Making their dreams a reality
When you are young and excited about life and the seemingly endless possibilities that the future holds, there seems nothing you can't achieve.
Along the way some obstacles occur, the chosen path becomes intertwined with different side tracks, obstacles and sometimes there is a complete rethink of the pre-determined goal.
But Terry and Danuta Morrissey had a dream and that dream is now a reality.
Their Nursery, ‘Orchid Images' on Mt Scanzi Road is a success and they are now working on many ideas for future expansion and development.
Going back twenty years to when it all started. Both Denuta and Terry come from families with a love and strong connexion with the land in Australia and Poland: genetics has played a part in their desire to grow plants.
So what did they do?
Work for the ABC: Terry and Danuta have collectively more than 40 years experience in Film and Television Production: Terry as a Film Editor and Danuta in the exacting position of ‘Film and Drama Television Continuity'.
They loved their work, were well respected, receiving accolades for their artistic endeavours. When working on film projects they spent time in their small nursery at Naremburn, breeding and growing orchids.
Actually there is a link between the day jobs and orchid breeding; finesse and attention to detail is required by both.
It was in Naremburn that Terry and Danuta decided to stop using the toxic chemicals typical of orchid horticulture at the time.
This led to the formation of Australia's first Organic Orchid Nursery.
Looking for land to expand their dream of turning a hobby into a commercial project, they came to Kangaroo Valley and stayed.
This was 1993 and from simple timber sheds with labour intensive watering systems and climate control, there now stands on the property, the absolute state of the art, high tech, most amazing orchid growing facility.
The plants and blooms are hardy, yet they do require the correct potting mediums, nutrients, temperature and moisture similar to the orchids' original habitats.
This new greenhouse holds thousands of orchids and by the turn of a switch, a computer guarantees ideal conditions by making adjustments in temperature and moisture control throughout the day and night, all seasons of the year.
The roof screens can retract to control light levels and it is a beautiful sight to watch the misting sprays move up and down the aisles and the baby orchids smiling.
They are also smiling because they are being grown organically and nurtured without the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fungicides.
This is a marriage of high tech and organic horticulture and it works.
At present Denuta and Terry breed the Australian orchids at the property and import the tropical seedling varieties from Taiwan, Singapore and other south East Asian countries.
These are nurtured, grown and on-sold.
Their plans for the future are to extend the facility and breed these beautiful flowers themselves.
They have experimented with potting mediums, organic fertilizers and pest controls that are grown on the farm to ensure the strength and energy of the plants are maintained.
Then more beautiful orchids are produced with greater vibrancy of colour and longevity.
The best florists in Sydney are delighted with the quality from ‘Orchid Images' first flowering tropical crop.
This philosophy to work with nature and leave a small imprint on the earth with their commercial enterprise has motivated these modern day pioneers.
After much struggle and personal sacrifice they have achieved a major part of the dream: the next stage holds promise of even greater satisfaction.
Their website, www.orchidimages.com.au is being expanded as Terry and Danuta are planning to use the knowledge they have gained, to instruct other growers and maybe agriculturists in the technology of organic growing .
Then more people can apply their methods and contribute to the sustainability of the earth's precious and finite resources.
Thank you
Danuta and Terry for sharing your inspirational dream and success.