Groundswell – February 2023

Volume 34 Number 1

February 2023

PUBLISHER

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

PRESIDENT Simon Gomme

CEO Craig Taberner

CONTRIBUTORS Simon Gomme, Craig Taberner, James Nicklen, Stephanie Gorst, Ron van der Ploeg, Lachlan Haycock, Nan Cleven, Gerard Tan

ADVERTISING NGIV T: (03) 9576 0599

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

MAILING ADDRESS

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

TELEPHONE (03) 9576 0599

FAX (03) 9576 0431

EMAIL ngiv@ngiv.com.au www.ngiv.com.au

FINISHED ART Vale Graphics

M: 0409 88 77 06

E: angie@valegraphics.com.au

PRINTING Norwood Industries

6

Our front cover: The PP5 Initiative: Keep your PP5 Alive www.norwood.com.au

pp5.com.au

Executive update

Welcome to the first edition of Groundswell for 2023, our February edition. We hope that you had a safe and rejuvenating holiday season with loved ones and are feeling excited about all the possibilities and opportunities this year presents.

For many of our members, 2022 was another challenging year. While we continued to grapple with the implications and effects of COVID, unpredictable and extreme weather events posed even greater difficulties. Once again, we admired the strength and resilience of our members and their businesses and our ability as an industry to remain flexible and adaptable to the challenges we faced. NGIV will continue to support our members to thrive this year as we inevitably face unique challenges once again – we look ahead with hope and optimism and are confident that our members will enjoy great success.

In consideration of all that has changed and all we have learned in the past few years, the directors of Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV)

recognised the need to reassess our strategic plan last year. Throughout July 2022, the Board and staff participated in workshops with the goal of helping shape the association’s strategic framework for the next three years. We reflected on the past, identified key strategic tasks we delivered, assessed the impact of COVID on our lives and how its changed the way we do business. Additionally, we undertook some “blue sky” thinking, assessing NGIV’s strengths to understand what we do well and what makes us unique as an industry association. We then unpacked opportunities and directed our thinking to the circumstances that NGIV could leverage off for future success before an updated plan was developed and signed off by the Board in October 2022. Refer to page 25 for a summary of NGIV’s revised Strategic Plan to 2025.

Simon Gomme President, NGIV

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

Our 118th Annual General Meeting took place on Tuesday 22 November 2022 at Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery in Skye. A huge thanks to Symone Brown, Matt Mansfield and Will Mackintosh for hosting the evening. As well as reflecting on NGIV’s operational and financial performance in 2021/22, it was an opportunity to thank a departing Board member and welcome four new faces to the Board. Find out more on page 17.

In December 2022, the industry came together from across the state, country and abroad to celebrate Australian Horticultural Trials Week. Trials Week is a true celebration of the innovation and ingenuity that permeates the horticultural industry in Victoria, and it was wonderful this year to have the Garden Gurus, as seen on Channel 9, as our presenting partner. Congratulations to all exhibitors who took part in this special week. Find out more about them and what was on show during Australian Horticultural Trials Week 2022 on page 9.

Preparations for MIFGS are now well and truly underway and we expect 2023 to be one of the most exciting and enthralling shows yet. As the most impressive flower and garden show in the southern hemisphere already, we realise that’s a bold statement, but with some of the plans and ideas in place already, we’re confident that it will be a very special year.

In recent months, NGIV has welcomed three new staff members to our team – James Nicklen, our Communications and Marketing Specialist; Rachna Horn as Project Lead; and Jess Wozniak as our new Industry Engagement Manager. Each of them brings unique skills and experience to our highly skilled team and they look forward to contributing to the success of NGIV members’ businesses in the coming years.

Our mental health clinician, Gerard Tan, is also on-hand once again this year to support our members’ health and wellbeing and to aid in building socially and emotionally healthy workplaces Gerard can also facilitate referrals to the small business financial counselling and business advice and mentoring services. He looks forward to working with members again this year, having already provided support to many NGIV members. Connect with him at gerard.tan@each.com.au, or make a time to have a chat at calendly.com/gerardtan/30min.

The NGIV Board and team would like to wish all our members a happy, healthy and prosperous 2023 and we look forward to supporting your businesses and the broader horticultural industry this year.

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

Simon Gomme President, NGIV Powerplants Australia

The PP5 Initiative: Keep your PP5 Alive

By Norwood Industries

The PP5 Initiative (Initiative) is a productive joint venture between three major Australian businesses supplying horticulture: Norwood Industries, Garden City Plastics, and Polymer Processors. As a joint venture, our goal is to build an innovative infrastructure that allows our industry, and the communities that operate within, to sustainably consume and reuse our own Polypropylene plastic (PP5).

What is Polypropylene Plastic and why is it problematic?

