Groundswell – April 2024

PUBLISHER

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

PRESIDENT Carl Soderlund

CEO Craig Taberner

CONTRIBUTORS Carl Soderlund, Craig Taberner, James Nicklen, Nan Cleven

ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599

ADDRESS Unit 3, 307 Wattletree Road, Malvern East VIC 3145.

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P.O. Box 2280, Wattletree Road LPO, Malvern East VIC 3145.

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CONTENTS

L–R: Katie Hall MP, Member for Footscray; The Hon. Ros Spence MP, Minister for Agriculture; Peter Donegan; Carl Soderlund; and Craig Taberner in Peter Donegan's Show Garden 'A Moment in Time'. www.ngiv.com.au

Our front cover: MIFGS 2024: A stellar showcase of our industry.

Executive update

Welcome to the April edition of Groundswell, where we bask in the afterglow of the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS), an event that dazzled with its vibrant displays and community spirit.

MIFGS 2024 was an outstanding success, with over 107,500 visitors experiencing five days of spectacular weather, amazing displays, and a showcase of our wonderful industry.

NGIV’s activations were again a highlight: The Grow Together Garden, presented by the Victorian Schools Garden Program, Foodcube, and the Sustainable Landscape Company, was a hit, featuring edible garden displays and showcasing willing support and connectedness with the Cambodian and Indian communities. Our newly created Green Room, introduced for the first time, helped foster many new relationships and was well received, providing greenery, seating and refreshments, while acting as a sanctuary among the hustle and bustle of the Show.

The Challenger Achievable Gardens, delivered by NGIV, were of a high standard once again, with many stories evolving over the five days. Nine spectacular gardens were designed and constructed by students from Holmesglen Institute, Open Colleges, London College of Garden Design, Melbourne Polytechnic, and Advance Community College.

NGIV members once again came to the fore. Several members had retail displays, and many visitors came to the show specifically to buy their green life. Growers provided plants to various gardens, and without their commitment, the show would not have been such an outstanding spectacle. A big thank you for your contribution

MIFGS is a true celebration of our industry, reflecting the efforts of growers, allied businesses, and retailers. We are indebted

Carl Soderlund President, NGIV

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

for your support, and, of course, our event partners, IMG, and the dedication and commitment of the NGIV staff.

It would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the many Victorian Members of Parliament who joined NGIV at the show, and this momentum keeps us in good stead as we push forward on a number of industry-related policy objectives, including the anxious wait on the completion of the Horticulture Centre of Excellence feasibility report.

A 2022 study funded by Agriculture Victoria supported the continued growth of the Victorian nursery and garden industry and recommended the scoping of a Horticulture Centre of Excellence (HCoE).

A HCoE is envisioned as a multi-purpose hub to strengthen the entire horticulture supply chain. It would draw on learnings from world-leading horticulture knowledge and innovation centres to ensure the adoption of ongoing best practices to drive excellence and market leadership within our state.

NGIV are currently working with Nous Group (Nous) and other stakeholders to understand the feasibility and potential design of a HCoE in Victoria.

A Horticulture Centre of Excellence feasibility study will be delivered by May 2024. More information about the study can be found on Page 19.

In this edition of Groundswell, we are pleased to share the Nursery Business Resilience Checklist, a tool developed by Agriculture Victoria in consultation with NGIV. We hope this tool provides opportunities for you and your business to reflect on your successes and to identify areas for further development.

Finally, we are happy to announce that mental health and wellbeing support is available once again to NGIV members through Partners in Wellbeing.

We welcome our new consultant Christoph Van Aerschot, who will be providing free and confidential wellbeing support to small business owners, their staff and their families.

The Partners in Wellbeing program provides to NGIV members:

» Consultation on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace

» Individual coaching or counselling to support resilience and manage stress and other mental health and wellbeing concerns

» Webinars and workshops on mental health and wellbeing

» Easy access and referrals to free small business financial counselling or business advisory services.

We hope all our members have enjoyed a positive and productive start to the year. We look forward to supporting you and your business through autumn and beyond.

Carl Soderlund President, NGIV Botanix Plant Supply

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: A stellar showcase of our industry

This year, we welcomed over 107,500 visitors to Carlton Gardens and the Royal Exhibition Building to revel in the splendour of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS). As proud owners of the Show, we worked closely once again with event partners IMG to deliver a world-class horticultural event that offered something for everyone, and which showcased the very best aspects of our industry.

The Awards Show Gardens

This year’s show featured eight Show Gardens, with two receiving gold and one being named Best in Show. The Best in Show award was given to designers Emmaline Bowman of Stem Landscape Architecture and Design and Liam Riley of ID Landscaping. Inspired by rural Australia through a sustainable lens, the garden showcased native plants, hay bales, and a windmill. The duo’s design entitled “Through The Looking Glass” was also the recipient of the HMAA Award for Best Use of Plant Life.

Also receiving Gold was Phil Withers’ garden, “SaltBush”, designed with Fiona Brockoff, which featured an array of native plants, including some stately banksias.

The People’s Choice Award went to ‘A Moment in Time’, designed by Peter Donegan and built by Semken Landscaping‚ presented by Daisy’s Garden Supplies.

Challenger Achievable Gardens

This year, student designers once again competed for the Achievable Gardens ‘Excellence Award’, with the award going to “Look Within” by Madeleine Holyman and Andrew Sargood from London College of Garden Design. Their garden showcased the vast variety of native and indigenous plants, and explored how depth and layers can be created in gardens.

The People’s Choice award was won by Angelo Cammaroto, from Open Colleges and Diaco’s Garden Nursery. Angelo, a Year 12 student currently studying at Salesnian College, is only 18 years old.

Through The Looking Glass designed by Emmaline Bowman of Stem Landscape Architecture and Design and Liam Riley of ID Landscaping

A Moment in Time designed by Peter Donegan and constructed by Semken Landscaping

SaltBush designed by Phil Withers and Fiona Brockoff

The Welcome Garden presented by Scotts

The Green Room

Comprising two renovated shipping containers and several marquee areas, the Green Room was decked out with green life courtesy of our generous members, Biemond’s Nurseries, Speciality Trees, Peninsula Growers, PMA, Dummen Orange, Feingold and Orchid Emporium, and it served as the industry and media hub during the Show.

