Not only is he president of the World Federation of Rose Societies, but he is a commercial grower who raises 50,000 rose trees on 26 acres of land in his native Australia.

In addition, Mr. Ruston owns a private collection of over 4,000 roses -- "one of the world's biggest'' he says -- some of which are very rare, as well as a vast library of rose-related books.

Born and raised in Australia, his interest in roses stretches back to his childhood, when his father farmed the land and included roses in his colourful garden.

Today, that interest has expanded to include all plants. Indeed, his garden bursts with blooms of all varieties.

"My hobby is old roses, but I am interested in all plants, and I grow an enormous collection of bulbs and flowers,'' Mr. Ruston said.

Period flower arranging, the history of flower arranging, and antique containers are his other hobbies.

But then "hobbies'' in Mr. Ruston's vocabulary are subjective words. For he does not travel the world or hold the highest Rose Society office as a mere "hobbyist''.

A lifetime spent perfecting his knowledge and skills in the subjects which interest him has lifted him to recognition as an expert.

Unlike many "experts,'' however, Mr. Ruston is modest about his stature and achievements.

When it comes to flower arranging, he prefers what he calls "happy arrangements,'' rather than the stiffly stylised versions favoured by commercial florists and flower show competitors.

As someone who travels widely and extensively in pursuit of his hobbies, Mr.

Ruston particularly enjoys touring art galleries, where he glides past the Rubenesque nudes and fanciful glimpses of heaven in order to spend time studying paintings from the Dutch and Flemish schools which capture the beauty of flowers.

"You find out where each flower was introduced into Europe by looking at dated flower arrangements in the major art galleries,'' he explained.

Further study, and enhancement of his home also comes, in part, from acquiring prints of such paintings.

Of his presidential duties, which so far have found him visiting many of the 30-member affiliates of the World Federation of Rose Societies scattered around the globe, including tiny Bermuda, the quietly humorous, and typically laid-back Australian bachelor says: "It's rather like keeping the United Nations happy!'' Mr. Ruston has also attended "nine or ten'' international rose conventions, where 1000 delegates are average, and looks forward to his last one in Christ Church, New Zealand in November -- when his term of office will end.

Meanwhile, he has been spending time in Bermuda as a guest of the Bermuda Rose Society and is delighted with what he has seen of "this beautiful country''.

In his explorations, his keen eye has noted -- sometimes with surprise -- trees, plants and shrubs which are also common to parts of Australia.

Bermuda's "mystery'' roses (so-called because because no-one has been able to identify them) have proved particularly intriguing, and the internationally known rosarian felt their present names should be protected from outside interference.

"Your ten mystery roses have created great interest all over the world,'' he confirmed. "They should retain their Bermudian names and no-one should try to give them a name which has been given to some defunct rose that could possibly be the same as a Bermudian rose.'' Turning to his commercial operation in Australia, Mr. Ruston said that there, as elsewhere, certain vogues prevailed. While red roses were synonymous with Valentine's Day, "peaches, creams, pinks and apricots'' were far more popular, with demand being greatest for Mother's Day.

Astonishingly, Mr. Ruston sells his 24-inch stem roses for just A$8 (approximately US$6) per dozen, and never raises his prices at peak demand times.

Small wonder, then, that he employs ten staff to keep up with his booming business, which also supplies weddings and other special events.

Tonight, at the Horticultural Hall in the Botanical Gardens, the public will have a chance to share some of Mr. Ruston's love of roses as he delivers a wide-ranging talk and demonstrates the art of flower arranging using some of the prized containers from his antique collection, brought all the way from Australia.

MEET THE PRESIDENT! -- Mr. David Ruston, president of the World Federation of Rose Societies, will be giving a public lecture-demonstration tonight at the Horticultural Hall under the auspices of the Bermuda Rose Society.