VOLUME 24 NUMBER 8 AUGUST 2013
Greening
our urban environments
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JANE EDMANSON: WHY GARDENING IS GOOD FOR YOU – SEE P17
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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12 09 David Howard
CONTENTS 06 Burnley Green Roof Project 09 Profile: Fytogreen 13 Bridging the green gap 17 Why gardening is good for you
President, NGIV 20 Smart mark recognises water savings 25 Revealed 28 Trade Day 30 Business Directory
19 Are you adequately insured?
PUBLISHER NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA PRESIDENT David Howard CEO Euan Laird EDITOR Youna Angevin-Castro E: youna@ngiv.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Nan Cleven, Jane Edmanson, Alan Hollensen, David Reid ADVERTISING Wendy Wild MOBILE 0421 800 093 ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, East Malvern, 3145. MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO, East Malvern VIC 3145. TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599 FAX (03) 9576 0431 EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au WEBSITE www.ngiv.com.au FINISHED ART Vale Graphics 2 Johnston Street, Ashburton VIC 3147. M: 0409 88 77 06 E: angiev@optusnet.com.au PRINTING Southern Colour 2 Southpark Close Keysborough VIC 3173
This project has been funded by HAL using the nursery levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.
HORTICULTURE AUSTRALIA LIMITED
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n July, the NGIV Board met to discuss our plan of attack for the next twelve months. It was a lengthy discussion, which has resulted in what can only be described as a ‘bold’ set of initiatives designed to position our organisation for future success. An important focus of the discussion was the need to ensure the ongoing benefit to our industry through our involvement in MIFGS. As I have reported in the past, a creative committee was charged with coming up with some initiatives for attracting more industry involvement, and bringing more patrons to the five-day event. I am pleased to say that the Board has endorsed some exciting enhancements, including the introduction of a brand new event. The ‘Garden State Dinner’ will be a public charity gala dinner to be held at the Royal Exhibition Buildings on the weekend of the Show. We are currently in discussions with some high profile partners, who hopefully will not only assist us in building exposure for the show, but will also attract interest from corporate investors to support our show gardens as well. The Board also supported the relaunch of the NGIV Garden Retailers of Victoria brand. The plan is to introduce a precinct at MIFGS which will feature a re-imagined ‘Revealed’ display, showcasing new releases and product lines to retail members, horticulture media and, of course, the broader public. I’d like to remind everyone that the 2013 National Nursery & Garden Industry Awards are closing soon, and I encourage you all to enter before the August 12 deadline. State finalists will be announced at our annual awards gala dinner and AGM, which is to be held at the Manningham Hotel on 22 November this year. Don’t forget to pencil it into your diary! Cheers,
David Howard NGIV President Bay Road Nursery
Level 7, 179 Elizabeth Street Sydney NSW 2000. Tel: (02) 8295 2300
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FROM THE CEO’S DESK
EVENT CALENDAR
August Tuesday 6th August 2013: Trade Day Market at Caribbean Gardens, Scoresby. Trading hours strictly: 7.00am – 11.30am. For more information: Cathy Rideg Ph 03 9576 0599 I Email ngiv@ngiv.com.au
Thursday 8th August 2013: NGIV Education Workshop Superannuation & Insurance – Transition to Retirement For more information: Sheryl Kingsley Ph 03 9576 0599 I Email sheryl@ngiv.com.au
Monday 12th August 2013: Closing date of 2013 National Nursery & Garden Industry Awards For more information: Nursery & Garden Industry Australia Ph 02 8861 5100 I Email awards@ngia.com.au
Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th August 2013: Tree & Shrubgrowers Interstate Tour For more information: Cathy Rideg Ph 03 9576 0599 I Email ngiv@ngiv.com.au
Seminar on international research on myrtle rust Guest speaker: Professor Acelino Alfenas, Federal University of Viçosa, Brazil Myrtle rust is a serious fungal disease affecting the plant family Myrtaceae, which includes eucalypts and many other Australian native species. Date & time: 9.30am-11.00am Wednesday 14 August 2013 Venue: DEPI Knoxfield 621 Burwood Highway Knoxfield
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he last 12 months have certainly been busy for the NGIV, and the next 12 months look to be just as prolific. In closing off last financial year, I am pleased to advise that (pending final numbers) it looks like the NGIV will make a small profit for the financial year. This is a pleasing result, despite concerns about the financial viability of certain events throughout the year. In planning for the year ahead, the staff and Board have worked hard to come up with an offering that provides true value to our members. In addition to some of the plans for MIFGS, we have also evaluated how we can add to our member benefits. I am pleased to advise that over the coming months we will be introducing a membership rewards program which will offer a range of discounts to your business.
Last issue I announced that we had been asked by NGIA to develop a proposal to distribute Groundswell nationally, four times a year. Since then, the NGIV Board has decided to extend our distribution to a national readership four times per year (with the remaining monthly editions to continue being distributed in Victoria alone), independently of the national office’s final decision. The reason for this is two-fold. Firstly, many of you will agree that Groundswell is one of the best publications available to our industry. With a push for a national magazine imminent, it seems foolish for us not to get a foothold in the market, and establish ourselves as not only the leading industry magazine in Victoria, but also Australia-wide. Secondly, opening up our publication to a national audience means the potential for advertising revenue from Groundswell is improved, thereby securing the financial future of the magazine. The September issue will be our first National edition of the magazine, and you may notice some slight changes from our usual layout, however rest assured we will continue to deliver content of the highest quality and relevance to our members. Finally, next month we will be once again be building a pop up garden for Park(ing) Day, with Melbourne City Council to be held on 20 September. This is a wonderful opportunity for industry to gain positive publicity, and I hope that everyone will support this exciting initiative.
