Sonny goes to the light

PAKENHAM Centenary Show’s sunflower-growing competition has suffered its first casualty.
“Sonny”, the spirited seedling grown with much love in a corner of the Star News Group’s Pakenham office, passed away on Australia Day.
Holding back tears, Star Production Editor Jason Beck said he had raised Sonny from a seed.
“A lot of love – but not much expertise – went into that plant,” Mr Beck said.
He said Sonny had probably been doomed from the start.
“He was booming until the locust plague,” Mr Beck said last week.
“Then the flood seemed to finish him off.
“It was kind of biblical, really.”
Mr Beck said Sonny had been doing well, but may also have been over-fertilised.
“I thought if a little fertiliser was good, then a lot would be great,” he said. “I guess I was wrong.”
In another blow, two other seeds placed in the same pot as Sonny have so far failed to launch.
A nearby sunflower, owned by another Star employee and nicknamed Cher, is going great guns.
Pakenham Centenary Show will be held on Saturday, 19 March – inquiries to Secretary Des Wynne on 5940 1888 or 0408 117 709.