PP5 is an endlessly recyclable plastic used prevalently across a wide range of industries, and the horticulture industry (Industry) is no different. PP5 reaches every garden centre, every retail and commercial production nursery in Australia in the form of plant pots, punnets, trays, labels, and stakes. The Industry sells over 12 million kilograms of PP5 as finished goods per year. Although black polypropylene is recycled material, currently only 10% of what we manufacture in horticulture per year is recycled again – almost all by us!

Why? The Industry has historically used PP5 recycled from other post-industrial polypropylene and often colours its PP5 ‘carbon black’ to standardise the colour of the recycled material and enhance its UV stability for use in full sun. However, this colouring makes the PP5 unrecognisable on Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) sortation lines, thus creating millions of kilograms of recyclable landfill, even when it is placed in kerbside recycling systems.

But we’ve found a solution that’s easy for everyone to love!

What is our solution?

We could not idly sit by knowing that millions of kilograms of PP5 were ending up in landfill every year. Even worse: because PP5 is so widely utilised, Australia imports additional millions of kilograms per year. We have the technology to recycle

‘carbon black’ PP5, we have the infrastructure, and we have the demand. All we needed was the Initiative.

To that end, we have developed a sustainable circular model whereby the PP5 sold to Horticulture by us is returned to us and converted into ‘polymer granules’ that are then remoulded into a form that can be resold. We started collecting 4,000 kilograms of PP5 in 2021 and were collecting 100,000 kilograms per month in the second half of 2022! That’s 10% of the PP5 the Industry sells!

Today our community spans over 100 collection partners engaging with the Initiative to recycle end-of-use PP5 products Our partners range from national hardware chains to family operated nurseries. Together we have installed over 700 collection sites across Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and South Australia, with ACT and Tasmania expected to join imminently.

How did we get here?

First, we had to develop the infrastructure. We have seven major shipping and processing facilities all around Australia to convert end-of-use PP5 products to polymer granules, including a specialised facility in Queensland that sanitises collected PP5 of an invasive fire ant species harmful to other ecosystems before the PP5 is transported interstate. We then expanded our existing delivery and transportation network so that PP5 products can be collected and delivered to Melbourne for manufacturing without any cost to the community.

Next, we had to engage our industry community. To amplify the collective action, we now run education and awareness campaigns regarding how our community can collaborate with the Initiative.

We market ourselves online via our:

» the PP5.com.au website

» the PP5 Recycling For Schools App

» social media on Instagram and Facebook.

We also engage our community directly via:

» various commercial Industry events

» conferences with Industry peak bodies and the public

» talkback radio interviews

» displays at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

» Horticultural Society events

» delegations to State Parliaments.

Underlying these campaigns is our collaboration with various organisations with the platforms to extend our reach such as ‘Recycle Mate’ (a partnership between the Australian Council of Recycling, and the federal government), and Greenlife Industry Australia (GIA).

Finally, we needed commercial partners to host our collection sites. As our goals resonated with the values of our community, we had no shortage of interest from prospective partners. However, hosting collection sites incur some level of expense. These expenses made some prospective partners reluctant to sign onto our Initiative at first. But as we built the Initiative’s brand and reputation, the more members of the public have come to expect our collection sites at their preferred retailers, the stronger the reputational benefits of hosting our collection sites have become.

Our commercial partners include, among others: Bunnings and Mitre 10, Flower Power, Diggers Club and Diaco’s. The organic demand for more collection sites is now so overwhelming that we anticipate having over 1000 collection sites by 2025.

Our vision is to inspire every industry and community utilising polymers, not just ours, to take a leaf out of our book and create a more sustainable tomorrow.

PP5 Initiative display at the gates of GrowMaster, Grampians.

What have we achieved so far?

Since the Initiative’s launch in 2020, we have collected over a million kilograms of PP5 to recycle that would have otherwise been sent to landfill. We have fostered a community of over 100 partners, not to mention the countless members of the public. Our partners have installed over 700 collection bin sites that deliver otherwise end-of-use PP5 to one of our shipping and processing facilities.

The key to our success has been developing an infrastructure that adds benefit to all contributing participants. Our Initiative not only supports, promotes, and strengthens sustainable green life production in our communities, it also makes the process as economically viable and convenient as possible. However, our greatest achievement might just be the community that we’ve built with help from growers, retailers, like-minded individuals and organisations who all want to do their fair share to responsibly and sustainably consume and reproduce PP5.

How can you contribute?

Do you have any end-of-use PP5, and want to do your part?

If you’re an end user, please visit pp5.com.au to either find your nearest PP5 recycler or enter a request for a collection site to be installed near you!

