Alister Clark was the son of Scottish immigrants, born in 1864 at Glenara, near Bulla (his father, Walter, had build this classical revival homestead in 1857). He bred roses (and originally daffodils) as a hobby, releasing 122 varieties between 1912 and his death in 1949. He gave the roses to charities to raise funds, as well as to the friends that he named them after. Only sixty six varieties are now available, including Lorraine Lee, Nancy Hayward and Black Boy. He was also a racehorse owner, a founder of the Moonee Valley Racing Club and has a race named after him (he also named rose varieties after his champion race horses).

(Sources: Gardening Australia, Bulla Garden Club and Hume City Council web sites)