Yours sincerely,
Cost: Free. Morning tea provided. To book to for more information, contact: Cathy Murrell Ph 03 5152 0632 I Email cathy.murrell@depi.vic.gov.au 04
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Euan Laird Chief Executive Officer NGIV
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s climate change and growing urban populations place increasing pressure on our cities, a team of researchers at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley Campus has been looking at innovative ways that urban vegetation can be part of a climate change adaptation strategy for Australian conditions. The Burnley Green Roofs project is a multifaceted study of green roof design and construction, aimed at identifying the many benefits of green roofs, explains senior lecturer John Rayner. The project, which includes a new research and demonstration facility at the Burnley campus, aims to quantify the environmental and social benefits of green roofs, while also demonstrating how beautiful and functional green roofs can be. ‘The team has been investigating a variety of different aspects of green roof design, including the effects of growing media and plant selection, as well as the social impact of green roofs on health and wellbeing,’ said John. To date, the group has tested more than 50 substrates and almost 80 Australian and exotic plant species under controlled and experimental conditions to identify the best combinations for optimal outcomes. ‘Some of the more successful species have been succulents, but we’ve also identified some Australian species, many deriving from ecosystems with naturally occurring shallow soils that mimic green roof conditions. Our results show that many of these plants are not only very drought tolerant, but are more effective at mitigating stormwater than succulent plants,’ he said. While the research team is at the leading edge of green roof research in Australia, John believes there is still a lot more to be learnt. ‘On the international stage, the Australian green roof sector is very small. The industry is growing massively in places like China and Europe, partly due to legislation that requires new developments to include green
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infrastructure, but also because of the critical need worldwide to increase the amount of urban greening,’ he said. Green infrastructure technology has also grown significantly in North America, with cities such as Toronto and Vancouver turning to green roofs to help mitigate the effects of stormwater runoff during high seasonal rainfall events. ‘The driving forces behind the growth of green infrastructure world-wide are many. They can be environmental, economic, aesthetic and social…it really depends where you are. But one of the common features of these leading cities is the willingness of governments to introduce good planning policy. We’re not seeing the same level of adoption in Australia just yet, but I think that local government will move towards making it easier for people to build green roofs, especially as there is so much interest out there.’ John also points to incentive programs as a strong motivator for change, and would like to see more incentives for new buildings in Australia. ‘Incentive programs have shown to be important contributors to the uptake of green infrastructure. In some places, developers are given additional building rights in exchange for building a green roof. So, if you add green infrastructure to your apartment block, you might get planning permission to build an extra storey,’ he said. ‘We have a whole range of energy efficiency grant schemes out there, but most of them are about shading buildings, or putting in triple glazing. I’d like to see more incentives for getting vegetation on those buildings. This is where the nursery industry can play a role, and become more vocal about the need for green infrastructure initiatives within our urban environment.’
Growing Green – a practical guide One of the major outcomes of the Burnley Green Roofs research is the development of the ‘Growing Green Guide for Melbourne’. The guide will include a set of industry guidelines for developing green roofs and walls across Melbourne and is being led by the City of Melbourne, in conjunction with other inner Melbourne councils and the University. ‘The guidelines have been developed specifically for use by developers, architects, engineers, landscape architects and horticulturists,’ said John. The guide will be presented as a web-based resource, offering both planning and technical advice. ‘The first half of the project is to create a policy and planning guide. We’re hoping that it will help planning officers better understand what is involved in building a green roof. Councils typically get quite frightened of these kinds of projects, and as a consequence often don’t approve applications. ‘I think part of our role as researchers is to communicate to the decision-makers that this stuff is not threatening, and here is a practical guide for how to do it.’
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An outdoor dining room in a garden in Tuscany by Paolo Pejrone. Photo courtesy Clive Nichols from Mediterranean Landscape Design (Thames & Hudson)
GS PROFILE
R&D the key to
vertical success For 11 years, Fytogreen has invested in a rigorous program of research and development, making it one of the country’s leading vertical garden suppliers. Words by Youna Angevin-Castro.
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he Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, are possibly the oldest documented example of vertical gardening. Believed to have been built around 600 BC, the gardens were renowned for bringing beauty and greenery to the dry, arid landscape that surrounded them. Much like the hanging gardens, contemporary green walls and vertical gardens are addressing the need for bringing greenery back to our urban environments. Since 2002, Australian company Fytogreen has invested in a rigorous program of research and development into green wall systems, making it one of the leading suppliers of vertical gardens in the country. According to Sales Manager Stuart Tyler, this research has led to the development of a sophisticated design and construct vertical garden system, comprised of foam modules into which vegetation is planted. ‘Plants are grown into the foam, which means the roots of the plant are anchored into the system ensuring that they cannot fall out of the wall. We pre-grow the plants into one metre wide panels in our shade house, which are then installed onto
stainless steel hooks attached to the host wall. The panels are then connected to a computerised, remote controlled hydroponic system for watering and monitoring.’ To date, Fytogreen has completed almost 70 commercial-scale projects across Australia, including high profile designs for organisations such as Telstra, NAB and Medibank. Stuart works closely with the architects, designers and developers on each project to ensure that the vertical garden works seamlessly with the design of the building. ‘We differentiate ourselves from other companies in that we ensure that our gardens are designed to be ecologically sustainable. We do a lot of research on the host wall during the design stage to ensure that we select the right plants for the build. There’s no point designing a beautiful green wall, if the plants are going to be dead in one or two years.’ According to Stuart, Fytogreen remains at the leading edge of design and technology by undertaking regular trials of new plant species for their projects.
ABOVE: Fytogreen’s MIFGS prizewinner, a globe made of Parsley for land areas and seaside daisy for the ocean areas. LEFT: Triptych, installed in September 2010 and covering 206m2 of a carpark facades with 350mm gaps left between the growing modules for air flow.
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GS PROFILE
R&D the key to
vertical success continued…
As featured on
‘The Block’ Anyone who has tuned into Channel Nine’s The Block – Sky High last month would have noticed a number of vertical gardens featured both inside and outside the building. ‘One of the main reasons we chose to get involved in The Block was to build exposure for our new Florafelt Green Wall product, designed for the DIY residential market,’ explains Fytogreen’s Sales Manager Stuart Tyler. The Florafelt wall made a splash when it was revealed in Kim and Matt’s winning indoor terrace design. Fytogreen has also been involved in the outdoor transformation of the building, bringing a lush façade to the block with its tried and true vertical wall system.
The Medical Imaging reception at Olympic Park.
‘We look at how plants anchor their roots into the system to find the most suitable plants for the environment that we’re installing into. It would probably seem logical to select plants that naturally grow on vertical faces, but the walls of buildings don’t necessarily replicate the natural environment. The side of a building can be quite a harsh environment, with exposure to the sun and the elements, so those plants may not survive those conditions. Often, we actually select plants that don’t naturally grow on a vertical face.’ In selecting plants, Stuart says that important considerations include how the foliage is connected to the roots, how the plant deals with being grown vertically, and also how it competes with neighbouring plants.
The Block 2 contestants, Matt & Kim, had a Florafelt greenwall system. The outside vertical garden shows the Fytogreen vertical garden system. There are 25 of these totalling 110m2 located on all 4 facades of the building.
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‘When designing an array of species for a wall, we not only consider the aesthetic qualities of the plant, but also the overall ecology of the wall. Some species may be aesthetically matched, but are aggressive competitors when grown side by side. To ensure the long-term aesthetic of
the wall, we need to understand how that will evolve as the wall grows over time,’ he said. Stuart believes that one of the main drivers for installing vertical gardens, green facades and roof gardens – particularly in the commercial world – is the desire to improve the workspace environment. ‘Companies are now recognising that people are one of the major assets of their business. If their staff are happier to work there because their environment is more pleasant, from both an environmental and social perspective, then many companies see it as an investment in holding on to their staff for longer,’ Stuart said. ‘From a residential perspective, many developers are dealing with limited space, so they’re looking for ways to introduce vegetation into an area, and provide a point of difference in the marketplace by making vertical gardens a main feature of the development.’
