On March 27th, 1986 - Easter Thursday a car bomb was detonated in Russell Street, Melbourne. A Victorian Policewoman died as a result of extensive burns sustained during the bombing. Thirty years ago, Angela Rose Taylor was the first Victorian policewoman to be killed in the line of duty. She was 21 when she died four weeks after the bombing.
On the 21st August 2001 her parents, Marilyn and Arthur Taylor, planted the rose named after her in the Federation leaf. Only one plant was available at the time, but we have since filled the bed. The rose is a living memorial to a policewoman who paid the ultimate price for providing law and order in our community.
Mr. Smith of Mooroolbark bred the rose. It is a seedling of Hannah Gordon. Softer in colour with excellent fragrance and very healthy growth. It’s growth pattern is odd. It could be said to be a medium bush, but every now and then it will throw up an extra long cane. We are never sure what to do with these.
The rose, Angela Rose Taylor, is one of many “charity” roses, with a portion of the sale price going to benefit the Victorian Police Blue Ribbon Foundation.
