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Remembering Riverland rose legend David Ruston

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A close-up of a gorgeous bright red rose with the garden in the background.
The RSL rose was developed to raise money for the care of veterans and their families.(ABC Rural: Jennifer Nichols)

Sadly, well-known rose grower David Ruston has passed away. He will be remembered for his hard work, community involvement and of course, roses.

Mr Ruston, who planted the largest private rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere, wasn't only an icon in his home town of Renmark, South Australia, but he also shared his knowledge and expertise globally.

He was the first Australian to hold the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) presidency position.

Roses weren't always available to everybody in Australia, initially only being grown in the gardens of settlers who could afford them.

Kelvin Trimper, a long-time friend and the second Australian to hold the WFRS presidency, shares how Mr Ruston expanded the use of roses for "us commoners" and made them popular.

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