Hope for the New Millenium

The new rose, produced to increase and deepen global empathy for all of the world's HIV positive people, made its debut at the launch of the Adelaide International Rose Garden and the 2000 International Rose Festival in Adelaide on October 19.

HOPE was singled out from among tens of thousands of roses by South Australian Premier John Olsen who gave it a place on honour during the launch ceremony, showing it off to the media and rose growers and admirers who've come from all over the world to attend the internationally-regarded Rose Festival.

The HOPE rose was produced as a special commission for The Australian AIDS Fund Incorporated - a Melbourne-based charity that's been engaged in the care of men, women and children struggling to live with HIV/AIDS since the mid-1980's.

The AAFI itself came into being in response to the appalling discrimination meted out then to the NSW pre-schooler, EVE VAN GRAFHORST, the first Australian child to be infected by HIV via a blood transfusion.

Maureen Ross of Ross Roses with an armful of HOPE.

(Left to right) Shaun McCausland, President, PLWHA (SA) Inc., Mary-Ann Lovejoy, Manager, Positive Living Centre PLWHA (SA) David Fitzsimons, Manager, Adelaide Diocesan AIDS Council Inc.

The HOPE rose was especially grown by ROSS ROSES of South Australia, which is regarded as one of Australia's most talented rose breeders which is featuring it in its Australian TRUE BLUE Collection, a Federation Centenary project to focus the world's eyes on Australian roses.

The immediate objective is to offer HOPE at every capital city service planned to mark WORLD AIDS DAY on December 1 this year, as a lead up to its widespread availability.

Australian AIDS Fund Founder Brian Haill said the world was in desperate need of hope for an HIV vaccine in this new millennium.and the HOPE rose would hopefully act as an initiative and encouragement in the vital search for a vaccine and cure. HOPE needs to replace despair.

The HOPE rose will also make its appearance in the US, European and Asian markets "just as soon as possible".

Please contact Ross Roses directly for details of latest prices and freight costs as previously listed prices and costs only apply to winter sales.

There are savings to be made by buying bulk such as 10 or less, 11 - 25, 26 - 49, 50 or more.

Ross Roses can arrange direct supply to any address in Australia.

The new rose, produced to increase and deepen global empathy for all of the world's HIV positive people, made its debut at the launch of the Adelaide International Rose Garden and the 2000 International Rose Festival in Adelaide on October 19.

HOPE was singled out from among tens of thousands of roses by South Australian Premier John Olsen who gave it a place on honour during the launch ceremony, showing it off to the media and rose growers and admirers who've come from all over the world to attend the internationally-regarded Rose Festival.

The HOPE rose was produced as a special commission for The Australian AIDS Fund Incorporated - a Melbourne-based charity that's been engaged in the care of men, women and children struggling to live with HIV/AIDS since the mid-1980's.

The AAFI itself came into being in response to the appalling discrimination meted out then to the NSW pre-schooler, EVE VAN GRAFHORST, the first Australian child to be infected by HIV via a blood transfusion.

South Australia's Premier John Olsen at the Hope Rose Launch.