Emily’s floristry skills bloom at the Ekka

It was her Certificate III in Floristry (SFL30115) teacher, Tammey White, sharing details about the Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) Floristry Competition. Emily’s first thought? That’s not for me. But then an email arrived.

“Tammey wrote me the most beautiful message telling me I had so much talent and encouraging me to enter,” Emily recalled.

“Her belief in me, combined with the constant cheerleading from my friends and family - and everything I’ve learned this year from Lyn Philp - pushed me to step out of my comfort zone.”

Once Emily committed, her creativity took over. The brief: design an arrangement for the welcome table at Government House for the Queensland Agricultural Awards.

The piece needed to withstand five days on display, showcase award-winning products, and embody the spirit of Queensland, so Emily’s mind went straight to her roots.

“My grandfather sources sugar cane from local farmers in Maryborough, so that was my starting point,” she says.

“I paired it with an apple and a pineapple to represent the Granite Belt and the Big Pineapple, and I chose vibrant purple orchids to honour Queensland’s state flower, the Cooktown orchid.”

She layered in native blooms - banksia, wattle, billy buttons, bottlebrush, lime gum, and wax flower - sourced from Brisbane wholesaler Flower Lovers and the gardens of generous friends and family.

Each stem added another layer to her story: a celebration of Queensland’s produce, people, and places.

When judging day arrived, Emily carefully set her arrangement on the table, surrounded by other stunning displays. Then, a distinguished visitor approached.

“The Governor of Queensland came over to talk about my design. She loved the orchids so much she gave me a Queensland Government House medallion featuring one,” Emily said.

Later, standing in front of the crowd as her name was called for first place in the Arrangement for a Welcome Table category, Emily felt a rush of disbelief and relief.

“Honestly, I kind of spaced out while I was up there, but all the late nights, sketches, and research had paid off.”

For Emily, the win wasn’t just a ribbon and a cash prize - it was proof she could hold her own alongside seasoned florists, and now she’s hooked.

"TAFE Queensland gave me the practical skills, creative techniques, and confidence I needed to bring my vision to life and step onto the competition floor knowing I could hold my own."

“I definitely plan to compete again, and one day, I want to open my own floristry design studio.”

The Royal Queensland Show Floristry Competition, conducted by the RNA, celebrates excellence in floristry and draws students, amateurs, and professionals from across Australia.

For Emily King, it became the moment she stopped doubting and started blooming.