General News
7 September, 2023
Blossoming success for Liv Parker’s The New Leaf
After being in the business for only three years, a local florist is blooming with triumph after securing the runner-up position at a state-level competition — missing the top-spot by the smallest of margins. Maryborough’s New Leaf Boutique, run...

After being in the business for only three years, a local florist is blooming with triumph after securing the runner-up position at a state-levelcompetition — missing the top-spot by the smallest of margins.
Maryborough’s New Leaf Boutique, run by Liv Parker, has come in second at the 2023 Victoria Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA) Awards in the Flowers & Bouquets category, where she went up against 10 other contenders.
The winner, with the highest score, is selected on the basis of the reviews they receive from their customers — Ms Parker’s wedding couples gave her a total rating of 99.82 percent, whereas the business in first place received a rating of 99.87 percent from their clients.
With only 0.05 percent setting her and the other Echuca-based company, Bryants Buds, apart, Ms Parker said it was an unexpected achievement and big win.
“I’m feeling pretty proud and pretty excited,” she said.
“I didn’t think I’d get that close because the other finalists were some big designers, it’s very close — it probably would have come down to one review.
“All in all, it’s great and I’m very happy with the outcome. I’ll come back next year, get nominated again and try to get that extra 0.05 percent.”
Being recognised at the ceremony will prove to be all roses for the New Leaf Boutique as well as for Maryborough, with additional publicity putting the town and the business on the map.
“It’s been great just in terms of advertising as well,” Ms Parker said.
“I think I’ll get a lot more weddings and people from Ballarat, Bendigo and Avoca will come in too.
“This has helped spreading the word and getting my work out there.”
