VALE: DAVID VANDERUIT

Vale David (Dave) Vanderuit

18/11/1953 – 4/10/2022

David (Dave) Vanderuit, former owner of Tall Trees Nursery, passed away suddenly in the early hours of Tuesday, 4 October 2022.

David Vanderuit and partner Garry Evans started Tall Trees Nursery back in 1988. Growing advanced trees from 14cm to 200 litre, mainly native and exotic varieties, while also undertaking brokerage services for some clients. Tall Trees provides advanced trees to developers, landscapers, councils and other wholesalers throughout Victoria. Some of Victoria’s most prominent developments, such as Rod Laver Arena, Caroline Springs and Woodlea Estates and the Melbourne Museum all used stock from Tall Trees.

Originally starting with a small plot of trees out the back of the family’s home, on a quarter acre block, the business grew considerably.

After 34 years at the helm, Dave and Garry officially passed ownership of the nursery on to brothers Joel and Jared Vanderuit. Now, in 2022, it encompasses over 8 hectares (20 acres) and a has team of 35 staff.

Dave was known for his incredible hard work. Early starts and late finishes were the norm. And when you run a nursery you never fully switch off, there’s always a distraction.

Son Joel Vanderuit reflected on his dad’s work ethic:

‘Dad taught me about being good to your staff, treating everyone with respect – he was fastidious about it. Tall Trees is not a hierarchical business; if something needs to get done, it doesn’t matter who it is, we get it done. Dad managed a lot of the business admin and drove a truck nearly every day and even up until just recently, when we’re in a jam, he’d pitch in.’ These lessons are not necessarily things you’d learn in a university class, but practical insights that have stood Tall Trees in good stead.’

He was also a strong community man, financially supporting the Westernport Warriors football team which was started by a local policeman and provides opportunities for men who are long-term unemployed, have alcohol and drug addictions, mental health problems or other disabilities.

Over the last five years, Dave enjoyed his retirement playing golf, fishing, leisurely lunches with friends and extensive travel to the corners of the earth, including the north pole and Antarctica. He was a member at Devilbend Golf Club and was on the committee there, providing business advice. We all knew how much Dave liked his golf and was good at it (well beating the handicapper) and celebrated success on more than one occasion during NGIV’s Annual Golf Day as part of “Team Vanderuit”.

He was a valued member of the Victorian Nursery and Garden industry and will be sadly missed by so many.

On behalf of the Nursery and Garden Industry of Victoria Board, staff and members, our condolences are expressed to wife Karen, sons Joel and Jared and the extended Vanderuit family.

Joel, David, Jarrod Vanderuit, Shane Male