families going through a difficult time with something to make small talk about.
“We love doing it,” she said.
Manager of volunteering Bronwyn Simons said the impact of the flower girls’ work was profound.
“For patients, families and visitors these arrangements provide moments of comfort, joy and reflection in what can often be a difficult time.”
Bronwyn Simons said the flower girls highlighted the many ways people could get involved. She said the organisation had more than 350 volunteers, including 10 biographers, 15 gardeners, 70 cooks and 120 op shop staff.
“We just could not run without volunteers.
“We couldn’t operate.
“These volunteers are not just arranging flowers; they are creating an atmosphere of warmth and care, helping to make hospice feel more like home.”
She said the result was nothing short of stunning.
“Through their time, talent and love of flowers, they bring light and beauty to Hospice South Canterbury — one arrangement at a time.”
