Madison Eastmond, Murray Pioneer

A Renmark local has stepped up to lead the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee, with her decision and recent community volunteer efforts saving the regional event for 2026.

Alongside an announcement that the festival will resume as normal in October, Vicki Dunhill was named the new president of the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Commitee at last week’s committee meeting.

“If no leadership meant that the Festival would cease to exist, I had to put my hand up and do something – I just had to step up if it meant allowing the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival to be saved for 2026,” Ms Dunhill said.

“It’s such an important event to the community and local businesses, and I am just delighted to be working with the fantastic Riverland Rose and Garden Festival Committee to once again bring the festival to the Riverland.”

Ms Dunhill said she was “excited” to take on the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival “as normal” come October, and hoped to bring “fresh ideas” to the iconic event.

“Though I was not on the committee for past festivals, I have been involved in many Riverland Rose and Garden Festival events, such as The Renmark Institute Display,” she said.

“All events, as they have done in past years, will be held in 2026. However, my mind is already full of ideas and I can’t wait to discuss them with the committee for the October festival.”

Though recent calls to save the festival in the last month has attributed to a new president, five newer committee members, and up to 19 additional volunteers for the event, Ms Dunhill encouraged locals to “still help out when they can”.

“We will still need people to help with setting up the event and throughout October,” she said.

“We always are searching for new committee members of course, but we would be so grateful if more locals could join our non-committal (option) Friends of the Committee – those are the people we call on when we need that extra support.

“Additionally, we would really love more people to consider opening their gardens to the public.

“All are welcome, and we really want to communicate all gardens are good enough to be part of the festival – you don’t even need to have roses.

“We are just really hoping the community get behind the festival for 2026 and make it the best as it can be.”

Former Riverland Rose and Garden Festival president Michelle Dominic said she was “really grateful Vicki put her hand up and has decided to take on the role”.

“Vicki will be well supported by the fantastic committee of the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival,” she said.

“Overall, it’s just lovely to see – Vicki has such a passion and a drive, so the festival will be in good hands.”

Part of the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival for five years as a committee member, and president of the regional event for the past four, Ms Dominic said she was looking forward to “a year off before getting involved (with the event) once again”.

“I definitely won’t be stepping away for a long time, just for this one year,” she said.

“I would really love to come back and look after the open gardens. That role is initially what I was doing when I joined the committee, and gardening is just such a passion of mine – it was great to be able to showcase what the Riverland has on offer from our amazing gardeners each year.”

Speaking on behalf of the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival committee, member Glenda Kelly said the committee was “so grateful and thankful” for Ms Dominic’s “guidance and leadership over her term as president”.

“Michelle’s commitment and dedication to the committees’ goals have been outstanding and her patience and calm approach have been an inspiration to us all,” Ms Kelly said.

“Michelle has created a positive environment for the committee to continue on, and her impact and efforts will be felt for years to come – she has set a high standard for future leaders.

“On behalf of the entire committee, we thank Michelle for her efforts and hard work. We wish her well with her well-deserved break from her duties as she hands over the reins to our new president. We look forward to Michelle re-joining the committee in coming years.”

For further information, or to join or assist the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival committee, email (info@ riverlandrosesandgardens.com.au).

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 25 February 2026.
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