Before 1958 Country Agricultural and Hortiultural Shows were big occasions in the life of country towns. There were also a few city based Horticlutural Shows This included the Royal Adelaide Agricultural and Horticultural Show as well. There were a few ladies who gained a reputation of creating very appealing arrangements both in the city and the country. 8 such ladies, mostly residing in Adelaide were asked to do much of the flower arranging judging at these shows. Three of these ladies coming home from a Melbourne based Flower Show, discussed the arrangements, and after observing the lack of knowledge of those judging the show, were convinced of the need to form an organisation to promote and teach floral art and to instruct people in the ability and knowledge to judge at shows. These 3 ladies were Ina Heaver, Alice Mader and Eva Storr. They called together 5 other talented ladies, Floss Bartram, Lil Nesbitt,Gwen Sim, Jean Grund and Lyn Clark. These 8 ladies decided to form the S. A. Judges School for Floral Art Inc. in 1959. After a lot of reading and research, the first School was held in May 1960 at the patronage of the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of S.A.

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At this school, there were a lot of demonstrations with much discussion and analysis of Ethics for Judges, Colour Harmonies, Analysing Interpretations Wirework, Interpreting Schedules, Point systems, Standards in Judging and Staging Shows.  In our Archives we have a hand written copy of all discussions which took place at this School. It is interesting to read that these discussions are similar to many discussions we continue to have today. The School was a great success, with 95 people attending. The second School was held 18 months later.
 

The primary function has always been to teach people about floral art and to instruct people in the ability and 
knowledge to judge at Shows. The Organising Committee took on the responsibility for organising  and promoting workshops and various groups to study Design principles and Elements and to build and refine written rules & Standards, etc. Statewide, clubs or groups  were invited to affiliate and be represented at the Study Sessions and at the Judges Schools held in Sir Keith Angus Hall in the Wayville Showgrounds. Judges Schools alternated between Spring and Autumn for a number of years.

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In 1970, only 11 years after its conception there were 52 affiliated clubs plus many associate members people from all over S.A. A total of  about 1,200 people were actively involved in learning about Floral Art. The Judges School developed from a modest 3 day event to an intense 5 day affairs, with 1 day devoted to Judges Exams. One year, there was 150 enrolled in the school. At least 1 design was staged by most people every day.

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In the 1970's South Australian designers led the way in creating the "Modern Designs" and a Past Chairman being invited to introduce the S.A. version of "Modern Styles" in 6 major cities in the U.S.A.

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In 1986, the Organising Committee decided that there should be a name change to reflect changing ideas and the S.A.  Judges School became the Floral Art Council of S.A. Inc 

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As the world started to investigate 'space' so ideas on movement and abstraction were added to the study topics. Several S.A. Judges have been included on judging panels at International events and other judges have studied new trends, studying in European countries, as well as competing in International shows and seminars.

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In 1999 our name underwent another change and we now are the Floral design Council of S.A.