For more information about the Fytogreen vertical garden system, visit www.fytogreen.com.au
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BRIDGING THE
GREEN GAP Published earlier this year, the 2013 Husqvarna Global Green Space Report has uncovered an imbalance between our desire for green space, and our ability to access it.
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n late 2012, the Husqvarna Group – the world’s largest manufacturer of outdoor products – undertook a global survey of 4,500 people in Sweden, China, Russia, USA, Germany, Canada, Australia, Poland and France to explore people’s relationship to and interaction with forests, parks and gardens. Published earlier this year as the Global Green Space Report 2013, the report has discovered that one in three people are dissatisfied with the amount of time they spend in green spaces, and 50 percent think that schools should take responsibility for this by scheduling green time for children.
Despite this, the study found that the amount of time that people spend in green spaces is decreasing. In total, five out of the nine countries in the study show that the time spent in forests and parks has decreased compared with five years ago. The study found that as many as 40 percent of participants only visit parks only once every three months, with even less time spent in forests.
What people want
As would be expected, parents of young children are more likely to spend time in forests and parks than any other group, regardless of country. Despite this, 65 percent of all parents believe that today’s children spend less time in green spaces than they did when they were young. Many people felt that ‘we live in a world where the distractions that compete for our kids’ attention are numerous and highly effective.’ However, according to the study, only 48 percent of the parents have taken their children to a forest once or more in the past three months.
A common theme across respondents in the survey – irrespective of their country of residence – was the belief that green spaces have the ability to influence happiness, wellbeing and overall quality of life. 91 percent of all respondents in the study believe that forests, parks and gardens have a positive effect on our quality of life, contributing more to our wellbeing than our jobs, sex lives, money or religion.
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Generational gap – Children experiencing less time in green
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what’s new from
Yates Lawn Master Rapid Greening Lawn Food Yates Lawn Master Rapid Greening Lawn Food is a premium, fast acting, liquid hose on fertiliser that will green up the lawn in a matter of days. Lawn Master Rapid Greening Lawn Food contains a high proportion of leaf-promoting nitrogen, a good level of health-boosting potassium and a small ratio of phosphorus – enough to help the grass grow strongly but not so much that it causes phosphate-rich run off. Added iron helps to give the leaves that desirable deep green colouring.
This “generation gap” is also apparent in relation to park visits. A majority (76 percent) of all respondents in the study think that children today should spend more time in green spaces.
Green status An interesting outcome of the study was the level of status associated with professions associated with green spaces. When asked which profession they would choose if they could ‘start over’, most people (21 percent) chose the profession of landscape architect/ designer over becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer.
Prioritising green space With 89 percent of people considering access to green space as a basic human right, the fact that we are spending less time within parks, gardens and forests is somewhat baffling. When asked how to solve the green gap, responses were varied. 68% of people in Poland, for example, believed that the best way is by scheduling green time in school, while in France, respondents believed that politicians have the best ability to increase time in forests and nature. In the USA it is thought that commitment by private individuals is the best way to increase access to nature.
Re-connecting with green A key finding from the report is that green feeds green; the more contact people have with green spaces, the more they seek. However, the study also proposes that a reverse spiral may also occur – the more time people stay away from green spaces, the less likely they are to seek them out and take advantage of them. That said, the study reaffirmed that respondents feared a growing alienation from the natural world as humanity becomes predominantly urban, technological and sedentary. All generations surveys expressed a desire to ‘get their hands dirty’ and be more involved in public green spaces, how they looked and how they are maintained. Generally, the study clearly shows that there is a great desire in all countries to contribute individual time, knowledge and money to help maintain public green spaces. The greatest desire comes, once again, from the parents of young children, where 62 percent are willing to offer their time, 39 percent are willing to offer their knowledge and 35 percent would be willing to give money in order to create a greener environment.
Most lawn owners want fast results from a lawn food. They don’t want to have to spread dusty, staining granular lawn fertilisers that need to be watered in immediately in order to prevent grass burn. And, most of all, they want something that’s easy to apply. Yates Lawn Master Rapid Greening Lawn Food has:
A high level of nitrogen. Added potassium to promote healthy, strong grass and improve resistance to wear and disease.
An easy to use, hose on pack. Simply connect garden hose and spray. There’s no dust, no hand spreading and no watering in.
A concentrated formula – 500ml treats 75m2.
Yates Lawn Master Rapid Greening Lawn Food is ideal to use on any type of lawn, including buffalo.
For more information contact Judy Horton via email judy.horton@yates.com.au or phone (02) 9794 9481
www.yates.com.au GROUNDSWELL
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National Industry Awards build momentum The 2014 Nursery & Garden Industry Awards program provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise excellence in business, products and services within our industry. Coordinated by Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA), the awards include some exciting new categories, as well as some old favourites
Award Categories Best Specialty Garden Centre
Best Small Production Nursery
The ‘Specialty’ category is open to greenlife retailers who operate within a niche market focusing primarily on the sale of greenlife and allied product. Generally smaller operations, entrants in this category need to demonstrate their expertise in their speciality area. Judges will also assess the standard of business practices within the operation.
Open to all production nursery businesses with an average annual full time equivalent staff of 15 or fewer employees. Judges will assess the standard of business practices within the operation and in particular the dynamics of the growing environment and any unique practices that contribute to the availability and marketability of quality greenlife.
Best Lifestyle Garden Centre
Best Large Production Nursery
Open to operations who have enhanced the retail greenlife experience with the inclusion of departments such as giftware or hardware within their product offering. In addition to assessing the standard of business practices, Judges will consider how those other departments demonstrate to customers the benefits and value of greenlife.
The Large Production category will also be judged on the standard of business practices within the operation, and in particular the dynamics of the growing environment and any unique practices that contribute to the availability and marketability of quality greenlife. This category is open to all production nursery businesses with an average annual full time equivalent staff of over 16 employees.
Best Group Garden Centre Open to operations where the corporate identity is managed and operated by a head office or a licencing fee is paid by an independent owner to access a brand such as a buying group or franchise. Submissions must be site specific. Judges will consider the operation’s points of difference and how those differences extend greenlife into the local community. Judges will also consider the operational practices in relation to greenlife.
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Best Propagation Nursery Open to producers of plugs and tube stock that are sold to production nurseries for a value add (potting). Judges will assess the standard of business practices within the operation and techniques adopted to ensure the future vitality of the young plant products and marketability of their stock.
Best Government Nursery Open to all publicly funded nurseries. Nursery stock may be sold for profit or may be invested into the local community. Judges will assess the standard of business practices within the operation and in particular to the dynamics of the growing environment and any unique practices that contribute to the availability of quality greenlife. Entrants in this category will also be required to demonstrate how their product helps the plant/life balance of their local community.
