Australian Rhododendron Society Gold Medal
CITATION
Arthur W. Headlam, Bentleigh,Victoria
Over a period of twenty three years you have achieved an outstanding record of service, nationally and internationally, by your extraordinary contributions to the advancement of knowledge of the genus Rhododendron.
Your first colour plate on the cover and your first illustrated article were published in 1961 in the Journal of the Australian Rhododendron Society. You then accepted the honorary position of official photographer for many years, Assistant Editor for five years, and finally, Editor of 'The Rhododendron' for eight years, a position you filled with distinction, acclaim and a huge personal contribution. In addition, many of your colour plates have been reproduced in Woman's Day and gardening magazines in Australia.
Internationally, you have achieved a truly remarkable record of service. Your illustrated articles, (many in colour), were first published in the 1966 Year Book of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, and continued regularly until 1979/80, and several of your illustrated articles in the Year Books of the New Zealand Rhododendron Association. Your article on Vireyas was translated into Japanese, eight of your colour plates were published in the handbook of the Japanese Rhododendron Society and twenty one of your colour plates were published in a handbook to promote the growing of rhododendrons in Japan.
Lastly, the magnitude of your contribution of articles and photographs to the Bulletin/Journal of the American Rhododendron Society stands far ahead of any other contribution - your first article in the American Bulletin was published in April 1964, and your contributions continued frequently until 1984. The high standard of your photographs justified their inclusion on the cover of the American Bulletin and a superb enlargement in the New York Garden Magazine.
The National Council of the Australian Rhododendron Society is proud to award its highest honour to Arthur W. Headlam, a truly great ambassador of rhododendrons.