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What's Hot > National Conference > 2007
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2007 Nursery & Garden Industry Australia Conference in Review
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| Innovate, Accelerate, Celebrate – 2007 Conference in Review |
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Innovate Accelerate Celebrate was the theme for the 2007 Nursery & Garden Industry National Conference & Exhibition. Held at the Grand Hyatt in Melbourne from 12-15 February 2007, the conference attracted 320 registrants and 30 exhibitors.
Proudly sponsored by Yates, OAMPS, Scotts, Oasis and HAL the program featured sessions on innovation in the industry, how to accelerate your business and of course, the opportunity to celebrate the industry’s achievements both formally at the Conference Gala Dinner and informally through networking.
The very popular Tour Day featured spectacular production nurseries and garden centres packed with ideas and inspiration for delegates.
For the first time the conference offered a special rate for the 18-35 ‘NextGen’ age group in an effort to attract the youth of the industry. The ‘Love Your Industry, Ditch Your Lover’ cocktail party on Valentine’s Day saw around 100 people come to hear about the Victorian initiated NextGen Group and its progress around the country.
Speakers such as Professor Ian Lowe and Rob Gell focused on the relevant and hotly debated subjects of climate change and water. Delegates were rewarded with ways to turn these issues into opportunities for the industry. Other inspirational speakers including Stephanie Alexander, Paul Gardner and Harold Mitchell encouraged people to give back and invest in the future of the industry.
With feedback rating the 2007 Conference as a resounding success, all eyes are focused on South Australia in 2008.
Congratulations to the 2007 Conference Organising Committee for delivering this year’s fabulous and successful national conference.
| Robert Allison |
Garden City Plastics |
David Mathews |
Proteaflora |
David H. Daly |
Conifer Gardens Nursery |
Will Kennedy |
Linton's Garden & Home |
Alan Hollensen |
Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria |
Marjorie McLaine |
Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria |
Alison Morris |
Nursery & Garden Industry Australia |
Kobie Keenan |
Nursery & Garden Industry Australia |
Pat Napper |
Conference Solutions |
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2007 Yates Australian Garden Industry Award Winners
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Hundreds of conference delegates gathered together on behalf of Australia’s nursery and garden industry last month to recognise the exemplary business acumen and inspirational achievements of the finalists and winners of the 2007 Yates Nursery & Garden Industry Awards.
Presented at the 2007 Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) Conference Gala Dinner in Melbourne, the Awards honour the highest achievers for their outstanding efforts and contributions to the success and growth of the industry. This year, two remarkable businesses, Proteaflora Nursery of Victoria and Allora Gardens of the Northern Territory, were inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their third consecutive wins in their respective Award categories.
The esteemed judges of this year’s awards were Greg Belbin of Growmaster Howrah (TAS), Paul Cooling of Coolings Nursery (UK), Russ Higginbotham of Asset Horticultural Services (NSW), Geoff Richards, Richgro (WA), and Peter Trevarthen, former Yates national manager.
NGIA congratulates the following people and businesses for their outstanding achievements and inspirational contributions to the Australian nursery and garden industry:
2007 Yates Australian Garden Industry Award Winners
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| NGI Environment Award
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Bulleen Art & Garden, Victoria
“Bulleen Art and Garden promotes the philosophy that gardening is both rewarding and an aid to the environment…[it] has vast experience in educating the community about water conservation and works to create viable systems tailored to the individual needs of each customer...” |
| NGI Supplier Award
proudly sponsored by
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OAMPS Insurance Brokers
“OAMPS Insurance Brokers became involved with the nursery and garden industry in 1985 and launched ‘Nursery Pac’ insurance in 1996 to specifically assist the nursery industry. This product recognised the unique risk that nurseries face in being more susceptible to the elements...”
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| NGI Training Award
proudly sponsored by
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Eden Gardens and Garden Centre, New South Wales
“Customers are delighted, informed and entertained as Eden Gardens’ qualified staff provide inspirational gardening advice…Eden Gardens is committed to consistently updating and improving systems that impact on all areas of the expansive business.”
