SPRING BLUEMING SUPPORTS HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY

Spring Blueming in support of the Horticultural Industry and Beyond Blue

By Roger Boyle

What a challenging year 2020 has been, and the positives of gardening and gardens has never been more important to the health and wellbeing of the community. With this in mind, the local staff of ICL Specialty Fertilizers workshopped a concept that became known as Spring Blueming to celebrate the contribution of all staff, owners and businesses of the horticultural industry. ICL partnered with Beyond Blue to acknowledge the mental challenges 2020 has presented, and to raise funds for this worthy cause.

With the support of State and National associations, including NGIV, and encompassing wholesale, retail and turf; ICL invited businesses to host a personalised event to thank their staff, and to join an online presentation from media personality, Jason Hodges. Jason spoke passionately about the challenges we have all faced this year; including floods, drought and of course COVID-19. And how the industry has managed to grow in the face of adversity.

“It felt like the world was ending, but everyone has fallen in love with gardening again, and our industry has proven to be an essential service.”

Jason encouraged younger members of the industry to strive for personal development, and to embrace the opportunities this great industry offers. He presented a very engaging message, filled with personal anecdotes.

The initiative was embraced by many businesses and associations across Australia, with morning teas, lunches, and personalised events, taking place. And although the official event date was 28 October, many organisations chose to hold events throughout the week. To date over $10,000 has been raised in support of Beyond Blue, from staff plant sales, raffles, gold coin donations and business contributions. ICL staff around the country attended local events and were appreciative of the efforts taken to both celebrate the day and raise funds for Beyond Blue.

“NGIV is proud to support this wonderful event created by our partner ICL. We look forward to seeing the event grow in the coming years and will continue to donate to this worthy cause,” CEO NGIV, Craig Taberner.

Given that Spring Blueming was conceived around 10 weeks before the launch day, ICL staff were hugely impressed with the enthusiasm from the industry as a whole, and the passion of the participating businesses on the day. Personally, I attended a great event at Oasis Cranbourne organised by their Health & Safety Representative team; it was full of colour, smiles and activity, and importantly adhered to COVID plans with social distancing and hygiene measures. Thank you and well done to all involved.

“Spring Blueming was a fantastic initiative, we’d like to thank everyone involved in delivering it. What an awesome way to thank our staff for all their efforts.” – Oasis Cranbourne.

ICL plan to coordinate Spring Blueming as an annual event and are confident it will grow in support and following. The mental health and hard work of the industry deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated as we continue to grow and supply products that bring so much joy to the gardening community.

Thank you for your support.