Best Growing Media Supplier Open to all growing media manufacturers and suppliers in the Australian nursery and garden industry, this award recognises the importance of outstanding media manufacturers and suppliers in the sustained performance of greenlife. Judges will assess the standard of business practices within the operation and in particular to the dynamics of the media mix environment and any unique practices that contribute to the availability of superior mixes for the production and consumer markets.
Allied Product of the Year Recognises the need for allied products in various stages of greenlife production and in the ongoing progression, protection and nutrition of greenlife. Open to all Allied Operators in the Australian nursery and garden industry, entries are ‘product specific’ and judges will consider how the allied product contributes to the ongoing support and performance of greenlife. Products will be considered having regard to the unique attributes for which the product is intended.
Plant of the Year Open to plant breeders or introducers of foreign bred stock, the ‘Plant of the Year’ category recognises the achievement of a noninvasive plant species released within 24 months immediately preceding the close of entries, across multiple performance criteria. Judges will consider suitability in a range of climatic conditions, resistance to pest and disease, seasonal availability, marketability and the unique attributes for which the plant is intended.
Heather Rumsey Young Leader Award The Young Leader Award seeks to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of individuals in the Australian nursery and garden industry, who display exceptional commitment and passion towards their business, the industry and industry leadership potential. It is open to all industry employees and employers 35 years of age and under at the close of entries. Past state winners are welcome to re-enter but past national winners are not eligible.
Greenlife Infrastructure Award Open to all Urban Planners, Local Councils, Architects, Developers or similar operations and recognises their contribution to promoting a thriving, sustainable and diverse Australian Urban Forest. Judges will consider the unique attributes for which each project is intended and in particular, how it contributes to a healthy ecosystem that is valued and cared for by all Australians. Judges will also assess how the greenlife specified in the project has evolved into an environmental, economic, and community asset.
Industry Innovation Award The Innovation Award recognises the person or team of people behind the development of a new product, service or activity that has significantly contributed to improvement within the Australian nursery and garden industry in the 24months immediately preceding the close of entries. Judges will consider products, processes, services, technologies, ideas or activity resulting in a commercial, environmental and/or social benefit that has enhanced the value and quality of greenlife.
Entries close 12 August 2013 State winners will be announced at the NGIV Awards & Gala Dinner on 22 November 2013. National winners will be announced at the NGIA National Conference in March next year. For more information about how to enter the awards, visit www. ngiaevents.com.au/awards2014/ GROUNDSWELL
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RETAIL UPDATE
Two retail beauties down Gippsland way
During the sunny part of June, NGIV’s Alan Hollensen visited two nurseries in Gippsland – Town Centre Nursery in Mirboo North and Rowe’s Nursery on the outskirts of Warragul. Both well established businesses, the owners of both have followed rather unconventional paths into the industry, and provide different perspectives to marketing their businesses.
ROWE’S NURSERY Like Karen and Gino, Steve Rowe is a regular at Trade Day and regards it as vital for his business. Not so much for the amount of stock he collects, but more for the orders he picks up and to see what’s going on with his suppliers.
TOWN CENTRE NURSERY Karen Haw from Town Centre Nursery worked as a midwife before swapping over into a less stressful job running a retail nursery in what is, by any standard, a small town. But prior to opening the business she was already a regular at Trade Day buying plants to supply local supermarkets. It was husband Gino who convinced her they needed a physical site and they took over an excellent spot in the main street. Not content with that, the enterprising couple then bought an existing sand and soil yard on the outskirts of town, and now they run these businesses in tandem. Karen is a strong believer in the old rule that if you don’t have it, you can’t sell it and the nursery, which is actually pretty big, is crammed with plants and stock. I was there as she was sorting bare-rooted trees and it’s good to see how strong this tradition remains in the country, particularly with fruit trees. The sand and soil yard is an impressive second string to their bow and again carries a lot of stock that can’t be accommodated in the nursery. Between them they have the needs of their local customer base well covered. Broader appeal is managed by being members of Plants Australia and the catalogues which they use as an insert in the local paper works to cast a wider net and broaden the customer base. 16
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Steve worked for the old SEC – for those of us who remember it – but his interest in plants saw him take some courses at Burnley. His first foray into the industry wasn’t as a retailer at all, but as a grower. In fact his interest in growing stock has never left him and this remains a feature of his business where he grows a high proportion of the stock he carries. This protects his margins and while it makes good business sense it also allows Steve to indulge in one of his passions – growing plants. Typically using plugs from Ball, Steve and his small staff set out their stock at either end of the nursery in plain sight for their customers who sometimes will wander in and collect some of these obviously smaller plants. They love it – the feeling of being able to see the actual process in action. This isn’t a large business, just a good one. Profitable, well run and managed with a keen eye on margins Steve and his team are catering for their market in what is on the face of it an old business model, one we don’t see much of these days. But it works well and reminds us of an earlier time when customer and retailer both stood much closer to their product than is sometimes the case today.
Why gardening is good for you Jane Edmanson reflects on the health and wellbeing benefits of one of Australia’s favourite past-times.
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e all should be pushing the idea that gardening is good for you. In so many ways people all around the country are introduced to gardening and find it’s a reward that becomes such an important part of their lives. It might be about improving physical health and emotional wellbeing, relieving stress, enjoying the calming effect of the garden, inspiring creativity, or just enjoying the rewards of growing something edible. Over my long time with ABC Gardening Australia and radio 3AW I have had the pleasure of coming in contact with so many people who say just that – gardening is good for them and they could not do without it.
Melbourne. I visited the special unit for intellectually disabled prisoners some three years ago when it was all concrete and barbed wire. Now due to the hard work of Disability Unit Coordinator, Michelle Enbom, this unit has been transformed with roses at the entrance, a huge vegetable garden, hot houses for potting and propagating. It has proven to be a garden where the prisoners can undertake physical tasks, develop their concentration and reap the rewards of growing vegetables. It may be the first time they have ever had
responsibility for nurturing and maintaining plants, indeed anything living. Another story has been about a lady who has bi-polar disorder and it is in her garden that she can feel at ease and creative producing vegetables en masse for her family. I feel privileged that she let me into her world and to share her garden. I am sure many of you will know of good stories that people tell you why gardening is good for them. If you hear any beauties let me know.
