Keith COPAS [9335]

  General Notes:

1904 SA Birth COPAS Keith Henry Walter COPAS Margaret Marcella SPRATT Frome 731/150


News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Wed 3 Nov 1926
WOMAN'S WORLD
Dance at Windsor Cafe:
Miss Mary Butler and Mr. Keith Copas entertained about 50 guests at Windsor Cafe Rundle street, Adelaide, on Monday night. Red and yellow roses and gaily colored balloons brightened the dance room. For those who did not dance card tables were arranged at one end of the room. Mrs. Mitchell's excellent music helped to make the dance a success. Miss Mary Butler in petunia georgette received her guests. Mrs. Butler wore a black and white figured crepe de chine. Mrs. Jack Wotton was gowned in a black pleated georgette with petunia tonings, Mrs. Copas was in black crepe de chine, Miss Margaret Copas wore a dainty shell pink frock trimmed with white fur, and Miss Elsie Colpas chose green brocade. Miss Fay Adams was in blue chenille. Miss Marjory Butler wore green morocain. Mrs. Oertel was frocked in apricot tinsel with silver aIl georgette trimmings, and Miss E. Stewart in a blue and silver frock. Invited guests were Mr. and Mrs Jock Wotton. Miss Joan Wotton, Miss E. Lenthall, Mrs. Adarms. Miss Audrey and Fay Adams. Mr. H. Kendall, Misses Neda and Rene Walpole, Mr. and Mrs. Oertel. Miss Eva Johns, Miss Kathleen Waterhouse, Miss Wynne Yorath, Miss E. Reeves, Miss L. Langley, Miss Ada Stevens, Mr. Daws Stevens, Miss Dorothy Hall, Mr. W. McNeil, Mr. Walter Cotterell. Mr. B. Maegraith, Mr. R. Harmer, Mr. L. Evans, Mr. Leslie Harmer, Mr. C. Thompson, Mr. Frank Edmunds, Miss M. Spratt, Miss Connie Copas, Miss V. Wickham, Miss Nellie Reid, Mr. John Harmer, Mr. Ian Galloway, Miss G. Pelzer, Miss B. Humphris, Mr. R. Francis, Mr. Jack Foster, Mr. John Westley, and Master W. Botting.

Quorn Mercury (SA : 1895 - 1954) Thu 25 May 1950
Has Grown a Million Rose Bushes
REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT MR. KEITH COPAS OF
A million roses - bushes not flowers - is a mighty tall order but that is about the number that Mr. Keith Copas, 46 years old South Australian, has grown in the past 18 years. In that time, Mr. Copas, who is known to his friends as Joe, has been growing roses in a big way on his own, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather before him.He just can't recall when he grew his first rose as he "has been at it all his life." This season's planting was 93,000 and already Mr. Copas is anticipating 100,000 for next season. He is South Australia's biggest rose grower and although he does not make the claim himself, has been told that he is probably the biggest rose grower in Australia. About a third of his output is absorbed in the local trade, which has expanded considerably since 1938. The rest is exported to NSW, Victoria and WA and occasionally plants go to Tasmania and New Zealand. Mr. Keith Copas is a nephew to Mr. J. P. (Jack) Copas, of Flinders Street, Port Augusta (near Mr. J. W. Fullerbon's butcher shop), from whom these roses can be obtained.

The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954) Sat 9 Sep 1950
HE'S GROWN A MILLION ROSES
Mr. Keith Copas, described as Australia's most prolific rose grower, has probably produced more than a million rose bushes. Yet he shyly admits that the lawn cutting at his Underdale home is often left to his wife, and he gets a man in to look after his garden. Mr. Copas, tall, lean, and 46, worked in a bank for two years after leaving school. He then quit for the open air, and has been growing roses ever since. His grandfather and father were - nurserymen, too. Mr. Copas grows only roses. A few years ago he shifted his stock from Underdale to six acres on aptly named Briar road, Payneham. There, he has about 3,000 rose bushes of many varieties in his stock bed, about 83,000 cuttings, which will eventually be bushes, and about 31,000 tall cuttings, which will eventually be standard roses. Buds from the stock bed bushes will be grafted on to the cuttings next month.
Increases yearly
By autumn, the cuttings will be big enough to dig. They will be sold here, in Victoria, NSW, Western Australia, and a few in Tasmania. Mr. Copas caters for the wholesale trade. He grows roses according to orders received. He started growing with a planting of about 55,000, and has been increasing that number every year. Mr. Copas thinks plants sell too cheaply. For 5/ or 10/ you can buy something that will give you fruit or pleasure for up to 20 years. That's a fairly good investment, he said. Important factors Mr. Copas still works on the block, although in busy periods he employs up to seven or eight men and women. He is proud of the razor-sharp spades used for digging the bushes. Use of too much manure was fatal in growing roses, he said. Good drainage, and healthy, clean foliage were the most im portant factors. His parting words of advice for rose growers were: - "At all costs, in spite of what many experts say, avoid deep planting and deep cultivation. Roses are surface feeders, so don't bury them."

The Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1912 - 1954) Sat 10 Jul 1954
Big demand for roses:
Although a record number of rose plants was produced in SA this year, there have not been enough to meet local and interstate demands. Australia's most prolific rose grower, Mr. Keith Copas, of Lockleys, said to day about 400,000 rose plants had been produced and sold by SA growers this year. That was about 50,000 more than last year. Mr. Copas said one reason for the big demand for roses was the increase in home building. 'In addition,' he said, 'interest has been stimulated by the introduction in recent years of many brilliant varieties to the modern polyantha (Florabunda) section. "The highlight of the season's record sales has been the increasing popularity of these roses with their wide range of colors. The Hybrid Teas list is also being constantly improved, and some varieties being recommended and sold at present have been out of date for some time."
Sales in stores:
Mr. Copas said some years ago Adelaide department stores had difficulty in selling 5,000 rose trees a year, but now they sold up to 35,000 a year. One day he sent 7,500 plants to an interstate firm. All were sold between 9 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. As well as standard rose plants, he had sold 97,000 rose trees this year, including 57,000 to Victoria and Western Australia. "My stock for next year will be about 140,000 plants, but I think there will still be a shortage because of the lack of rain last summer," he said. "The most popular rose throughout is still Madame A. Meilland (Peace), yellow with pink cheeks, but my best selling rose is the Lorraine Lee - I have an order for 5,000 plants from one Melbourne firm alone." (article includes picture of Mr. Copas)

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Friday 15 August 1975
Death Notice:
COPAS, Keith. - On August 13, at hospital, Keith, dearly beloved husband of Rilda, of 404 Henley Beach road, Lockleys, loving father of Peter. At rest.
COPAS, Keith. - Loved brother of Elsie and uncle of Joan and Pauline. Always remembered.

Funeral Notice:
COPAS. - THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. KEITH COPAS, of 404 Henley Beach road, Lockleys are invited to assemble for his Funeral Service on FRIDAY, at 12.45 p.m. in the Sir John McLeay Chapel, Centennial Park Crematorium. Alfred James & Sons AFDA Unley Mile End Prospect Alberton 741128.

1975 Centennial Park Cemetery Location: Weeping Rose, Rose Bed N2, Position 004.

  Other Records

• Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1980: nurseryman, 1939, Sherriff street, Underdale, Adelaide, South Australia.

• Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1980: nurseryman, 1941, Sherriff street, Underdale, Adelaide, South Australia.

• Australian Electoral Roll 1903-1980: nurseryman, 1943, Sherriff street, Underdale, Adelaide, South Australia.

Keith married Rilda Gertrude RAYMOND [8112] [MRIN: 3382], daughter of Ernest Hugh Miller RAYMOND [5020] and Helen Gertrude PERRY [2947]. (Rilda Gertrude RAYMOND [8112] was born on 26 Apr 1907 in North Adelaide, South Australia, died on 8 Mar 2010 in Adelaide, South Australia and was buried on 12 Mar 2010 in Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia.)

Keith next married Mary Kathleen BUTLER [11858] [MRIN: 4382]. (Mary Kathleen BUTLER [11858] was born on 1 Nov 1904 in Balaklava, South Australia, died on 8 May 1985 in Adelaide, South Australia and was cremated on 9 May 1985 in Private cremation.)

  Marriage Notes:

News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954) Mon 1 Nov 1926
ENGAGEMENT
Copas - Butler The engagement is announced of Mary Kathleen, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Butler, Thorndon Park, Campbelltown, to Keith, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Copas, Hiawatha, West Underdale.

(did this couple marry?)