Australian Horticultural Trials Week

Across four amazing days late last year, NGIV and Australia’s top breeders, growers, and allied businesses came together to deliver a truly memorable Trials Week. The week was an opportunity to discover exciting new product lines, visit some of Australia’s finest propagators and growers and to enjoy networking with industry colleagues from all over the country and overseas.

Trials Week 2022 was held from 6–9 December and was proudly brought to you by our presenting partners The Garden Gurus.

As is tradition, Trials Week kicked off with a busy and bustling Trade Day. Being the last Trade Day for the year, attendance was excellent, and all were in joyous spirits in the approach to the holiday season. There was an impressive number of interstate and overseas guests to Trade Day, all of whom were dazzled by the quality and variety of what was on offer, and this truly set the tone for the week. The prevailing sentiment expressed by many exhibitors and visitors was that, after years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, Trials Week was back

The excitement could be felt too at the Trials Week breakfast held at Ball Australia. Offering tours of their site, it was not only a fantastic networking opportunity but also a chance to see some world-class facilities in action.

The Garden Gurus

With our presenting partners The Garden Gurus along for the ride, they were blown away by the overwhelming hospitality and community shown in the Victorian industry. Production Coordinator, Jessica Tilbury, saw Trials Week as, “A beautiful way to open the doors and introduce each other in the gardening

industry to their facilities to exemplify what they have been working on. And whether that be in a way to teach and inform, or a way to proudly show the hard work and what it has resulted in. It’s also an exciting opportunity for people who aren’t from the industry to garner a better understanding of how our beloved plants come to be as remarkable as they are.”

She continued, “The sheer volume of stories that can come out of the gardening industry in Victoria is outstanding. By the end of the week my head was spinning with ideas to bring to the Garden Gurus storyboard for 2023. From the years of breeding out of Ball Australia to get impatiens to have a high resistance to Downy Mildew, to the incredible array of colours bursting out of the blooms from JD Propagation, it truly was a sight to see.

The next step is to get the message out there. The Garden Gurus provides the perfect platform to do this. Our much loved and trusted presenters can present and share these stories to a large audience across Australia. I’m looking forward to the future in the gardening and nursery industry, and what 2023 will bring!”

Ball Australia

Over the past two years, Ball Australia have been successful in adapting their Trials Week offering to adhere to travel restrictions, but this Trials Week they welcomed a return to ‘normal’ along with people from across the country and the globe. With such an impressive, growing operation, Ball Australia understands how much people appreciate the opportunity to see their processes in action and used Trials Week to highlight some new facilities at the Skye site, including new greenhouses and stock houses.

Ball Australia’s Managing Director Paul Boland knows what customers want. “Our theme is always about colour,” he said. And as always there was plenty of colour on display for visitors When asked about some of the new products that people have gravitated towards, Paul pointed to some stunning dahlias, before showing off two new colours of Angelonias – fuchsia bicolour and violet bicolour – the vibrant flowers of which are sure to attract customers and pollinators alike. Another “impressive” standout, he said, were the begonias, which were shown in new colours for Trials Week – the Begonia Dragon Wings-White is particularly eye-catching. It grows lush and vigorous with angel-wing leaves and large blooms, creating a dramatically different look and with its “bulletproof” , easy-care nature, customers will enjoy this plant for many years.

Summing up the week, Paul’s highlight was the fact that everyone has been able to come to Ball Australia in person this year. “It certainly has been a successful week considering the last few years that we’ve had with COVID,” he said. “It’s been an opportunity for all our customers to come in and travel. It’s been great. We’ve gone back to the original Trials Week format, which is exciting.”

Representatives from allied exhibitor, ICL.

Haars Nursery

The Haars Nursery team showcased an extensive range of new and innovative plant genetics, which will be introduced to the Australian market during 2023 and 2024. The team have been expanding partnerships internationally, enabling them to promote, market and distribute leading plant genetics, working with breeding partners who continually innovate to provide new and improved plants with a focus on breeding varieties that are heat tolerant, disease resistant and maintain good natural growth habits.

Having been involved in Trials Week for several years now, Kylie Balmain says that Haars always display what they feel are the strongest selections in different colours as well as the best of their new products. She says that the nursery listens to what growers and retailers say and what people gravitate towards. This Trials Week, the bicolour Dahlias were a real standout.

Like so many other exhibitors, the Haars team were thrilled to see people being able to travel more freely once again this Trials Week. Reflecting on what Trials Week means to the industry, Kylie summed up: “It’s such a such a lovely statement from the industry to politicians, educators, journalists, and a reminder to people already in the industry: we’re a force.”