Steven Wells, the award-winning Gardener of the Year 2012 for Gardening Australia Magazine is a trained nurse and horticulturist at Royal Talbot Hospital part of the Austin Hospital where they fully support his work in creating therapeutic gardens. One such is the garden designed for clients, staff and visitors of Acquired Brain Injury Unit with a lovely mix of plants that includes fragrance, herbs, vegetables in pots which people are encouraged to touch and eat. There are places to sit and a reflective garden plus a propagating area. Clients are encouraged to come out into the fresh air to undertake an activity or just sit and “smell the roses”. Steven’s creativity has been admired by many people, including a visit by the Tree and Shrub Growers and has been an inspiration to hospitals, therapy units and aged care facilities. One unusual place where a garden has shown to have excellent results is in Port Phillip Prison, in the western suburbs of
Australia
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BUSINESS NEWS
Breaking bad:
How to deal with workplace bullying
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he tragic suicide of Brodie Panlock, a young woman who was subjected to relentless workplace bullying, is a sobering reminder of how serious bullying can have disastrous consequences. As a result of Brodie’s death, anti-bullying legislation known as ‘Brodie’s Law’ was introduced into Victoria, making serious bullying a crime punishable by up to ten years in jail. According to WorkSafe Victoria, workplace bullying is characterised by persistent and repeated negative behaviour directed at an employee that creates a risk to health and safety. It is estimated that workplace bullying costs Australian businesses in the order of $10 billion per year as a result of absenteeism, staff turnover and compensation claims, and can have a significant impact on workplace productivity. So how can you, as an employer, protect your employees from bullying behaviours in the first place? One of the key signs that bullying may be occurring in your workplace is the sudden withdrawal of a once enthusiastic and motivated employee, says organisational psychologist Dr Louise Metcalf. ‘If someone who was once an asset and a pleasure to work with suddenly starts having lots of sick days and withdrawing their input at work, it's a sign that they are pulling back. As an employer, you need to look out for reasons why they may have changed.’ 18
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Unfortunately workplace bullies can be surprisingly hard to spot. However, if you suspect that bullying may be occurring in your workplace, you have an obligation to address it. ‘In some cases, bullying occurs simply because a person doesn’t know any better. In these cases, you may be able to transform their behaviour and show them a better way of managing workplace relationships. However, if the behaviour is entrenched, you need to address it directly, and that may mean removing the bully,’ said Dr Metcalf. Dr Metcalf encourages employers to promote a positive workplace culture where employees are reminded that bullying behaviours will not be tolerated. ‘One approach is to get staff together and brainstorm the attributes of “a positive workplace culture”. Ask your staff to come up with descriptions of how they feel people should work together, phrase it positively, write it up on a wall, and keep it there for all to see. This is a way of reminding your staff that “this is how things are done in our organisation”.’ Yvonne Walker of HR With Ease encourages employers to develop some formal documentation around respectful behaviours in the workplace. ‘This might be a separate policy, it might be contained in the contract of employment, or part of a general Code
Workplace bullying can happen anywhere, but as an employer you have a responsibility to protect your employees from harm at work. Youna AngevinCastro finds what you can do to keep the bullies at bay.
of Conduct…the key is to communicate it clearly to employees.’ Ms Walker also encourages employers to model respectful behaviours in the workplace, and to immediately deal with any behaviours that they observe that could be considered bullying. ‘This should include any behaviours that are intimidating, humiliating, offensive, threatening, aggressive or exclusionary. Keep in mind that behaviours such as malicious gossip can also be examples of bullying, and a failure to deal with these behaviours means that you are condoning it, and making it acceptable.
What types of bullying does Brodie’s Law cover? Brodie’s Law applies to all forms of serious bullying, including physical bullying, psychological bullying, verbal bullying and cyberbullying. Bullying is often characterised by behaviours such as threatening or abusive words or conduct. Serious bullying may also include conduct or behaviour that is intended to cause the victim to engage in suicidal thoughts or thoughts or actions that involve self-harm. Source: Department of Justice, Victoria
BUSINESS NEWS
Are you adequately insured? Business insurance can seem like an onerous expense for small businesses, especially during lean times. We speak to James Walker of OAMPS to find out why insurance is one thing you shouldn’t scrimp on.
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rotecting your business from the unexpected is critical to ensuring that your livelihood isn’t impacted by the actions of others, or Mother Nature. However insurance can be expensive, and during hard times, business owners can be tempted to keep their costs down by scaling back their coverage. However cutting back on insurance can leave businesses out of pocket, warns James Walker of OAMPS Insurance Brokers. ‘A business should not reduce its cover in tough financial times – this is possibly when you would need the best cover available. In the event of a claim during tough times, if the cover has been limited or dropped completely a business which is already running on very thin margins could take its final hit.’
‘This is why it is crucial for a business to fully insure the value of the property’, James said.
the business and point out how a business can ensure adequate insurance coverage for their needs.’
He suggests that business owners should shop around for the best insurance for their needs.
Looking for more information? NGIV is running an industry workshop called Superannuation & Insurance to be held on 8 August 2013. Speakers include Charles Stewart, Senior Insurance Broker OAMPS and Lachlan Baird, CEO Prime Super. For more information contact the NGIV office on 03 9576 0599 or ngiv@ngiv.com.au
‘It’s important that the business owner is being offered the correct product with benefits suitable to their business. A broker that knows the industry will be able to provide such a service. Apart from just providing a quote, the broker should be able to provide recommendations to
According to James, under-insurance is a common problem. ‘It is a condition of cover that a business must insure at least 80 per cent of the value of Building, Contents and Stock. If this figure is not met, and a claim is made, the insurer will impose the underinsurance clause.’ To determine an insurance pay-out, the insurer uses the following formula:
Coverage Carried/Coverage Required x Amount of Loss For example, if you wanted to insure a building valued at $200,000, it should be insured for a minimum of $160,000 (80 per cent of the value). However, if the sum insured were only $144,000, and the business incurred a loss of $100,000, the insurer would only pay $90,000, minus any excess. The business would subsequently be out of pocket by at least $10,000.
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PRODUCTION
Smart mark recognises water savings Businesses that have adopted the Farm Management System, including NIASA, EcoHort and BioSecure can now add another level of validation to their cap; the NIASA scheme has been approved to use the Smart Approved Watermark. Words by David Reid.
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mart Approved WaterMark is Australia’s water saving label for products and services helping to reduce water use and can now be used by those businesses currently displaying the NIASA label.
The Smart Approved WaterMark is a voluntary, not-for-profit program that allows consumers to make an informed choice towards engaging with businesses or products that address outdoor water efficiencies. These businesses are identified by the use of the distinctive Smart Approved Watermark logo. The Smart Approved WaterMark scheme is supported by both government and industry and is managed by a steering committee comprising Australia's peak bodies of the urban water industry and leading authorities on outdoor water use, which includes the Water Services Association of Australia (WSSA), the Irrigation Association of Australia (IAA), the Nursery and Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) and the Australian Water Association (AWA).
