The sun shining on the Port Pirie Orchid Club Winter Show, which was alive with colour at the weekend.

Australian Orchid Council-qualified judges from Adelaide and Port Pirie judged the winners on Friday in preparation for the weekend crowds.

Club secretary and qualified judge Rob Worden was happy with a local winner for the coveted 2010 Champion Spring Show. “A local win was very good considering the season is not best here or interstate for orchids currently,” he said.

The result was especially pleasing for Phillis Fletcher, of Port Pirie, who was a first-time winner, finally, after having patiently entering her orchids in the competition for more than a decade.

Ms Fletcher was extremely happy with the display her One Tree Hill ‘Doris’ Cymbidium made for the show.

“I am simply delighted,” she said.

More than 70 entries were included in the special panda theme display which was popular with the crowd, and there was a good display of Australian native orchids.

An orchid named Doris won the champion award at the Port Pirie Orchid Club Winter Show at the weekend.

Local enthusiast Phillis Fletcher is pictured with her vibrant yellow Cymbidium flowers. Not only were the orchids named after people, but there was also a display with a pandas theme. The crowds were treated to a sausage sizzle, trading table, home-made cakes and potting demonstrations at the Pensioners Hall, in David Street, on Friday,?Saturday and Sunday. It was one of the two major yearly events for the club.