Kalbar Sunflower Festival — and Why Merlo Is Proud to Stand Beside Kalbar Sunflowers

There’s a quiet magic in a sunflower — the way it turns toward the light, standing tall and golden, offering joy to all who pass by. At Kalbar Sunflowers, that magic is more than just a beautiful bloom. It’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and giving back. And at Merlo, we’re incredibly honoured to have been invited to experience this magic.

Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Scenic Rim Region, you’ll find us among a million sunflowers at the annual Kalbar Sunflower Festival.

Where it all began...

In 2021, lucerne farmers Jenny and Russell Jenner were struggling to keep their crops alive during one of the longest droughts in living memory. Water had gotten so scarce they couldn’t grow their main crop — but after Russell brought home a bunch of sunflowers from the grocery store, the two had a light bulb moment. Sunflowers need very little water and look spectacular in bloom — and from that spark, the Kalbar Sunflower Festival was born.

What began as a drought-relief fundraiser has since grown into a vibrant celebration of life and community. Life, however, did not get any easier for the Jenners. In late 2021, Russell was diagnosed with Stage 4 Oesophageal Cancer. His stoic nature saw him battle through the next years, helping to create joy for others through the 2022 and 2023 festivals — events that raised over $115,000 for cancer care. Sadly, Russell lost his battle in July 2023.

Determined to carry on his legacy, Jenny continues to farm and open her fields to thousands of visitors each year, creating a space of joy, hope, and healing. Backed by a mighty and compassionate team, the 2024 Kalbar Sunflower Festival raised over $130,000 — enough to employ a Cancer Care Nurse at the Mater Hospital Springfield and purchase a cuddle bed for the Boonah Palliative Care Ward, all in Russell’s honour. We join Jenny in thanking everyone who came along and helped make this incredible achievement possible.

This year, we were privileged to witness firsthand the power of the Kalbar Sunflower Festival — a celebration that has blossomed into something far greater than a field of flowers. Founded on resilience, it now brings tens of thousands of people to the Scenic Rim region and raises vital funds for causes that matter — including cuddle beds for families navigating palliative care.

Cuddle beds are designed to provide comfort and closeness when it's needed most — allowing loved ones to lie side-by-side during the final stages of life. These beds are more than just furniture; they are gifts of presence and peace, supported through the incredible generosity of the sunflower-loving community.

4 years on...

This year’s festival was a shining example of just how powerful that generosity can be. Together, the Kalbar community raised an outstanding $100,000 for the Mater Cancer Care Coordinator, and on top of that, raised enough to fund three cuddle beds — each valued at $24,000. This is no small feat, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the volunteers, organisers, and tireless workers who made it possible. Your dedication is not only admirable — it’s transformative.

But what truly touched our hearts this year was a beautiful connection that grew from a single act of kindness.

Thanks to a warm-hearted customer named Peta, two members of the Merlo team were invited to a special Mater Foundation fundraiser lunch — an opportunity made possible by her incredible spirit and her deeply moving story.

🌻 Finding Light in the Sunflowers: Peta’s Story
In 2023, Peta lost her beloved husband Tony to Stage 4 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Their journey together spanned over three decades, and sunflowers were woven throughout — from the moment Tony handed her one plucked from the roadside in 1992, to the theme of their wedding, and even to the sunflower tattoo gifted on her 50th birthday as a symbol of strength and love.

This year’s Kalbar Sunflower Festival marked a powerful milestone for Peta. Volunteering in Tony’s memory, she stepped into a new role as Jenny’s “Social Media Butterfly,” bringing warmth, joy, and connection to the community. And when she finally met Jenny in 2024 — who herself had lost her husband Russell just months earlier — the two embraced like old friends, bonded by shared grief, purpose, and hope.

Peta’s story is one of turning heartbreak into healing. Her presence at the festival reminded everyone that sunflowers don't just bloom — they shine a light forward, even when the path is dark. Through her advocacy, her laughter, and her love for Tony, she’s become a living embodiment of the festival’s mission: #sunflowersforgood.

🌻 At Kalbar Sunflowers, we believe in the beauty of giving — and that even the smallest seed of kindness can bloom into something extraordinary.

At Merlo, we believe in the power of community, connection, and compassion. Kalbar Sunflowers aligns with everything we stand for — warmth, care, and supporting meaningful change. We are deeply inspired by the stories that bloom each year through the festival. From families like Peta’s, to the countless lives touched by the cuddle bed initiative, we see the impact, and we want to continue helping it grow.

That’s why Merlo is proud to commit to continuing our support of the Kalbar Sunflower Festival and the incredible work being done. Whether it's through sponsorships, sharing stories, or showing up with coffee and care, we want to be part of the sunshine this community creates.

Together with the team at Kalbar Sunflowers and the resilient people like Jenny & Peta who embody its spirit, we know we can turn a field of flowers into a field of hope.