The scheme operates with a funding grant from Water Smart Australia through the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and is the sister scheme to the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme, which may be found on washing machines and dishwashers in the form of a star-rating. To gain the Smart Approved WaterMark label, the NGIA had the independent panel from the Smart WaterMark scheme assess and approve the Farm Management System and NIASA. Not only do they assess industry accreditations, but also entire organisations and individual products. The panel currently meets on a quarterly basis to consider applications and comprises members with extensive experience in the nursery/horticultural industry, irrigation/landscape industry, plumbing industry, related education industry and other water industry sectors. Fundamentally, any application’s schemes are assessed by the independent panel, to identify if the product or service is:
›› directly related to reducing actual water use and/or using water more efficiently;
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PRODUCTION
A number of Victorian nursery businesses are already reaping the rewards of gaining NIASA accreditation and EcoHort certification. A few of these businesses are well on their way to becoming BioSecure.
›› consistent with supplied instructions and other documentation;
›› of high quality and meets industry standards, and customer and community expectations, in relation to water use: and
›› is environmentally sustainable, and despite claimed water savings will not adversely affect the environment in other areas. The Smart WaterMark’s acknowledgment of production nurseries addressing water management issues with the aid of the Farm Management System, targeted investment in water management technologies and staff training is another reason to consider adopting NIASA accreditation and EcoHort certification. With increasing customer awareness of their water usage, the addition of the Smart WaterMark logo to NIASA businesses offers a further marketing advantage. This supplementary, external review of the Farm Management System is a further validation that those businesses are actively minimising their water usage. Whether they are retailers or end-consumers, when buyers support businesses that display the Smart Approved Watermark logo, they can be confident that they are contributing to a reduction in per capita water consumption.
For more information about the Smart Watermark, contact: David Reid, Nursery Industry Development Officer Phone 03 9576 0599 Email david.reid@ngiv.com.au
NIASA-Accredited & EcoHort certified nurseries Ball Australia Biemond Nurseries Pty Ltd Clyde Plant Nursery Conifer Gardens Nursery The Diggers Club Dream-time Wholesale Nursery Evergreen Nursery Faceys Nursery Pty Ltd Greenhills Propagation Nursery Humphris Nursery Pty Ltd
Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery ParksWide - City of Whitehorse Proteaflora Nursery Royal Botanic Gardens - Cranbourne Scotsburn Nurseries TGA Australia Van Schaik’s Bio-Gro Pty Ltd Wardales Nurseries Warner’s Nurseries Pty Ltd
NIASA-Accredited nurseries Alameda Homestead Nursery All-Grow Wholesale Nursery Pty Ltd Bangalay Tubestock Binz Nursery Boomaroo Nurseries Brite Plants Carawah Nursery Chislett Developments Pty Ltd Combined Nursery Sales Coolwyn Nurseries Pty Ltd Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Din San Nursery & Trade Market Grandiflora Nurseries Pty Ltd Haar’s Nursery Hortwide Services Karinga Nursery Pty Ltd
Larkman Nurseries Pty Ltd Oasis Horticulture Pty Ltd – Cranbourne Orth’s Nursery Plant Growers Australia Plants Galore Post Office Farm Nursery Purtill’s Nursery Pty Ltd Royal Botanic Gardens - Melbourne Smith and Gordon Nursery Southern Advanced Plants Speciality Trees Sunshine Nurseries Swinburne University of Technology Tavistock Nursery Victorian Citrus Farms Pty Ltd Yalkuri Trees
NIASA-Accredited media suppliers Debco Pty Ltd Spotswood Holdings Pty Ltd
Van Schaik’s Bio-Gro Pty Ltd
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BIOSECURITY
Changes to Queensland Fruit Fly management in Victoria
Phytophthora ramorum host import changes
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he Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) will implement changes to Queensland fruit fly (QFF) management across Victoria as of 1 July, 2013.
Area freedom for QFF will cease across Victoria from this point onwards, with the exception of specifically designated QFF free areas (e.g. Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (PFA). Businesses located within the Greater Sunraysia PFA will not be impacted by these changes. Importantly, ICA-23 and Area or Property Freedom accreditations will no longer be valid (excluding Greater Sunraysia PFA). Businesses seeking to replace these accreditations will not incur an additional fee (up to the date of expiry). For those businesses that have their market access now restricted, DEPI is continuing to explore market access opportunities with industry and interstate authorities.
QFF host produce For plants that are consigned into QFF sensitive markets, the primary plants of concern will be those with fruits present (such as ornamental chillies and strawberries), or if sending into WA, with flowers present. The full list of QFF hosts can be found at: http://www.pestfreearea.com.au/host-list-of-banned-poduce.html
Consignments from VIC into QFF sensitive markets (including Greater Sunraysia PFA, SA, WA) Producers sending QFF host produce to QFF sensitive markets are advised to contact their local Plant Standards Officer on 136 186.
ew import conditions have been introduced for a number of host species of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) previously restricted entry into Australia. This change has been facilitated by the availability of improved testing for SOD. Species included in the changed import conditions are;
›› Acer ›› Betula ›› Cercis ›› Cornus ›› Distylium ›› Fraxinus ›› Liriodendron ›› Loropetalum ›› Physocarpus ›› Syringa ›› Ulmus Conditions of importation are:
›› Nursery stock materials are limited to un-rooted cuttings or budwood. Rooted plants and rooted cuttings are prohibited due to a higher risk of SOD infection.
›› Plant materials must be grown in a DAFF post
Consignments from VIC into non-QFF sensitive markets QFF host produce can be consigned from Victoria to non-QFF sensitive markets (i.e. New South Wales, Queensland and Northern Territory) without certification and treatment. For accreditation options, businesses are advised to visit their interstate certification assurance website http://domesticquarantine.org.au/ica-database, contact the DEPI or the NGIV office.
Movement of infested produce Under section 18 of the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 (the Act), it is an offence to sell QFF infested produce. Any business found operating contrary to the Act may be prosecuted. Penalties apply to businesses found not complying with legislative requirements including the return, treatment or destruction of produce at the owner’s expense.
Further information For further information, or to apply for ICA accreditation, please contact your local Plant Standards Officer – phone 136 186. 22
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entry quarantine facility or a State government operated post entry quarantine facility operating under a compliance agreement with DAFF, for a minimum of 2 years.
›› During growth in quarantine all plants must be tested and found negative for members of the Phytophthora complex and Phytophthora ramorum using PCR. The conditions also require the importer to arrange for the supply of Australian high health (e.g. virus tested) root stock for growth in post entry quarantine. More information can be found at the DAFF ICON website or contacting DAFF on 03 8318 6700.
TREE & SHRUB GROWERS
Tree & Shrub Growers Meeting Fleming’s Nurseries, Monbulk
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espite being advised to bring our gumboots, the weather gods were smiling on the Tree & Shrub Growers group on Tuesday 16th July as we flocked to Fleming’s Nurseries in Monbulk. Fresh off the back of a busy bare-root season, and of course THAT Chelsea win, Wes and wife Paige showed incredible hospitality to the group as we enjoyed a guided tour of the facilities. In usual form, Wes shared his thoughts about some of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, prompting some considered discussion amongst the group later in the evening.