Bringing together all touchpoints across our robust green life industry – from florists and designers to NGIV members and media professionals, as well as state and local decision makers – the Green Room facilitated communication, networking, and collaboration, ultimately working towards a unified voice for the industry.

The Green Room also functioned as a tranquil retreat amid the show’s activity for NGIV members, providing comfortable seating, greenery, and refreshments and was home to the Plant of the Year display.

Launched alongside the Green Room this year, the Plant of the Year Award attracted much interest and will be awarded for the first time in 2025.

The Grow Together Garden presented by The Victorian Schools Garden Program

Visitors were invited to explore, learn and grow in the Grow Together Garden, presented by the Victorian Schools Garden Program in collaboration with Foodcube and the Sustainable Landscape Design Co., with support from the Cambodian Association of Victoria and the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria.

The Grow Together Garden offered garden-based educational activities and celebrated our city’s rich diversity. Over the Show’s five days, students from schools across the state,

Marcus Gale, Event Director IMG, with Michael Warner, MIFGS Chair, and Carl Soderlund, NIGV President.

participated in potting activities, interactive demonstrations, explored the Indian and Cambodian kitchen gardens and were captivated by the Sustainable Scarecrows display, with Sarah the Sustainable Scarecrow from Holy Cross Primary taking home the People’s Choice Award.

The Events

The Garden Party

The Industry Garden Party, held on the Thursday night of the Show, was a resounding success, selling out for the second year running. Hosted under the twinkling lights of the Central Boulevard in Carlton Gardens, the event brought together professionals from across industries and provided a lively platform for networking and fun.

Life Members’ Lunch

During the opening day of the Show, NGIV’s Board and CEO had the pleasure of gathering with our esteemed Life Members for a delightful lunch. This annual tradition serves as a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the industry while allowing us to reconnect, reflect on past experiences, and delve into the current landscape of horticulture.

Political Engagement

We were thrilled with the level of engagement from Victorian politicians who visited the show. Their enthusiastic presence underscored the importance of horticulture within the community. Their interest in exploring the displays and

engaging with exhibitors highlighted a commitment to promoting and advancing the industry. Their support not only reinforced the significance of the MIFGS but also affirmed the vital role of horticulture in shaping sustainable and vibrant communities.

Retailers and Members

Retailers and exhibitors play a pivotal role in the success of the MIFGS. Their presence infuses the show with a diverse array of products, plants, and expertise, enriching the experience for attendees and elevating the overall atmosphere. From showcasing the latest trends in gardening tools and accessories to offering rare and exciting plant specimens, their offerings captivate visitors and inspire creativity.

Along with retailers and exhibitors, there are many other NGIV members whose work behind the scenes is indispensable to the Show. These members’ generosity, dedication and expertise contributes significantly to the Show’s success year after year. From generously donating plants and materials to bringing intricate show gardens to life, NGIV members are the heart of the Show.

We extend our gratitude to NGIV members for their invaluable contributions to MIFGS, which continue to enrich the show and inspire attendees. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to making the 2024 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show an unforgettable experience once again.

JAPONICA-AUSTRALIS

Permeable Paradise by Jamie Greentree (Melbourne Polytechnic)

Urban Harvest by Justin Rhodes (Melbourne Polytechnic)

A Repurposed Revolution by Sebastian Blacket (Holmesglen)

Light and the Dissolve by Zoe Hibberson (Holmesglen)

An Aussie Escape by Taylah Priestley Advance Community College)

‘Look Within’ by Andy Sargood and Maddy Holyman: Challenger Achievable Gardens Excellence Award Winner

‘Look Within’ by Maddy Holyman and Andy Sargood of London College of Garden Design –the winner of the prestigious ‘Excellence Award’ – showcased a vast variety of native and indigenous plants, exploring how depth and layers can be created in a garden. Andy and Maddy reflected on their experience of the Show and the construction of their garden.

“The challenge of MIFGS was an amazing experience. From Maddy calling and asking if we’d like to do a garden together to taking the garden apart at the end of the show, everything went really smoothly,” Andy says. “It was fascinating watching everybody build world-class gardens in less than two weeks. The controlled chaos and the beautiful spaces that we all created is mind-blowing.”

“It was absolutely fantastic, loved every minute of it … can we do it again?” asks Maddy. “It felt like we were a part of something really special and I left feeling super inspired.”

Asked about winning the Excellence Award for their garden, Andy says, “It’s reassurance that the gardens we have been designing are better than we thought. It’s a strange feeling to be studying and still learning, but we designed a garden that was well received by a lot of people. We loved it too.”

“It was just so exciting,” says Maddy. “London College had never entered the Achievable Gardens Competition before, so we approached it with very little expectation. I was very proud of what we had achieved, and as young designers entering the industry it was validation that we are on the right track.”

Asked whether they would encourage others to enter, Maddy says, “Absolutely! Dive right it. It is such a great learning and networking experience and there is no better feeling than marvelling at what you have created in just eight days and seeing the visitors appreciate it.”

Andy says, “It is such a great learning experience and networking event. Even just seeing how the other designers and landscapers go about building their gardens was inspiring. Meeting and chatting with them as well. I was ‘fangirling’ a bit. Highly recommend entering all of the competitions at MIFGS, from the Border Gardens run by LCGD, the Balcony Gardens, Achievables, Boutiques right the way to the Show Gardens.”

“Loved every moment of it,” Andy says. “The whole experience has been a blast.”

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Angelo Cammaroto’s ‘Japonica-Australis’ invited visitors to take a stroll over an arched redgum bridge and take a seat on the Hinoki stools to immerse themselves in a Japanese-inspired Australian native garden. Eighteen-year old VCE student and nursery employee Angelo took the time to share what inspired his garden and reflect on his MIFGS experience.

“My respect, love and passion for nature was my greatest inspiration to enter the flower and garden show competition. In addition, to my strong desire for landscaping, designing, and working with different plants and features outdoors inspired me to create my own unique garden. However, since the recent passing of my father, I have developed a strong desire to seize every opportunity that life offers me.

