Recently in Darwin Nursery and Garden Industry Australia held their annual National Conference and Awards Dinner announcing the top businesses from across the country. The Nursery & Garden Industry Awards recognise businesses and individuals within the industry that have shown excellent business practice in the past 12 months.
Robert Prince, CEO of the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia said “This year we have seen an exceptionally high standard of entries. Businesses within the Nursery and Garden Industry have tackled the challenges of economic down-turn, droughts and growing environmental concerns head on. This week we acknowledged the leaders in our industry.”
Recognising the changing face of the Industry is Mark Engall from Engall’s Nursery, NSW, who took out the title of National Young Leader amongst a very high calibre of competition from across the nation. “It has been such an honour to stand up in front of my peers and role models within the industry and be recognised as a leader. I am so humbled by this achievement,” said Mark.
Representing the Top End, Geoff Miers Garden Solutions won the National Community Award. The win acknowledges their ongoing dedication and support of the local community, through free education workshops and partnerships with several local organisations.
Amongst the 14 prestigious categories featured in the awards this year were two new categories, Best Government Nursery and Best Propagation Nursery. AQIS Post Entry Plant Quarantine Centre of Knoxfield, Victoria was named the 2010 Best Government Nursery in Australia and Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery of Skye, Victoria took out the Best Propagation Nursery and Training Award for 2010.
Other categories and winners included;
• Environmental Award: Provincial Plants and Landscapes of Pialligo, ACT & NSW
• Best Small Garden Centre: Elegant Outdoors, NSW
• Best Medium Garden Centre: Zanthorrea Nursery, WA
• Best Large Garden Centre: Van Loon’s Nursery, VIC
• Best Small Production Nursery: Hillier’s Horticulture, QLD
• Best Medium Production Nursery: Dracaena Farm, QLD
• Best Large Production Nursery: Warner’s Nursery
• Export Award: Mr. Fern, VIC
• Allied Supplier Award: Yates
In addition to these Awards, The NGIA Award of Merit was presented to John McDonald from Nursery & Garden Industry Queensland for his contribution to industry biosecurity and improvement programs for growers. CNP Student Scholarships were awarded to Cameron Hainsworth (VIC) and Regan Masman (NSW).