NGIA CEO Robert Prince also unveiled an exciting new marketing campaign to be rolled out across industry over the coming months. The campaign is an exciting direction for industry, and we look forward to hearing more about it when it is launched later this year.
Moving on to Yarra Valley Estate for the evening meal, Wes shared a candid and insightful presentation into the hard work and effort that went into the award-winning ‘Best In Show’ display at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Suffice to say, the energy and commitment demonstrated by Wes, Phillip Johnson and the entire construction team was impressive.
The August get-together will be a three-day interstate bus tour to South Australia. Kicking off with a guided tour of Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery and Tissue Culture Australia, the tour will take in a number of interesting locations along the way to South Australia. Places are limited, so if you would like to join the tour, contact the NGIV office ASAP to secure your place.
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NGIV
PARTNERS PROGRAM PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
For details of membership fees and benefits, please feel free to contact any of the NGIV staff either at their stand at Trade Day or by contacting the office at 03 9576 0599 or ngiv@ngiv.com.au They’d be only too happy to speak to you.
REVEALED THIS MONTH
New Colour Cartwheel Strawberry Twist complements the Gerbera Series from Syngenta Flowers Strawberry Twist is a unique variety with spectacular bicolour patterns, previously only seen in cut flower types. They will add exciting, rich variation to displays and the new colour exhibits shades ranging from buttery yellows with a hint of pink to deep strawberry with a hint of yellow and anything in between. These vigorous plants are perfectly sized for 125mm pots or larger and provide a higher bloom count at first flush compared to costly vegetative varieties. The distinctive, large semi-double flowers are perfect for premium retail sales of patio-ready decorative pots. Look out for the outstanding Gerbera series from Syngenta Flowers including Cartwheel Autumn Colours, Cartwheel Glowing Embers, Cartwheel Chardonnay, Elephant and the entire Jaguar range with striking colours making up the best series on the market today.
Contact Highsun Express, Youngplants and JD Propagation for plug production.
Bayer’s Initiator Tablet Initiator® is a combination of the systemic insecticide, imidacloprid, with a controlled release fertiliser in a convenient, easy-to-handle tablet. It provides long-lasting protection against various damaging insects in eucalypt seedlings and encourages more reliable and stronger growth. It is designed to either be placed in the planting hole during transplanting of seedlings, so that the growing plant can take up the fertiliser and insecticide, or alternatively, to be placed in the soil adjacent to existing plants. Recommended areas of use for Initiator include: nurseries, domestic gardens and residential complexes, golf courses, airports, cemeteries, parks, sports facilities and other landscaped areas. Initiator is registered for use in eucalypts, lillypillies, roses, azaleas, magnolias and palms and is available in an economical 300 tablet pack. With the benefits of improved establishment rates, faster growth and long-term protection against damaging insects, Initiator is a perfect tool for use during landscape plantings.
Fiskars reinvents the experience of digging & weeding The simple pleasures of digging, weeding and cultivating are often overshadowed by the risk of back pain. While a day’s work in the garden is great exercise, pain should not be part of the package. Fiskars range of ergonomic telescopic tools include two spades and a fork that allow you to adjust the shaft length for an optimal match to your height. Fiskars Telescopic range of digging tools all feature shafts extendable with a simple turn of the signature orange lever placed inside the comfortable D shaped handle. The heads are all made of boron steel, which enables robust performance even when working in stony or hard ground and cutting through thick grass substrates. The digging angle ensures that the body is at the perfect angle to reduce strain. As you dig a deeper hole, the spades can be extended as you progress to eliminate stooping, thus allowing you to dig longer without straining your back. And they are great gifts for Father’s Day.
Fiskars Australia T: (03) 8645 2400
Initiator is available for purchase through Garden City Plastics. Call 1300 695 098 or visit online at www.gardencityplastics.com.au GROUNDSWELL
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Help needed: Warner’s Nurseries celebrates
New CHARGES FOR THOSE BUSINEsSES
100 years!!
EXPORTING INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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ictorian businesses consigning product into Western Australia will be aware of the $56 per 15 minutes (minimum charge per consignment) inspection charges that their commercial product is met with upon crossing into WA. These charges have now been introduced for those businesses that consign items for ‘purposes other than commercial purposes’, or for the general householder.
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arner’s Nurseries have been operating as a business for nearly 100 years and have employed a professional historian to research and write a centenary book on its behalf. The business is now well into its fourth generation and the family is keen to hear from anyone who may have some stories to share of their involvement with Warner’s. This may be what Warner’s has meant for your business, their contribution to the Industry, some anecdotes about the many characters that operated or worked in the business. You may have some precious Warner’s catalogues or advertising material, or dockets of some kind that have survived over the years. Perhaps you, or a family member worked for Warner’s “back in the day”, maybe you have some photos of those times? No story, photograph, news clipping, or piece of memorabilia is too insignificant. If you have any memories or memorabilia you would like to share please contact John Warner on: Mobile 0409 383250 I Email john@warners.com.au
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The impact of Western Australia’s new Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Regulations 2013 is that householders are now not differentiated from commercial importers and as such are not exempt from inspection fees. Unfortunately if your business consigns a product such as seeds to householders, the consignee will now be invoiced for a minimum of $56 for an inspection, no matter how small a quantity of seed is consigned. There is an option to enter into a charging arrangement with Quarantine WA that will allow your company to accept inspection charges on behalf of your clients where individual consignments received at the same premises on the same days would be treated as one consignment and charges will be applied accordingly. For further information on fees and charges please contact Lloyd Mason (Manager Quarantine Import Clearance) on 08 9334 1800. If you wish to have a special charging arrangement to be put in place, please contact Denise Dawe on 08 9334 1801 or email denise.dawe@agric.wa.gov.au.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Grow Master Traralgon – New showroom building is underway.
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any will recall the dreadful fire that engulfed the showrooms of the Grow Master Traralgon nursery in December last year. Jammed with stock for Christmas the building went up in flames so quickly the staff barely had time to make good their escape – that they all managed to exit the premises is something everyone is still very grateful for. After considerable thought and planning, building of the new, and much larger, showroom has commenced and with luck it will be open in time for Spring trading. Owners Craig and Debbie Goodman are looking forward to the end of what one staff member calls ‘camping’, but in fact they have made a remarkably good fist of these difficult circumstances and the nursery in its entirety is impressive. The new facility will be much larger than the building that burnt down in such dramatic circumstances, and has generated new options for the owners in the way they manage traffic though the nursery. Everyone is excited by the prospect of a new showroom and the possibilities it will bring to one of Victoria’s best nurseries.
Greening childcare spaces project Call for expressions of interest
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e are looking for a horticultural and/or landscaping professional who would be interested in working on a project called Greening Childcare Spaces. This is a project being carried out by postgraduate researchers from the School of Education at Deakin University, with support from the Nursery & Garden Industry Australia (NGIA) through a student research linkage project.