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| NGI Community Award
proudly sponsored by
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Bulleen Art & Garden, Victoria
“More than 20 organisations directly benefited from this business’ community commitment. Projects included…hosting children’s garden days for local kindergartens and schools, offering advice on local radio shows… The staff at Bulleen Art and Garden spent more than 700 hours last year in assisting the community – a remarkable investment.”
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| National Young Leader
proudly sponsored by
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Daniel Mansfield, Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery in Victoria
“More than seven years ago Daniel entered the industry that has been “in his blood” since birth. He has been the head grower for the California Pac trials representing five companies, he successfully exports plants to the United States, the Netherlands and Taiwan and chairman of the first NextGen group…mammoth feats for a future industry giant!”
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| Best Small Garden Centre
proudly sponsored by
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The Earth Works in South Australia
“From humble beginnings stocking cottage garden plants, The Earth Works now boasts a huge assortment of plants…giftware and garden art...Owner Di Marshall and her vibrant team ensure that there are always a variety of themed garden beds on display…[to show] how effectively different species can be coordinated.”
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| Best Small Production Nursery
proudly sponsored by
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Heatons Nursery in Queensland
“Heaton’s Nursery - now owned by son Peter and his wife Maree - is renowned for its ability to propagate ferns that other nurseries have said were impossible… Looking to prevention rather than cure, the nursery has turned to technology for answers, rather than using chemical sprays that are damaging to ferns.”
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| Best Medium Garden Centre
proudly sponsored by
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Allora Gardens in the Northern Territory
“…a thriving successful second business that encompasses a comprehensive range of well-merchandised products, creative and inspirational themed displays and staff that are committed to actively supporting and educating their community.”
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| Best Medium Production Nursery
proudly sponsored by
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WA Plantation Resources
“Primarily a plantation seedling nursery, this business raises seven million containerised seedlings every year… Significant upgrades to the nursery site have increased its original holding capacity from two and a half million to 10 million seedlings.”
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| Best Large Garden Centre
proudly sponsored by
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Tim’s Garden Centre in New South Wales
“Witty signs, slogans, radio education, advice columns and community information have combined to ensure that Tim’s Garden Centre has remained upper most in the minds of people looking for garden products and services in Sydney’s south west.”
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| Best Large Production Nursery
proudly sponsored by
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Proteaflora Nursery in Victoria
“Proteaflora is a wholesale nursery providing quality product to Australian nurseries, garden centres and cut flower growers across Australia and overseas. Founded in 1974 by the late Peter Mathews, Proteaflora has become the dominant Protea producer in Australia.”
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2007 Hall of Fame Inductees
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Two outstanding businesses enter Hall of Fame
Induction into the Hall of Fame is an honour granted to any business or individual who has won the same category (or its closest equivalent) for three consecutive years.
This year, wholesale nursery Proteaflora Nursery (Victoria) and garden centre Allora Gardens (Northern Territory) take pride of place alongside Acorn Nursery of Surrey Hills, Victoria, in the prestigious Hall of Fame. Acorn was the first outstanding business to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame winners are acknowledged annually for three years after their induction and will not be eligible to enter the category in which they have been inducted during that period.
Allora Gardens, NT - ‘Comprehensive…inspirational…creative…’ |
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Last year’s garden centre judge Peter Trevarthan drew attention to Allora’s “comprehensive range of well-merchandised products, inspirational themed displays and creative department and category signage” while in 2005, international judge Sue Allen described Allora Gardens as having “a unique personality and a certain brashness about its presentation…[which] all flow beautifully to create a warm, relaxed but exciting shopping environment.” |
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Proteaflora Nursery, VIC – ‘Excellence in all areas…’
2006 production nursery judge Barry Naylor described Proteaflora as a benchmark nursery “with superior plant quality.” He added, “They boast exceptional growing areas… and promote a professional image through excellent marketing with an eye to the future.” |
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NGIA Award Winners
The Nursery & Garden Industry Australia Awards honour the outstanding contributions of distinguished individuals to the national industry. This year, the awards recognise two remarkable figures, each of whom has made a lasting impression upon the industry.