“Throughout the process of designing and building my achievable garden Japonica-Australis, I quickly learned that things do not always work out the way you plan for them to. Each step along the way required reflection. I had to make slight adjustments and tweaks based on the plant size and

their measurements. Many considerations had to be factored in for the overall garden effect I envisaged in my mind for my vision to come to life.

“I would definitely encourage others to enter this competition as it is a great learning experience, and the atmosphere is incredibly warm, embracing and welcoming. One I will never forget in my lifetime. It is a great way to network by making connections to the industry. It presents real life experiences when things don’t go to plan, plus you are given opportunities to meet like-minded people to talk with and grow from.

“I felt so proud to win the People’s Choice Award, as it confirmed that the garden was so well received by the public. It was one of the best things that happened during the Show, making me feel emotional and excited at the same time, as well as overwhelmed to know so many people chose my garden design and vision. I know my dad would be very proud of me, just like my mother is.

“Receiving this award means a great deal to me, especially having the support of all my family throughout this amazing journey. It has encouraged me to keep pursuing my passion for garden design and horticulture after I complete my VCE.

“I would like to thank my family for helping bring my design to life, along with Diaco’s Garden Nursery for helping me through this journey. I would also thank Vagabond Creations for bringing my ideas to life. And lastly, to Jess and the team at NGIV for supporting and allowing me to be involved. I look forward to coming back to MIFGS in some capacity in the future.”

MIFGS 2024 wrap

The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a vibrant and important showcase of industry, which is only possible thanks to the efforts of many dedicated and passionate people working tirelessly behind the scenes. We caught up with some of them to reflect on the successes of this year's Show.

“ As always, punters loved seeing so much work and inspiration go into all the gardens, whether they were of the Show, Boutique, or Achievable variety.

It was great to see so much variety in the show gardens this year too, not just bluestone pavers and outdoor kitchens, and the location and layout of the Boutique Gardens enhanced the experience of them for showgoers.

Throughout the Show, NGIV had great engagement with MPs, and we hope to harness that momentum and build on it for next year. We’ll be looking to create more curated

experiences for our tours with them in future to highlight the industry’s contributions to the state and their electorates. The Achievable Gardens were of a very high standard again and the Green Room, with it’s brilliant atmosphere, proved to be a solid foundation to build upon for future shows. It’s just one of the many opportunities available to us as we continue to build on the successes of the Show in future years.

Carl Soderlund,

Innersanctum designed by Paul Pritchard Landscape Design

Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh MP, with Deputy Leader of The Nationals Emma Kealy MP and NGIV CEO Craig Taberner.

Breath of Fresh Air designed by Paul Alexander Landscape

Coastal Waves designed by Smart Landscapes

Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria President

“

The undoubted highlight of MIFGS 2024 was the weather – five days of predominantly blue sky made walking through the Carlton Gardens a wonderful experience.

Some great Show Gardens showcased ‘Australiana’ – featuring natural watercourses, an iconic windmill, a beautifully presented bushman’s hut, and authentic Indigenous plantings. Boutiques in their new position provided better viewing, and Achievable Gardens were again of such high standard.

The NGIV activations were exceptionally well put together – VSGP and the Grow Together Garden, and the new Green Room initiative provided a lovely space for industry collaboration. In the hall, Collector’s Corner was a standout – offering something for everyone, from dinosaurs and giant snails for the kids to rare bonsai specimens for enthusiasts.

MIFGS presents a unique opportunity for our entire industry to come together for five days and collectively showcase to the people of Melbourne, Victoria, and beyond what we do so well. There is no greater stage to perform and spread our message.

”

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Michael Warner, Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Chair

“

Every year, we are honoured to welcome some of the world’s best garden and floral designers to Melbourne to showcase an exceptional array of horticultural inspiration. From previous Best in Show winners to first timers and a collection who flew in just for the occasion, this year’s talent mix was second to none and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all awards winners and those involved.

An incredible amount of work goes into producing every exhibit and this year’s program boasted some of the best we’ve seen in almost three decades. Stand out themes in all garden and floral categories included sustainability and social connection, as well as culture and community, as reflected in our first Indigenous Show Garden in collaboration with the Elders of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

”

Marcus Gale, Event Director IMG

“

To steal from Toyota marketing – ‘Oh, What a Feeling!’

There was a great atmosphere with MIFGS from the ground up, with ready-to-help players from site set up and marquee builds, to great freight management of all our stock and behind the scenes efforts that go unrecognised. So come show days, beautiful weather and some exquisite garden builds this year gave the show the perfect outdoor exhibition feel.

The quality and variety of plants used in landscapes that will inspire a huge range of home garden improvement certainly, is what the showcase I about for our industry. The way trees and plants get used in the gardens gives consumers an increased perception of value of those plants, which rewards all growers and retailers. Further, attendees were talking about showcased plants both from display gardens and wholesale exhibits and were asking to buy them from our store. That’s true marketing cut through. There was a nice balance of retailing and exhibition.

The gardens appeared to have more to see at every corner, enticing attendees to wander throughout, and the absolute high quality of the designer gardens were a standout success. Consistent traffic, a huge Friday night in terms of people enjoying the later timeslot and having the good sense to allow people to stay beyond the 5 pm Saturday night closing time made use of the great weather. The vibe amongst the visitors was the friendliest I have seen, and who would have known that there has been cost of living pressure bringing people down – everyone was out and positive.

Top marks to the NGIV team for being out and about, for providing a new haven in the Green Room for exhausted exhibitors and industry guests. I strongly recommend everyone in the industry visit the show and feel inspired by how strong and supported our industry is.

David Van Berkel, Garden Express

“ The show was highlighted by an unprecedented five days of perfect weather resulting in good attendance numbers.

The show gardens had great diversity with a number of them featuring naturalistic plant designs of grasses, natives, etc. although we had lush exotics, ferns, flowering and foliage still displayed.

The Boutique Gardens in their new location were of a high standard and showed innovative design. The Achievable Gardens and Border Gardens were great.

Worthy of mention was the Montague installation and the first iteration of a corporate dining experience with Seafood and Sips.

The broader industry was highly engaged with the new initiative of the Green Room and a record turnout for the Garden Party, while media exposure was better than ever before with both Garden Gurus and Better Homes and Gardens having prime time features.