It is based on research showing the importance for young children of having contact with the natural world, and the benefits for children of having access to green environments. This is a trial project, exploring the benefits of ‘greening’ a small outdoor play space for babies and toddlers, within a childcare centre in the Springvale area, run by Mission Australia. The consultation and ‘greening’ parts of the project are planned for August and September, and a small amount of funding is available as part of the project, for horticultural and landscaping materials and work. A larger follow-up project is planned for 2014, with the ultimate goal of developing specialist expertise in greening childcare spaces for both early childhood and horticultural and landscaping professionals. If you are someone who can work in collaboration with others, and are interested in working in a new area and developing expertise in working in childcare spaces, please contact Dr Anne-Marie Morrissey, School of Education, Deakin University on 98900793 or email morram@deakin.edu.au GROUNDSWELL
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TRADE DAY MARKET
The Big Chill hits Caribbean Gardens Despite the cold start to the day, buyers braved the chilly weather to attend the seventh trade day of the year held at Caribbean Gardens on 2nd July.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS A number of regular buyers were out in force at this month’s trade day, many of whom have supported the market for many years. For close to three decades, Andrew Hutchinson of Plants Plus in Naracoorte has been travelling across from South Australia each and every month – this must be some sort of a record! Andrew took the opportunity to buy several loads on the day, including some delightful potted colour from Boomaroo. Wendy and Greg Bell of Blooms on Brice are also long-standing regular buyers of 18 years. This month they were enticed by the colourful range of garden decor and novelty lines on the Alfresco stand, manned by the always cheerful Julia Longmuir, who was more than happy to assist her customers. Despite the early start, the school holidays attracted a number of young helpers. With a trolley full of colourful plants, 6 year old Mikayla and her 10 year old brother Liam were working on the Detail Retail stand, along with parents Rachel & Phillip Roper. A full revamp of the Detail Retail website is currently in progress – check out www.detailretail.com.au over the coming weeks.
Another regular, landscaper Tim Durham of Eynesbury Wholesale Nursery has been attending Trade Day for the past 8 or 9 years. Tim particularly enjoys the interaction with growers, watching new concepts and ideas and the current trends of the industry at market – and the fact that they are all in one nucleus and a very accessible location.
NEW MEMBER Enjoying his second visit as a standholder, George of Pots Center in Fawkner was super keen and was the first to arrive at Caribbean Gardens, setting up his display of ceramic garden ware for the day. With plans for a permanent stand in future, much of George’s stock was quickly snapped up by buyers in July. .
NEXT MONTH August Trade Day will be our next Awards day – a chance for buyers to recognise customer service & presentation by standholders. Nomination forms will be available on the day.
THE COFFEE CART WAS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
SILVER PARTNER, NATIONWIDE TREES Silver Industry Partners Nationwide Trees were Coffee Cart Sponsor of the month, keeping buyers and traders warm with hot drinks through the morning. July proved a busy market for Nationwide, continuing from a busy start to winter last month with strong demand for bare rooted stock. Plenty of orders received pre market, and very good sales off the stand on the day ensured a busy day for all.
Glenn Fenton and Brad Frost of Nationwide Trees
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Images opposite page: 1. Andrew Hutchinson of Plants Plus, Naracoorte. 2. Margie Quinlan, Ann Robson & Donna Smith, landscapers from Eco-Quto in Ballarat. 3. New trade day member George of Pots Center. 4. Wendy and Greg Bell of Blooms On Brice with Julia Longmuir of Alfresco. 5. Mikayla and Liam at the Detail Retail stand. 6. Tim Durham of Eynesbury Wholesale Nursery.
TRADE DAY MARKET
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New project for
Bill Molyneux
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hen Bill Molyneux and Sue Forrester sold Austraflora to Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery, following forty years of breeding and marketing a wide range of Australian plants, many in the industry assumed they would be retiring. Far from it – and after a handover period with Mansfield’s, they are steadily pursuing other lifetime interests.
For Sue it’s a concentration on animal welfare, wildlife rescue, and environmental issues worldwide. While Bill is also involved with these activities, he concentrates his expertise in consultancy on wetland development, the creation of sustainable wildlife habitat, and environmental restoration & revegetation of degraded landscapes.
landscapes for clients, and showcases ‘Wombat Bend’, the property he and Sue own in the Yarra Valley, 60 km north east of Melbourne. ‘Wombat Bend’ demonstrates all the elements of a sustainable, ecologically balanced landscape that are the hallmark of Bill’s work and philosophies, and which he imparts to clients in designing and developing their properties.
‘Wombat Bend’ and other examples of his work may be Naturally ~ By Design viewed on www.naturallybydesign.com.au website presents a number of Bill’s projects and Email bill@naturallybydesign.com.au I Telephone 03 5965 2011
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BUSINESS DIRECTORY
‘Delivery Arranged Australia Wide’ Ph: 1800 672 794
Fax: 07 5472 8483
Email: sales@fernland.com.au Web: www.fernland.com.au
POSITIONS VACANT FULL TIME positions for qualified nurserypersons able to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, knowledge, work practices, productivity. Open gregarious personality. Spread of hours over 7 day cycle. Excellent opportunity for advancement to management level. Award Wages negotiated to considerable increases once contents of resume proven to be sound in practice.
Applications in writing to: greg@webbersgardencentre.com.au.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE CALL WENDY WILD MOBILE 0421 800 093
www.webbersgardencentre.com.au
PRICE UPDATE
Increased by $94.93 per tonne (4.84 cents per litre) Prices effective 1 August 2013 (inc Carbon Tax &GST) 30
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Applications for MIFGS 2014 exhibits now open Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Running from March 26 – 30th, the event attracts over 110,000 visitors, and receives substantial media coverage across TV, radio and the print media.
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eaturing over 500 exhibitors varying from landscape design and construction companies, to florists and flower growers, nurseries and garden product retailers, the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show offers something for everyone. The Show’s visitors attend the event to discover new trends and ideas in gardening and have a genuine interest and passion for the gardening products and services that our exhibitors offer. Benefits of exhibiting
›› Exhibiting at the event will provide your business with instant returns!
›› The event attracts targeted buyers that look forward to this Show each year
›› There is no other event with the proven track record and success of this Show (attracting over 110,000 visitors)
›› You will accelerate the buying process by gaining direct contact with a pre-qualified audience at the event
›› You will gain access to an extensive public relations and advertising campaign
›› As an exhibitor you will receive a free company listing in the event Official Show Program
›› You will raise your industry profile and add brand value ›› The event is an opportunity to launch new products and generate media interest All you need to do is maximise your public relations opportunities before, during and after the event! All members of the NGIV are entitled to a 10% discount on the per square metre space cost. For more information, or to receive an application form email info@melbflowershow.com.au.
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