5 minute read
Executive update
Welcome to the August 2023 edition of Groundswell, where we bring you the latest news and updates from Victoria's horticulture industry. In our last edition for winter, we celebrate the success of some of our industry partners, meet some new members, get the lowdown on our Industry Awards, and much, much more.
It has been an eventful few months for NGIV as we have been actively engaged in various advocacy efforts to promote and support our industry. We have held meetings with numerous state Members of Parliament, attended government-related events, and are currently preparing for the highly anticipated Annual Horticulture Showcase at Parliament House.
Horticulture Leader of the Year, Horticulture Student of the Year and Commitment to Environmental Stewardship awards, while recognising some distinguished and long-standing industry greats. It was a fantastic event with an impressive turn out; read about it and see the photos on page 14.
Taking place in the last week of August, the Showcase is an important event for our industry and serves as a continuation of our successful advocacy work. This year, our focus will be on education and careers in horticulture. We are excited to welcome special guests, including gardening celebrities, business owners, partners, directors, as well as education staff and students, who will join us in promoting and championing our industry’s strengths.
At NGIV, we are commited to advancing the interests of our members and the Victorian horticulture industry. Through events like the Showcase, we continue to advocate on behalf of our members, foster strong relationships with key stakeholders, and drive meaningful initiatives that support the growth and prosperity of our sector.
To stay up to date with our advocacy work, including our meetings with Members of Parliament, we encourage you to follow our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. These platforms provide valuable insights into NGIV’s work.
At our Annual Horticultural Industry Awards Night in July, we announced the winners of The Young
In addition to Awards Night, there have been several other successful industry events held recently. Notably, our Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria and NextGen events at Plant Access were held in June. You can read more about them on Page 13. And looking ahead, NGIV is gearing up for the upcoming Australian Horticultural Trials Week 2023, scheduled to take place from 5 to 8 December. We take great pride in collaborating with esteemed breeders, growers, and allied businesses across Australia for this esteemed horticultural event. Trials Week presents a unique opportunity to explore and experience an array of exciting new plant varieties, while visiting some of Australia’s finest propagators, growers, and allied businesses. It also serves as a platform for networking with industry professionals from both Australia and abroad.
If you are interested in exhibiting at this year’s event, please feel free to reach out to ngiv@ngiv.com.au. Alternatively, you can visit horticulturaltrials.com for more information.
In other exciting news, we are thrilled to share that the Horticultural Centre of Excellence feasibility study funding has been committed through the 2023–24 State Budget. This funding commitment highlights the government’s recognition of the value this project brings to our industry. The Horticultural Centre of Excellence will play an important role in supporting the growth and development of our sector. Since the last edition of Groundswell, the Partners in Wellbeing program has come to an end and NGIV have said farewell to our dedicated mental health clinician/consultant, Gerard Tan.
Beginning in October 2022, the Partners in Wellbeing initiative has been supporting the mental health and wellbeing needs of NGIV members. The program’s initial focus was on aiding businesses and their staff during the reopening of Victoria after prolonged periods of lockdown; however, the program has consistently adapted to the industry’s ongoing needs ever since. Through the Partners in Wellbeing program, Gerard has been actively contributing to the NGIV e-newsletter, offering weekly insights on mental health and wellbeing advice, and has made regular contributions to Groundswell
We would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to Gerard for his dedicated service. His contributions in the area of mental health and wellbeing have made a lasting impact on our industry, and while there are still many opportunities for growth in this area, Gerard’s insights have undoubtedly put our industry in a better position. We wish Gerard all the very best on the exciting road ahead.
Finally, we would like to thank our Industry Partners who have made the decision to renew their commitment over the recent months. NGIV is proud to have a larger number of partners than ever before, which reflects the strength, unity, and support within our industry. Our partners embody leadership, innovation, and a dedication to promoting the best practices in horticulture It is truly an honour to collaborate with them for the betterment of the Victorian horticulture industry.
We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Van Berkel Distributors, Syngenta and Southern Plants, who have joined our esteemed network of businesses as Industry Partners recently. Read more about Van Berkel Distributors and their long history in the industry on page 6.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in NGIV. Your dedication to the horticulture industry is invaluable, and we are grateful for your continued support. We look forward to welcoming many of you at our upcoming events, where we can connect, learn from each other, and further strengthen our industry.
As the weather begins to warm up in the lead up to what’s sure to be a busy and bustling spring, we wish you a safe and successful month and start to the season.