The building had a spectacular centrepiece with the Collector’s Corner display and content was good particularly with the use of the arbours in a few installations to fill the vast space. It was great for the first time in six years to see Roses back in the hall.

The show is renowned for the efficient and professional management of IMG.

Retailers seemed to trade well despite difficult economic conditions.

All in all, a great result that showcased the industry to the public.

”

David Howard, Bay Road Nursery

2024 Winners – Show Garden/ Feature Garden

City of Melbourne Award of Excellence for Best in Show

Through The Looking Glass designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

Gold Show Garden

Through The Looking Glass designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

SaltBush designed by Phillip Withers and Fiona Brockhoff

Silver Gilt Show Garden

New Nordic Notes designed by Zetterman and Björne

Silver Show Garden

Inner Journey designed by Christian Jenkins Landscape Design and Margaret River Trees

Australian Idyll designed by Platylobium Landscape Design

A Moment in Time designed by Peter Donegan Design & Landscaping

Bronze Show Garden

Gratus designed by Riley Cooper Landscape Design & Horticulture

HMA Award for the Best Use of Plant Life

Through The Looking Glass designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

Mark Bence Construction Award

Through The Looking Glass designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

Innovative Design Award presented by Peugeot

Through The Looking Glass designed by Stem Landscape Architecture & Design and ID Landscaping

Landscaping Victoria Boutique Garden Award

1st Place – Innersanctum designed by Paul Pritchard Landscape Design

2nd Place – Breath of Fresh Air designed by Paul Alexander Landscape

3rd Place – Coastal Waves designed by Smart Landscapes

Avenue of Achievable Gardens Award of Excellence

Look Within by Madeleine Holyman & Andrew Sargood from London College of Garden Design Tables

The NGIV Annual Golf Day

Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria’s annual Golf Day took place on Friday 23 February at the picturesque Sandhurst Club, under clear and sunny skies with some moderate winds adding to the challenge. The event once again served as a fantastic platform for industry professionals to network, enjoy friendly competition, and show off their skills (or lack thereof) on the course.

The day kicked off with a delightful breakfast at the clubhouse, offering attendees the opportunity to mingle over coffee before hitting the fairways. The Sandhurst North Course was meticulously maintained and accommodated a record number of participants in the four-person Ambrose format, ensuring smooth play for golfers of all skill levels.

The post-tournament lunch, held in the club's function room, provided participants with the opportunity to unwind, enjoy a delicious meal, and to celebrate or commiserate. The much-

anticipated awards recognised the day’s heavy hitters with prizes for overall winners and the winners of each hole.

The 2024 NGIV Annual Golf Day Classic was another resounding success. Beyond the golfing aspect, the event reaffirmed the importance of networking and collaboration within the horticulture industry.

All NGIV members are invited and encouraged to join us at our regular industry networking events. For more information, visit ngiv.com.au/events.

Understanding the European horticulture industry: Insights from NGIV CEO’s trip

By Craig Taberner

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to embark on an overseas trip to see the horticulture industry in action. As the CEO of Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV), it was an honour to represent our association and to seek out valuable insights and innovative ideas to bring back to our thriving green sector.

The main purpose of the trip was a visit to the World Horti Center in South Holland. With the Victorian State Government committing funding to a feasibility study into the potential for a Horticulture Centre of Excellence in Victoria, it was a timely visit, which helped to define the possibilities and the scope of what we might achieve in our state. I was struck by the simplicity yet effectiveness of its model – the centre is a “place where businesses, education, research and public authorities innovate, connect, inspire and share knowledge together” –which is underpinned by robust government and industry support. I was fortunate to be shown around the facility by a senior executive who, upon my return to Victoria, has remained open in answering many questions for me and the consultants undertaking our study.

By fostering international connection and collaboration, we open doors to new opportunities for growth, ultimately benefiting our members’ businesses. Additionally, the firsthand experiences and knowledge gained from visiting renowned institutions and engaging with industry leaders will empower us to continue supporting our members in driving positive change and innovation within Victoria’s sector.

The rest of my itinerary was packed with enlightening experiences, starting with a visit to the renowned Royal FloraHolland Flower Auctions, a bustling cooperative and marketplace for floriculture. Witnessing the sheer scale of automation and product volume moving out the door, I couldn’t help but compare it to our local markets, like Epping’s fruit and vegetable market, and consider the potential for further growth and government involvement.

Venturing further, I explored garden centres across the Netherlands, where I encountered a range of creative displays and approaches to customer engagement, and experienced

IPM Essen for the first time. It was a breath of fresh air in terms of what the world of horticulture offers and the opportunities available within it. Australia is severely underrepresented at this event, and I will be looking to advocate for our government officials to attend so they can appreciate what could be possible with further investment. The displays were visually appealing and executed in diverse ways, ranging from simple signage to full colour, tech-infused designs, along with wonderful props and photo opportunities. There were many concepts that could be implemented in a future iteration of the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. There is certainly scope for MIFGS exhibitors to build on their successes and emulate elements of the captivating displays I saw at IPM Essen.

Among the trip’s other highlights were my visits to Dutch growers, who shared insights into their operations. The growers were very generous with their time; one even suggested that a 1 hour and 30-minute tour wasn’t enough and wanted me to stay for the whole day. The nurseries are built on automation, technology, and continual improvement, and it appears they have strong relationships with the industry, similar to the way we operate in Victoria.

As NGIV continues to champion innovation and collaboration within Victoria’s industry, I plan to implement key initiatives based on my discussions and observations during the trip. The trip provided invaluable insights into cutting-edge practices and innovations within the horticulture industry, which can be directly applied to support the productivity and competitiveness of our own operations.

This journey has been a professional highlight and a strategic investment in the future success and resilience of our members and the broader horticulture industry in Victoria.

A Horticulture Centre of Excellence in Victoria presents an exciting opportunity for Australia and the horticulture industry.

Horticulture is a vital industry in Victoria that is facing barriers to achievable growth potential.

The horticulture sector significantly impacts Victoria's economy and ecology. Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) plays a pivotal role as the sector's peak body. Representing and engaging with over 7,500 businesses4, NGIV focuses on supporting the industry and its contribution to the Victorian economy and its environments.

