CEO’S MESSAGE

Craig Taberner

CEO, NGIV

I was extremely disappointed with the Premier's roadmap to reopening announcement on Sunday 6th September and particularly the impact it will have on our retail members. And whilst the feeling of frustration is still present, now is the time to roll up our sleeves, do what we can to minimise the impact and look towards a brighter future.

Our inclusion in the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions ‘Retail Industry Reference group’, the Department of Agriculture’s ‘Agricultural Task Force’ and an ongoing dialogue with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, is grounds for optimism and gives us a voice in the reopening conversation.

We will continue to use that voice to represent the needs of our industry and keep you all informed. I know this is a really difficult time for many of you and we want to assure you we are doing everything we can to support Victorian retail garden centres and nurseries, in this difficult moment. It’s been heartening to see the steady decline of COVID positive cases in Victoria and it’s hard not to look towards a very busy and bright end of 2020 and beyond. For me personally, it’ll be wonderful to see the latest innovations from Victoria’s horticulture industry at Trials Week and to get everyone back under the roof at Caribbean Gardens for what will be a busy first Trade Day back.

The continued support and positivity from our members and partners, reminds me of what a special industry this is and how lucky we all are to be part of it. I’d also like to thank the NGIV Board for their continued commitment and input to help guide us through the pandemic with a clear focus and strategy.

Stay strong, stay focused and stay positive, I believe the future is very bright once we get through this difficult moment.

Craig Taberner

CEO, NGIV

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Improved genetics drives sales growth

Along with most major plant categories, sales of Helix Australia Waxflower and Boronia have been very strong over the last six months as consumers flocked to garden centres during the Covid crisis.

This season Helix Australia supplied over twenty hybrid selections of Waxflower and two hybrid Boronias to growers across both the east and west coasts of Australia. The demand was so strong that a large percentage of Helix Australia hybrids were sold slightly under size and also many were sold with no flower or buds showing. “The value of strong flower images was clearly evident this season and our plant labels were able to perform strongly at the point of sale where most consumer purchase decisions are made,” said Adrian Parsons, Managing Director, Helix Australia. “Immij have done a fantastic job providing striking flower images for our plant labels and to witness completely green Boronias flying off the shelf in April and May with no flower show was amazing,” he said

Parsons continued, “We are also getting strong feedback from our growers and trade partners that there is scope to be selling Waxflower pots throughout summer and autumn so we will start to adjust our propagation cycle to help service this new demand opportunity.”

Native Plant Wholesalers in Mount Gambier, S.A. is a licensed grower of Helix Australia Waxflower and Boronia. Nursery Manager Jason Dawe said the demand for all natives lines was the best he has seen in his twenty plus years in the industry.

“The range of colours,forms and flowering periods in the Helix Australia range is highly rated by our retail clients and we look forward to expanding our volumes in these exciting genetics in the coming years,” said Dawe.

Helix Australia continues to invest in on going breeding programmes with Kings Park & Botanic Garden which will continue to provide a steady pipeline of new Waxflower and Boronia hybrids in the coming years.