The 2007 NGIA Award of Honour for outstanding services to the Australian nursery and garden industry was presented to Malcolm Lewis, whose significant contribution to the industry has been described as by NGIA president Stuart Swaddling ‘invaluable’.
Known for his thoughtful and reasoned disposition, Malcolm started in the industry with his landscaping business in 1976. Malcolm was instrumental in developing training courses through TAFE and has been President of both the South Australian and national Associations. Malcolm is a Life Member of NGISA and continues to be a very proactive and passionate supporter of the nursery industry.
This year’s Award of Merit for outstanding service on behalf of the nursery and garden industry acknowledged the inspirational career of Graham Ross.
Graham has educated and entertained Australia’s gardening community throughout his 45 year career. Seemingly unable to get enough of gardens, he has been a nurseryman, landscaper and park attendant as well as a teacher, garden writer, radio and television broadcaster, and in his spare time, garden tour operator. A long-time presenter on Better Homes & Gardens, his radio program has been running on Sydney’s 2GB for more than 25 years and is one of the highest rating programs in Australian radio history. |
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Young Leaders
Get up, make way…the next crop of nursery and garden industry leaders has entered the arena and is already capturing the attention of industry organisations.
National Young Leader Award Winner, Daniel Mansfield of Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery in Victoria, is certainly no exception. With only seven years’ service to the industry under his belt, Daniel has already distinguished himself as ‘the one to watch’.
“Young Leaders is a fantastic program to get involved in. It generates great industry exposure for you and your business, not to mention countless new contacts,” said Daniel.
Face to face interviews with an industry judging panel on the first day of the conference were held to determine the National Young Leader. Interview questions focused on the Leaders’ leadership qualities, career accomplishments and the challenges faced, as well as their passion for the industry. According to the judges, the standard of the interviews was excellent.
“I'm constantly delighted to see the quality of young people coming through the industry,” said Russ Higginbotham, who shared the difficult task of judging with Peter Trevarthen and Geoff Richards.
“It should give all of us confidence in the future to know we have people of this calibre among us.”
The 2007 Young Leaders (from left) are:
- Sean O’Brien (NSW)
- Brenton Playford (SA)
- Belinda Halliwell (NT)
- Daniel Mansfield (Vic)
- Absent: Andrew Jeffrey (Qld)
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2007 Conference powerpoint presentations
NB: Due to the large file size of several of the presentations, certain files may take some time to download.
Please note that the following presentations has not been made available online due to the large file sizes. If you wish to have a copy of these presentations sent to you on CD, please contact Industry Development and Events Coordinator Kobie Keenan at NGIA on ph: 02 9876 5200 or email kobie.keenan@ngia.com.au.
- The Best of the Best by Russ Higginbotham, Production Nursery judge
- The Best of the Best by Paul Cooling, Garden Centre judge
- Nurtrition by Greg Neighbour, Scotts Australia
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Keynote and special presentations |
- Climate Change: Our Future (PPT, file size 1.69 Mb) by Professor Ian Lowe, President, Australian Conservation Foundation.
- International Trends (PPT, file size 1.34 Mb) by Paul Cooling, International Judge, 2007 Yates Nursery and Garden Industry Awards.
- Innovation Without Investment is Nothing (PDF, file size 3.0 Mb) by Rob Gell , Director, Breakthrough Productions Pty Ltd and Gellignite Pty Ltd.
- Making and Taking Opportunities (PPT, file size 1.28 Mb) by Paul Gardner, Group Chairman, Grey Worldwide and Melbourne Football Club.
- The Elephant Enclosure: Town Planning Issues Affecting the Nursery & Garden Industry (PPT, file size 3.45 Mb) by Wes Fleming, Fleming Nurseries.
- Your Levy at work (PPT, file size 9.05 Mb) by Jenny Lambert , CEO, Nursery & Garden Industry Australia.
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| Guest presentations |
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