But the Victorian horticulture industry is facing ongoing challenges to realising our potential, including:

• a fragmented industry that is falling behind in digital innovation and best-practices;

• a changing climate disrupting ecological balance and affecting production;

• geopolitical occurrences disrupting supply chains; and

• ongoing workforce shortages and skill deficiencies that is slowing sector growth. These challenges present an opportunity for an appropriately designed and funded Centre of Excellence. This offers a model that can strengthen Victoria’s whole horticulture supply chain and position Victoria as a global leader in horticulture Nursery

Horticulture Centre of Excellence:

A 2022 study41 funded by Agriculture Victoria supported the continued growth of the Victorian nursery and garden industry and recommended the scoping of a Horticulture Centre of Excellence (HCoE)

A HCoE is envisioned as a multi-purpose hub to strengthen the entire horticulture supply chain. It would draw on learnings from world-leading horticulture knowledge and innovation centres to ensure the adoption of ongoing best practices to drive excellence and market leadership within our State.

As Australia's dedicated horticulture centre of excellence, its long-term focus would be to safeguard the nation’s plant life, food production, human wellbeing, and constructed and natural environments in a changing climate. A HCoE would offer the opportunity to deliver on objectives for a clean economy, sustainable energy usage, climate adaptability and green infrastructure. It could also provide a catalyst to fast track the identification, diffusion and application of knowledge and skills that appeal to a new generation of skilled workers – whose choice of career and attainment of skills will in turn grow an innovative sector, and place Australia at the forefront of horticultural practices globally. As such, the envisioned HCoE model could facilitate:

Innovation showcase

to increase horticulture visibility and practically demonstrate the latest enterprise offerings and achievements.

Education and training to upskill those looking to pursue a career in horticulture and fill in-demand jobs.

Partnerships and collaboration to bring together horticultural related trade, educational and research activities.

development

Research and to promote advancements in horticultural practices, technology and designs.

A Horticulture Centre of Excellence feasibility study will be delivered by May 2024.

PROJECT APPROACH

Nous Group (Nous) is currently working with NGIV and stakeholders to understand the feasibility and potential design of a HCoE in Victoria Nous’ feasibility study framework will analyse how a HCoE can support skills development, knowledge exchange, research advancement and collaboration across Australia’s horticulture landscape. Results will form recommendations to the Victorian Government and industry and consider the contribution of a HCoE to the industry’s strategic objectives and the broader economy.

Feasibility study framework:

1. Vision and stakeholder engagement

2. HCoE model design and function options

3. Funding options and financial analysis

4. Model evaluation

The study will engage state and Commonwealth government agencies, education providers, and key industry stakeholders to develop a clear vision for a centre of excellence, make clear the problem it addresses and the value it will provide. As part of this, the study will establish the desirability of a HCoE and develop a compelling case for investment

1. Realisation of growth opportunities Victorian nursery and garden industry, Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria, 2022. 2. Victorian horticulture industry Fast Facts, Agriculture Victoria, 2023. 3. Victorian nurseries and floriculture industry, Fast Facts, Agriculture Victoria, 2023. 4. https://www.ngiv.com.au/, Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria, 2023.

Tall Trees and Botanix establish the Cohort Nursery Group

By James Nicklen

Cohort Nursery Group, an alliance between Tall Trees and Botanix, represents an exciting and innovative approach to managing business operations in the nursery industry. What began with a nursery site to grow larger containerised stock and provide extra capacity for the two successful businesses has now become a way for them both to share and centralise some of their resources while drawing on each other’s extensive knowledge and experience.

Cohort Nursery Group is built upon decades of shared experience and knowledge, with its three directors, Joel Vanderuit, Jared Vanderuit and Carl Soderlund, each bringing something unique to the table. Joel Vanderuit recalls, “Jared came on board and started the build and the running of the new nursery. The three of us then started to work pretty closely together.” Initially an organic convergence of minds and capabilities focused on the nursery itself, discussions soon evolved into a realisation of vast untapped potential. Soderlund says, “The more we worked together, the more that the synergies started to emerge.”

It was Joel and Jared’s late father, Dave, who recognised the possibilities offered by an unused parcel of land in Somers, Victoria, located next to a water treatment facility. Being green wedge land owned by Southeast Water, Dave saw the potential for a symbiotic relationship between the treatment plant and a nursery site, and so in 2020, the site was leased, and Jared began his ‘COVID-project’, preparing the land’s first paddocks for holding stock. With Tall Trees and Botanix both utilising what

was now the Cohort Nursery site, they quickly recognised the potential for Cohort to be more than just the nursery.

The group’s growth trajectory has unfolded strategically and methodically in the years since, and Carl and Joel admit that they are still discovering the potential offered by the Cohort Nursery Group, which was formed as the nursery was taking shape. The initial phase of the group focused on maintaining the operations of both Tall Trees and Botanix, while slowly navigating towards a cohesive group structure. There were some challenges to overcome with the balancing of group-level initiatives with individual business growth, but they continued to gradually transition towards more group-focused strategies.

A key strategy was and remains the leveraging of their collective expertise while recognising the value of external perspectives and measures of accountability. They have worked with business analysts and strategists to ensure that the group is focused and that they remain accountable to key measures and to one another. “We recognise all of our strengths,” Joel says.

Photos by Janis House Photography

“And where we don’t have particular strengths between us, we go and find people who do."

Looking ahead, the Cohort Nursery Group envisions the creation of more group-level roles and functions. From HR to procurement and beyond, the group aims to amalgamate some key common functionalities, streamlining operations and maximising efficiency across businesses. The first position like this is Jared’s, who is Cohort’s Group Operations Manager, overseeing operations at the Cohort Nursery site, the two T all Trees sites and the two Botanix sites.

In this way, Cohort Nursery Group is not merely a business amalgamation but a platform that can foster career growth and offer a secure, collaborative environment for employees. “There’s so much opportunity for career pathways here. In some ways, more than in any of the individual businesses,” Joel says.

This is only the beginning, Carl and Joel emphasise, genuinely enthusiastic about the potential the group represents “We’re excited to go to work,” Carl says. The nursery and group strategising provides an opportunity to add diversity to their working weeks and helps them to approach their work reenergised. And with the synergy between the trio and their established businesses, their shared ambition, and the collective vision for the group, Carl says that for Cohort, “the sky’s the limit”.

