4 minute read
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining | Megan Flower, Chief Executive Officer, LVML
Every cloud has a silver lining...
MEGAN FLOWER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LANDSCAPING VICTORIA MASTER LANDSCAPERS
They say every cloud has a silver lining. This financial year threw a very long list of challenges at all Victorians and it would be very easy to focus on the negative aspects we have all had to endure. But it’s also incredibly important to focus on the positive achievements made by LVML this year, some as a result of the pandemic, and others as we continue to grow and work on what is best for our members and the industry as a whole.
Heading into the new Financial Year back in July 2019 we were basking in the success of our second trade event, The Landscape Show, held just days earlier as we switched focus to preparing for the first Backyard & Garden Show with our colleagues at SPASA Victoria. The Victorian Landscape Awards for 2019 were held for the first time at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre which delivered a very professional and slick event, elevating the standard yet again.
In quick succession into the start of 2020 came our Peninsula Nursery Tour, the SPASA Summer Show and another hugely popular Member Golf Day. And then, just 12 days before it was due to open for its 25th Anniversary celebration, MIFGS was cancelled and all events came to a grinding halt…
…but with creativity, agility and a ‘never give in’ attitude, we were able to deliver The Landscape Show as an online event with a range of generous offers from our Exhibitors and turn our regular Industry Nights and Workshops into Webinars. Discussing Pool Regs, talking about Mental Health issues and having a virtual catch up with BYO beers in our Beer Garden and Back Shed, we have stayed connected to each other in the most trying of circumstances. We approached the end of the Financial Year with some trepidation – how would the impacts of Covid flow onto Members and what would that mean for the future health of the Association? I must at this point give the biggest thanks on behalf of ALL Members to our Partners for continuing to back us in what has been popularly described as ‘unprecedented times’. They had no hesitation in supporting us at such a critical moment, as did every Member who showed their support by paying their annual subscription in record time. It was heartening to both the Board and Executive staff that everyone supported the Association in this way, and it has set the tone for a very positive 2020-21.
But although we got to June 30 with a sense of achievement and accomplishment despite the gloom of the pandemic, it would be remiss not to mention the first quarter of 20-21 as it is inextricably linked to the previous few months and continues to paint a picture of positivity for the future of the Association.
Taking on that ‘silver-lining’ attitude, announcements of Stage 3 and 4 restrictions in Victoria (oppressive as they were) became an opportunity for us to communicate details of those work limitations with non-members as well as our Members. As a result we have experienced a huge spike in social media engagement, and processed more applications and membership approvals in mere months than we have in previous annual periods.
Another positive aspect to be recognised is that by being forced into virtual events we were able to welcome Members from all over the state, as well as develop a valuable library of recorded resources for all Members to access at a time to suit them. The benefits experienced, as well as the knowledge learned from moving events online will continue to play a very important role in the development of future Association activities.
As we look to the future, strategic planning being undertaken by the Board will deliver goals and outcomes that will further underpin our growth, and campaigning and advocacy work - necessary during the crisis - has brought attention to who we are as an Association. It has opened doors that we will need to go through for future projects which is exciting.
Signing off with some well-deserved thanks, I’d like to thank Georgia Harper for her enthusiasm and dedication to continually improving Member Services over the last 3 years in her tenure as President as well as her support, both professional and personal, to me in my role. I would also like to thank all Board Members for their amazing efforts and dedication to the task at hand in trying times when they not only had their own family and businesses to look after but also held responsibility for the welfare of Landscaping Victoria. The passion of the people in this industry never fails to amaze me and LVML has certainly seen, and benefitted from, the camaraderie and knowledge of so many in recent times.
