Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society thanks modest Merv for years of supplying daffodils

Daffodil grower supreme Merv Goodley (left) and wife Sue (right) have been honoured at Eastlwoodhill Arboretum for their long-running support of Daffodil Day, along with predecessor daffodil suppliers the late George and Kevin Johnston. A plaque acknowledging their contribution has been presented and will be installed in a meadow at the arboretum featuring the Goodleys' final donation of 12,000 daffodil bulbs. With the Goodleys at the presentation are (from left) Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society president Pamela Murphy, arboretum general manager Garrett Blair and Cancer Society fundraising and events co-ordinator Shay Podjursky. Photo / Wynsley Wrigley

Legendary daffodil grower and Cancer Society supporter Merv Goodley is as colourful as the yellow flowers he grows.

The Mahanga Beach resident has been honoured at Eastwoodhill Arboretum, along with his late predecessors George and Kevin (Rock) Johnson, as three daffodil growers who have been donating bulbs to the arboretum and numerous councils throughout the country, and giving blooms to the Cancer Society since at least the 1960s.

The Gisborne East Coast branch of the Cancer Society and the arboretum marked this contribution with a plaque that will be installed at the arboretum’s plantation made up of Goodley’s final 12,000 bulbs donated before his retirement.

Goodley, who has been involved with daffodil growing for about 20 years, said George and his son Rock were the people who really deserved to be honoured.

“Old George’s involvement goes back 60 years. They won awards [at flower shows], but now this is where it is. It should be all about George and Rock, who carried it on.”

Rows of daffodils at Merv Goodley's Mahanga Beach property last year. Goodley has been a huge supporter of the Cancer Society for 20 years, but his growing days are over after donating 12,000 bulbs planted at Eastwoodhill Arboretum. Photo / Liam Clayton

Goodley said he “used to yarn to Rock” — a good mate from their rugby-playing days with Old Boys — about the daffodils and it was from those chats he decided to get involved.

Goodley said he was still growing daffodils at his property and these would be sold at the Māhia Beach store this year, “but next year they’ll be long gone”.

Has he got any tips for people growing daffodils at home?

“Nah, I just chuck them in the ground [but] it’s a lot of hard work.”

Some of his daffodils were planted in 50m x 50m sections.

Goodley said he was lucky he did not have to follow the advice of “the Rock” to plant the bulbs deep because of the possibility of a dry summer.

“I don’t need to. We’re in river silt, which holds moisture in a drought.”

GEC Cancer Society fundraising and events co-ordinator Shay Podjursky said it was humbling to see generous support from people over such a long time.

“The donation of over 12,000 bulbs from Merv and Sue Goodley, planted at Eastwoodhill Arboretum, will make a tangible difference to our Daffodil Day Appeal each year moving forward — providing hope and brightness to our wider community each August.”

“This meadow of new daffodils really is special. Not only are they a gorgeous collection of mixed varieties, some are award-winning [types].

“To be able to say thank you to those who have contributed to this legacy along the way is really important and we look forward to sharing it with the public.”

The plaque, in part, says: “The Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society wishes to acknowledge and thank the Johnson Family, Merv and Sue Goodley and Eastwoodhill Arboretum for their ongoing support across the years and the dedication to providing cut flowers to the Cancer Society for years to come.”