Photos by Janis House Photography

NURSERY BUSINESS FITNESS CHECKLIST

The Nursery Business Fitness checklist was developed by Agriculture Victoria in partnership with Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) as part of the Nursery (and Farm) Business Resilience Program.

The checklist is designed to assist all nursery businesses to be more prepared and better planned, ultimately making them more resilient and able to meet challenges and grasp opportunities.

Where are you and your business at now?

A fit and healthy nursery business provides the platform needed to achieve your goals (business and personal), and be profitable and resilient in the long term.

How well do you and your partners know your farm and your business, and its fitness for the future? Use this checklist to assess where you’re at now and to help identify opportunities for improvement. It also suggests where to go to get the information, resources and support you need to make it happen.

Now, where, how?

Completing the checklist will give you a good sense about where you and your business are at now. This is an important step in the planning process, followed by clearly identifying your ‘where and how’ and, preferably, getting it down on paper.

How to use this checklist

Each section of this checklist is designed to prompt your thinking about different aspects of your farm business. It’s a ‘self-assessment’ and there are no right or wrong answers Your job is to identify areas that might be a priority for you by ticking the box that best describes where you are at for each question.

Yes, we’ve nailed it

OK, but we could do better

No, and we should do something about it

This process will help you to focus on what’s achievable — none of us can do everything at once.

No, and it’s not relevant to us

Try scanning through the checklist before you start ticking so that you have an idea of what’s included. The aim is to identify and focus on a small number of areas that will move you forward significantly.

After completing each section think about how you’ve rated yourself and list some goals and actions that you reckon will make the biggest difference in improving what you do.

There are some exercises on pages 30, 31, 32 and 33 that you can use to reflect on your responses after completing each section of the checklist.

Our People

PLANNING FOR US:

We know what we want our life to look like in 5 years’ time

We are considering our retirement /succession needs and what it will take to get there

We have enough time to spend with family and friends

Most days we are happy to go to work and find it fulfilling

We have a healthy lifestyle and have an annual health check

We manage our fatigue levels and appropriately manage safety for all

We know who our neighbours are, and we help them in times times of need

We are involved in local groups and activities that strengthen the local community

PLANNING FOR THE TEAM:

We have a plan to develop our skills (e g. communication, people management , financial, safety)

We are aware of and compliant with our legal obligations when employing staff either directly or through an Approved Employer Labour Hire Service provider

We have a documented labour requirement plan for the business

We have adequate numbers of staff for all tasks to be effective, avoid staff fatigue and staff dissatisfaction

We invest in professional development for all members of our business

Our staff are adequately trained for the roles they perform including appropriate licences (e.g. ChemCert , heavy vehicle and forklif t licenses)

Our team understands our business purpose and their role in achieving that purpose

We have regular team meetings to discuss plans, progress and opportunities for improvement

We ensure that our staff are trained in Safe Work Practice requirements for our business

We have a safety plan in place for staff working remote or alone

We provide awareness and access to Mental Health Support programs for ourselves and our staff

PLANNING FOR OUR VISITORS/CONTR ACTORS:

Our employees/contractors have been inducted and the inductions are documented

We have a visitor sign-in log and use it

We have an emergency management plan in place

Our contractors are appropriately licensed and legally compliant

We make sure all staff, visitors and contractors are aware of our site biosecurity requirements

Yes, we’ve nailed it

OK, but we could do better

No, and we should do something about it

No, and it’s not relevant to us

Our Nursery and Growing Spaces

Yes, we’ve nailed it

OK, but we could do better

We have a plan to maintain and improve our business infrastructure to meet current and future growing needs

We have a plan to expand our growing spaces to meet future growing needs

We have and use a documented quality assurance system (e.g. FMS, NIASA , EcoHort , HACCP)

Our fertiliser and chemical storage capacity is sufficient and meets requirements

We understand our plant stock water needs and have sufficient water available for the season

We have a water use plan for drought conditions

Business fencing/boundary markers are adequate for our needs

We plan our production a season in advance

We have a regular soil/growing media testing program in place

We use a soil moisture monitoring and other irrigation management tools to better understand and manage our water

We, as much as possible, take a pro - active rather than reactive approach to running our business but remain flexible

We are aware of our biosecurity responsibilities and have a plan in place?

We regularly undertake plant monitoring/surveillance to observe pest and disease pressures and biosecurity risks

We are occupational health and safety aware and compliant

We have appropriate equipment for the tasks we need to complete, and we regularly clean and maintain it. All staff are trained in safe operation of our equipment

Accommodation for us and employee accommodation is suitable and compliant (PALM)

No, and we should do something about it

No, and it’s not relevant to us

Our Business

We have a written business plan and a list of goals that we are working towards

Our team is aware of the goals we are working towards

We feel we are in control of our business

We have measures and targets for our business production

We are aware of our financial performance measured by profitability and net worth over time

We know our cash flow position and have the ability to pay bills in the billing cycle

We have a good understanding of our costs of production and profit-making commodity price targets

We have a diverse range of established and secure markets for our products

We develop an annual plan and budget and review and update it throughout the year

We look at other businesses for ways we can improve what we do

We have a documented succession plan which is regularly reviewed and discussed with family members or business partners

We have a good relationship with our accountant , our bank and other service providers

We understand the likely effects of a changing climate on our business and have plans (short /long) to adapt accordingly

We are aware of our energy usage and emissions output and have plans in place to reduce them

Our Landscape

We have a Whole Business Plan and map identifying environmental risks e.g., runoff from nursery bed into waterways, infrastructure, erosion areas, steep slopes

We apply agrichemicals responsibly and fully understand the spray set up and environmental conditions required to avoid drift , run off and off target damage

We are on track to leave an improved natural resource base for the next generation

Our business management strategies optimise soil water retention (inground and motherstock producers only)

We monitor our soil health, and our management strategies enhance our soil capability (i e. ground cover preservation, reduced tillage for (inground and motherstock producers only)

We understand our soils/growing media and what is needed to manage any constraints

