From the Presidents Ian Barker
INCOMING PRESIDENT
Nine days into the role of President, I was thrilled to open proceedings for the 2023 Victorian Landscape Awards and for those who did not attend on the night, I hope you enjoy this edition of Earthstyle that celebrates the outstanding work that made the judges decisions very difficult. The quality of work submitted was nothing short of exceptional, a testament to the immense talent and unwavering dedication within our landscaping community and I applaud the courage of those who entered. For some it is disappointing not to take a trophy back to the office, but every entrant should take pride in their achievements, for as an industry body, we should all be proud of what we are accomplishing together.
David Jarman
A big thank you to Russ Sweetman and David Jarman as they step down from their Board duties: Russ after three years, and whose commitment to right and wrong whilst always maintaining a calm demeanour will be sorely missed; and David who worked hard to ensure that everyone around him was looked after, consistently clearing a path so those around him could succeed. Thank you both. Ian Barker
OUTGOING PRESIDENT
The 2022-2023 year has been nothing short of remarkable. As we look back, we can appreciate that with the challenges posed by the pandemic behind us, we collectively built a foundation of stability and structure in our daily lives. Business generally exhibited a measured slowdown, primarily attributed to multiple interest rate rises, supply chain pressures and the increasing cost of living. The construction sector is poised to remain strong in coming years however, driven by solid growth in residential construction, but we must remain vigilant as rising labour and material costs continue to affect profit margins. Our members need to adapt and ensure that project budgets remain robust and flexible to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. This year’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden show saw record crowds attend and LVML hosted the Advisory Centre and the Boutique Garden Competition with the usual levels of exceptional service. I extend our thanks to the dedicated volunteers and staff who generously devoted their time to support our presence. One of the standout events this year was again The Landscape Show, which continues to gain momentum and industry support each passing year. As the event's growth is assured, we encourage all Supplier members to actively participate and secure their stands well in advance. Our first industry night in a while was held at Yarrabee & Castlemaine Stone, where members, contractors, suppliers, and staff enjoyed the opportunity to relax with food and a quiet drink, engage in fruitful networking, and strengthen the social fabric of our association. LVML owes a debt of gratitude to our partners and sponsors whose steadfast support is instrumental to our ability to provide essential services and resources to our members. Your unwavering support is the cornerstone of our success, and we recognize that we couldn't achieve what we do without your partnership. Together, we will continue to prosper and grow.
"I hope you enjoy this edition of Earthstyle that celebrates the outstanding work that made the judges decisions very difficult."
The success of Landscaping Victoria is a testament to the tireless dedication of our small but highly committed team. Their unwavering efforts ensure that we deliver maximum benefit to members. We must also acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our members who volunteer their time and energy to assist at LVML events through participation in public-facing shows and exhibitions, and engaging in committee activities. In closing, I would like to thank the LVML executive team for their relentless hard work, dedication, commitment, and steadfast support of our association and its members. I especially extend my gratitude to members for entrusting me to serve you as a Board member for 6 years, the last as President. I have been truly humbled and honored and would encourage everyone to think about nominating one day – it is so rewarding. To all board members I have served beside over the years; your friendship, encouragement, and leadership of our Association are genuinely cherished. The 2023-24 board with Ian Barker at the helm (see page 13 for details) and the executive team led by new CEO Ritchie Hinton are fully committed to supporting our members and delivering increased benefits. In the upcoming year, there is a rich calendar of activity, and the primary focus remains on giving back to our members. I wish you all every success for the future. David Jarman
"To all board members I have served beside over the years; your friendship, encouragement, and leadership of our Association and genuinely cherished."
