How do I join the Manly Warringah Orchid Society as a member?

Updated

The Manly Warringah Orchid Society (MWOS) invites people to "Become a MWOS member today and grow your collection, knowledge and love of orchids." To join, go to the Memberships section of orchidsociety.com.au and follow the "Learn more & join" link. The website does not state membership fees or payment methods, so confirm those details directly with the society before you commit.

What membership is for

MWOS describes membership as a way to grow three things: your collection, your knowledge, and your love of orchids. That framing suggests the value is ongoing participation rather than a one-off purchase — you join a society that has been "educating and inspiring orchid enthusiasts on Sydney's Northern Beaches since 1979."

The practical benefits you can expect from a society of this kind, based on how MWOS presents itself, include:

  • Access to a community of growers — meetings, auctions and shows where members and the public mix.
  • Learning from experienced growers — for example, the next members' meeting features guest speaker Matt Roberts, described as a very experienced Stanhopea grower with a large collection of species and hybrids.
  • Chances to build your collection — auctions are described as opportunities to "pick up a wide variety of quality plants at excellent prices."

Membership vs. attending meetings and events

These are separate things, and the distinction matters when deciding whether to join.

Public access Membership
Monthly meetings MWOS "welcomes members of the society and the public to attend our monthly meetings" Included
Auctions Open to "members of the society and the public" Included
Shows (Winter Show, Orchids by the Sea, St Ives Orchid Fair) Open to visitors Included

In other words, you do not need to be a member to turn up to a meeting, an auction or a show. Membership is the step you take if you want to be part of the society itself rather than just attend its events.

How to join, step by step

  1. Go to orchidsociety.com.au.
  2. Find the Memberships section on the page.
  3. Select the "Learn more & join" link.
  4. Complete whatever process that link leads to. The website does not publish the fee, the payment options, or whether there is a waiting period, so if those details are not shown on the join page, ask the society directly.

A good way to test it first

If you are unsure whether membership is worth it, attend a monthly meeting before joining. The next one is at 8pm on Thursday 26 March 2026 at Cromer Community Centre, with the hall opening at 7pm. The guest talk on Stanhopeas gives you a sense of the knowledge level and the crowd. If that evening is what you are looking for, joining afterwards is a low-risk decision.

Dates worth knowing before you decide

  • MWOS April Auction — Sunday 12 April 2026, Cromer Community Centre. The catalogue is expected at least two weeks beforehand under Events.
  • MWOS Winter Show — 19, 20, 21 June 2026, Belrose Supercenter.
  • Orchids by the Sea — 7, 8, 9 August 2026, Belrose Supercenter.
  • St Ives Orchid Fair — 14, 15, 16 August 2026, St Ives Showground.
  • MWOS November Auction — 8 November 2026, Cromer Community Centre.

If you plan to buy plants at an auction, membership is not required to attend — but joining first means you hear about catalogues and events through the society rather than finding them by chance.