We strategically use and plant trees for multiple purposes such as windbreaks, erosion control, salinity, timber capturing carbon and/or biodiversity

Our drainage is managed and sealed

We are recapturing and reusing water

We manage and monitor how water is leaving the growing site

We assess our plants for weed pressure, including review of our plant stock lists for potential pest pressures and issues relating to biosecurity regulation

We conduct pest and weed management surveillance onsite and on a regular basis

We are aware of and monitor for natural disaster such as fire/flood/hail/wind

Yes, we’ve nailed it OK, but we could do better

No, and we should do something about it No, and it’s not relevant to us

Our Risks

Our business is robust and can withstand various ‘shocks’ such as commodity price drops, interest rate rises, natural disaster, staff vacancies/shortages

In the event of these shocks, we have recovery plans and know where to access support information

We have an appropriate business structure in place (e.g. sole trader, partnership, company or trust)

We have effective insurance coverage (business and life insurance)

We have identified the major risks associated with our business and have risk mitigation strategies in place

We have access to finance that allows us to invest in development work or opportunities when they arise

We have identified and documented the hazards in our business. They are effectively managed to keep ourselves, our team and our visitors safe

We have a plan for managing the business and crops during extreme weather (e.g., droughts, fire, floods, storms)

We have a biosecurity plan in place and use it

We are effectively managing chemical resistance for pests and weeds, including use of IPDM strategies

Our team has health and safety front of mind, the safety risks are identified, and systems are in place to isolate or minimise these

We use short- and long-term seasonal forecasts to make informed decisions and adapt our management practices and business plans

Yes, we’ve nailed it OK, but we could do better

No, and we should do something about it No, and it’s not relevant to us

Things we can do

Think about the ratings you’ ve given yourself above. What areas do you want to focus on?

Can you see opportunities? Write some goals and actions down here

Notes

SWOT Analysis

Needs a What and Why and some guidance on how to complete the SWOT. Use the answers above to assist in completing the sheet.

Strengths

“Build on…”

Weaknesses

“Correct or avoid…”

INTERNAL FACTORS

Oppor tunities

“ Take advantage of…”

Threats

“Mitigate…”

EXTERNAL FACTORS

Next Steps – Your plan on a page

Putting your goals and actions on a single page will help you to focus on the things that matter the most. It means you have taken the plans in your head and put them on paper, which also means you get the full picture of the things you’d like to achieve next in one place

This gives all of the decision makers in your business the chance to see the plan and to make sure you’re all on the same page

Importantly it allows you to:

• Be confident that you have a shared view of what ’s next

• Communicate your plan with other people, either inside or outside your business

• Refer back to your plans and track your progress and achievements.

Nursery Business Resilience Program

Plan on a page

FOCUS AREA: Business safety

GOALS AND ACTIONS:

Goal: The business is a safe working environment, with relevant policies and procedures in place that everyone understands and carry out.

Actions: Michelle to use our Industry Body resources to develop policies and procedures for our nursery by 30 Nov 2024.

John to put safety as a standing item on our weekly team meeting agenda to discuss how we work in our nursery and get input from the team, starting next week.

Team to use mobile phones to allocate tasks to staff, capture safety issues, track the completion of all jobs, get feedback and capture ideas – try WhatsApp as a team communication tool, starting 1 Sept 2024.

Have a team dinner at the local pub once a month – our shout. First Tuesday of the month starting Sept 2024.

FOCUS AREA: Lifestyle

GOALS AND ACTIONS:

Goal: To be healthy enough physically and mentally to undertake farm activities and enjoy family and leisure time – ongoing.

Goal: To complete one significant exciting activity per year – every year.

Goal: To be active in our local community and make a contribution that matters to us – ongoing.

Actions: Michelle to book us both in for a check up with our GP by the end of October. Decide between going to the Grand Final or a week in Queensland and book it. Maybe book both! John to book by end of August.

Invite the neighbours and new people to the area over for a BBQ – do before busy spring period. Michelle to make this happen.

FOCUS AREA: Growing our equity

GOALS AND ACTIONS:

Goal: Grow our equity from $1.5 mill to $2.5 mill by 2030 , so as to achieve financial freedom with enough equity to fund the lifestyle we want when we turn 55.

Goal: generate an average $70k cash surplus each year for debt reduction or future investments.

Actions: Meet with our consultant by the end of Oct 2024 to agree the important measures of financial performance (KPIs) for our business and track nursery performance annually.

Allocate specific regular time to investigate the next opportunity to grow equity – meet together every 6 months starting Dec 2024.

FOCUS AREA: Chemical management

GOALS AND ACTIONS:

Goal: To improve understanding of pesticide and chemical usage across business, including production costs

Goal: To reduce chemical usage across the business.

Actions: Undertake chemical inventory across the business – John end of financial year.

Review use of pesticides and other chemicals each month

– Michelle to make this happen.

Review training for chemical usage and application and run re-fresher courses if required – Michelle to make this happen by end of August.

Review and update IPDM strategies by end of financial year

– John.

FOCUS AREA : GOALS AND ACTIONS:

FOCUS AREA : GOALS AND ACTIONS:

FOCUS AREA : GOALS AND ACTIONS:

FOCUS AREA : GOALS AND ACTIONS:

The Farm Business Resilience Program is supporting farmers to build stronger, more productive agricultural businesses.

Visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/FBRP

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The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

Vale Greg Walker

Henry Walker, better known as Greg Walker, passed away at age 99 in January 2024 after witnessing his beloved Pies win the grand final.

Greg had been a nurseryman for over 60 years, starting with his father-in-law in a small nursery, Silverleaves, in Thornbury. From there, he moved to Bundoora, and then to South Morang.

It was at Bundoora where he specialised in fuchsias and clematis and was honoured when a fuchsia was named after him. Greg travelled to England for the Chelsea Garden Show and conducted further research into clematis.

Greg was an early supporter of Garden Week (now the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show), initially as an exhibitor, then on the committee, before eventually becoming President and

holding the position for several years. He was awarded a certificate of appreciation which reads:

“In sincere appreciation of your unselfish leadership and contribution to the advancement of the horticultural industry Your hard work, perseverance, and personal sacrifice have moulded Garden Week into a bridge spanning the gap between public awareness and the Nursery Industry. For this, the Australian Nurserymen will forever be indebted. Presented as a token of our appreciation on 17th March 1984. The Garden Week Committee.”

