Bill & Mary Anne Ater of Austin, Texas, are the 1996 winners of the Helen Field Fischer Gold Medal, the highest award presented in recognition of service to the American Hemerocallis Society.
Bill & Mary Anne Ater began growing daylilies in 1960. In 1965, they joined the Austin Hemerocallis Society and quickly established themselves as active participants. Over the years, Bill has served two terms as President for his local club. Both he and Mary Anne became Life Members of the American Hemerocallis Society and they frequently cooperate in their chosen projects. A special interest has been with accredited shows. They have worked at all levels of the organization to improve the quality of exhibitions. Not surprisingly, Bill served as Chairman of American Hemerocallis Society Accredited Hemerocallis Shows and Chairman of Exhibition Judges & Clinics during his tenure on the American Hemerocallis Society Board of Directors. He has extensive experience as a Clinic Instructor. Bill served . For Bill's final two years serving American Hemerocallis Society on the Board of Directors, 1984-85, he moved into the seat of the American Hemerocallis Society Presidency.
The Aters would like to see all the shows have an artistic class. To give encouragement in this area, they have lent their floral arranging talents to their own and more distant clubs. After having completed the courses required to become a National Council Flower Show Judge, Bill is now giving programs on how to make blue ribbon arrangements. And in the National Council, he has moved from student to instructor.
The Aters have contributed to a number of American Hemerocallis Society publications, including instructional manuals such as the revision of the 1982 Judges Handbook. During his term as RVP for Region 6, Bill brought honor to his Region with his editing of the Region 6 Newsletter, for which he won the American Hemerocallis Society Newsletter Award.
Both Aters have served on various national committees. Bill has been a member of the Long Range Planning Committee and the Newsletter Award selection committee. Mary Anne is currently serving as Region 6 Liaison for the William E. Monroe Endowment Fund Trust. She was also on the organizational committee for the Region 6 Bertie Ferris Endowment Fund.
As a couple, Bill and Mary Anne Ater have joined hands in making the American Hemerocallis Society a stronger and more productive Society.
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