Greg was a long-time member of the Nurseryman’s Association (which later became Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria) and was made a life member. Greg was also an early member of Plants Plus. Upon retirement, he led the Wonthaggi U3A Gardening group, with the community garden named after him.

He always maintained his interest in horticulture and took pride in his garden at Inverloch. In 2023, after a bout of COVID, he transferred to Woorayl Lodge, taking some of his favourite plants with him.

Greg is survived by his daughter Sandra and her husband Graeme, who shared a partnership with him in the nursery for over 40 years, as well as his son Phillip and daughter-in-law Sandy, and two granddaughters. If anyone remembers his ‘series of short speeches’ in acceptance of life membership, they would know he was inordinately proud of his family.

Greg passed away quickly and peacefully, a lifelong cricket fan, just missing out on his century.

Interview with NextGen NICHOLAS DYALL

TGA Australia

Where do you work and what is your role?

I work at TGA Australia as a horticultural apprentice in the production team.

How long have you worked there and how has your role progressed in that time?

I have been a part of the team for eight months now and in that time my role has gradually grown as I have gained more knowledge and experience within the industry.

What do you enjoy most about working in horticulture?

I love seeing the unique characteristics of the plants we work with, their bold colours and wild shapes, how they excite the five senses and challenge us to find the beauty within them, and all that is around us. I also enjoy working outside all day with a team of enthusiastic, likeminded people which lets us get through whatever weather may dawn upon us with a smile and a laugh.

Who has inspired you on your journey?

My inspirations come from far and wide, from family and friends who have a love for tending to their gardens, to famed bush poets like Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson that so elegantly described the country and its flora and fauna in their work. I have also a developed a deep interest in First Nations culture and their knowledge of the land, something that challenges me to find my own connection to country.

What is a typical day like for you?

A normal day could include a variety of different jobs, such as preparing our beds for potting to minimise any weed germination for as long as possible as our stock spends a lot of time growing.

Proudly sponsored by

We spend time pruning and shearing our stock to encourage thicker foliage and more robust root systems. A potting day includes driving our front-end loaders to move media and using our potting machine to pot our stock up into larger pot sizes to give a plant more room to grow. Of course there is plenty of weeding to be done too, using different methods to try and get on top of them.

Why should more young people choose horticulture as a career?

I find it connects you with what is around you in an almost unexplainable way. It humbles you by bringing you back down to earth. As I spoke of before, it challenges you to find the beauty with what lies ahead of you, like an ever-flowing painting, unable to change yesterday’s brush stroke. I encourage not just young people, but everyone to open up to horticulture, as it is not just a gateway to more learning and opportunity, but it plants the seeds to a fulfilling career spent in awe of the world around us. You look after the earth, and the earth will look after you.

What is the best piece of career advice you’ve received on your journey?

Strangely, the best advice was something that I told myself: it is quite simple but can apply to any situation. That being, “best efforts” as something to remind yourself of while doing any task or job. Such as ‘have I given my best effort to enjoy this?’ or ‘is this my best effort?’ I found it’s a good way to challenge your thinking towards what you are doing and makes you pick up on any bad habits that may rapidly form.

Are you studying/have you studied a horticultural course?

I am currently studying a Certificate III in Nursery Operations. Tell us a bit about you; what you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love listening to music – any number with the blues, and preferably from an old record. I play a few instruments, so I enjoy writing music too. I like reading books and poetry by Australian authors and getting out to support the local football and cricket club. Go Tyabb Yabbies!

About NextGen

The Victorian nursery and garden industry is full of young, enthusiastic people, who are shaping the industry of the future. NGIV’s NextGen is a forum for people under 35 years of age to meet, exchange ideas and hone their leadership skills. NextGen provides a unique opportunity for young horticulturalists to form networks and develop their careers, learn more about the industry, and have fun.

Trade Day report

By Nan Cleven

After a sweltering weekend, it was a very pleasantly cool and overcast start to the day for this time of year – the third of our summertime markets at KCC Park in February School was back; holidays were over and time to re-focus for the year ahead.

It was a full house for February, with much seasonal colour about, stock plentiful for buyers – and a particular focus on the upcoming Valentine’s Day and Lunar New Year – with some distinctive gift lines on show.

February Trade Day was proudly sponsored by Bronze Industry Partner DNA Training.

« Our ‘Sponsors for the Month’ – Bronze Industry partner, DNA Training – Belinda Tardini more than happy for the chance to officially begin trade for February – yet another of our enthusiastic ‘bell ringers’!

March Trade Day heralded the start of autumn for us all. Anticipating a busy season ahead, standholders were back and in full swing with all indoor trade stands covered, along with several outdoors in extra marquees. Buyers were out and about early, keen to stock up in the lead up to Labour Day long weekend, MIFGS and Easter all occurring within the next month.

The Gala BBQ Day and Coffee Cart were proudly sponsored for March by NGIV Platinum Partner, Norwood, and Bronze partner, Arborgreen.

« Evergreen Connect were also duly recognised on the day as another of our Bronze Industry Partners, as were all of our Industry Partners – with an ‘Avenue of Honour’ of newly decorated bollards to welcome all members and visitors upon arrival.

« Elliot on “L’s” – Look out! We handed over the keys of the DNS electric cart to Elliot to unload and bump-in the gear for the GCP stand. No speeding allowed – all went well!

«

After withstanding some severe weather damage earlier in the year, Mirboo North Garden Centre were overwhelmed by the support of growers, who generously donated stock to their nursery. Gino and Karen were grateful to everyone who showed their support.

« Winner of the ARS professional secateurs and leather pouch, courtesy Arborgreen in the Gala Day Prize raffle draw – Alowyn Garden Centre – no doubt will be put to very good use!

« Taking on the duty as Bell Ringer for the Autum Gala Day, Marc Jarvis from Arborgreen amused at the instant action of our buyers, following his antics with the bell.

« Marc, joined by Perry Lemon and Sam pre-trade time.

Merrywood were in the spirit of Lunar New Year.

PRICE UPDATE