Fleming’s Nurseries

Fleming’s Nurseries were excited to be a part of Trials Week for the first time in 2022. For Fleming’s, a business that has long been committed to trialling the newest and most innovative varieties and has always been proactive in their planning for the future, Trials Week was an opportunity to show visitors show much of what they do well, year in, year out. Research and Innovations Manager, Leanne Gillies, said that while Trials Week was in many ways “business as usual” for Fleming’s, it also represented the first time the nursery has ever showcased all their new varieties in the one place. Their ability to source and cultivate these new varieties is supported by the strong relationships they have nurtured with overseas breeders.

Trials Week also presented the perfect opportunity for Fleming’s to introduce their new evergreen shrub Distylium Originating in China and refined by the nursery’s US breeding partners, Distylium are highly useful and exceptionally versatile; it is tough, hardy and highly adaptable. The ‘Vintage Jade’ variety offers gardeners and landscapers a shrub with glossy, vibrant, evergreen foliage that can cope in almost any situation, while the ‘Cinnamon Girl’ variety features delightful foliage, which emerges with bronze and copper tones before developing to a deep green – it is in their words, “the perfect all-rounder”

Leanne and Daniel with CraigTaberner at Fleming’s

CraigTaberner, Jen Patience, JessTilbury,Trevor Cochrane and Dan Patience in JD Propagation’s Kaleidoscope of Colour Garden.

JD Propagation

This Trials Week, JD Propagation teamed up with breeders Dummen Orange and Hartwig Bull to create a ‘Kaleidoscope of Colour’. The purpose-built garden was filled with a rich variety of annuals, perennials, and pot plants and included excellent bedding plants, such as Anthurium, Coleus, Calibrachoa, Petunia, Pelargonium, Lavender, Sunbeckia, Streptocarpus and many more.

JD Propagation see Trials Week as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products, both existing and new, but Jen Patience has said, “Best of all it’s a great way to catch up with the wider industry”

Helix Australia’s Adrian Parsons was also onsite to introduce visitors to the new Waxflower ‘Local Hero’. Bred by Kings Park and Botanic Gardens in Perth, ‘Local Hero’ is a stunning compact landscape plant featuring masses of dainty pink blooms in early spring. Helix Australia has commissioned a special Waxflower ‘Local Hero’ label, with a royalty of $1 from each plant sold donated to SAS Resources Fund.

Dummen Orange

It was brilliant to see everyone out and about again during the Australia Horticultural Trials,’ said Matthew Curtis, Dummen Orange’s Business Development Manager for Australia and New Zealand. ‘Our Lavender La Diva series was a huge hit,

CraigTaberner with the Dummen Orange team

along with the Argyranthemums, Pelargoniums, Bidens, Osteospermums, Petunias, Coleus, Anthuriums and Calibrachoas. Thank you to all the growers and retailers for visiting and supporting the Dümmen Orange genetics at JD Propagation.’

Greenhills Propagation Nursery/ Touch of Class Plants

Plantfest was back again for 2022. Presented by Greenhills Propagation Nursery and Touch of Class Plants, there was something for every visitor, whether they were growers, retailers, or members of the media.

The team know that nothing quite beats getting up close to see plants in person, so after adapting their offering to the online space last year, Greenhills Propagation Nursery and Touch of Class Plants this year created outdoor pop-up gardens, which featured an array of new and exciting plants. Adding some beautiful, vibrant colour to the gardens, a real standout was the Lazy Daisy osteospermums in three gorgeous new shades: Copper, Apricot and Antique.

“We had a really good response from visitors who attended PlantFest,” said Mark Harrison. “We had a lot of feedback that there was a good range of new varieties and “something for everyone.”

“Nandina Twilight and Heuchera Black Forest Cake were standouts, as well as some the impressive natives we are managing like Grevillea Bloodline and Grevillea Red Robin.

Trials Week gave us the opportunity to showcase the new genetics from breeders we work with. With interstate and international attendances increasing every year it shows how strong the Victorian nursery industry is.”

Allied Exhibitors – Evergreen Connect, ICL, Garden City Plastics, Norwood, Powerplants, Proptec, Super Starters

Trials Week is not only about the plants but is also about the latest innovations and technologies in the horticultural and allied industries. Throughout the week, there were demonstrations and displays from Allied Exhibitors, without whom the week would not be what it is.

Once again, Trials Week demonstrated what is so amazing about the thriving and dynamic horticultural industry. We’re already looking forward to Trials Week 2023.

March Groundswell 2023 will be a special consumer-focused edition offered to all attendees of the Melbourne Flower & Garden Show.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage the army of gardening enthusiasts visiting the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most-loved horticultural event.

Contact NGIV on (03) 9576 0599 or comms@ngiv.com.au for more information or to secure your spot.

A New Generation of JFT Nurseries

By James Nicklen

For over 30 years, siblings Russell James, Colin James and Heather Sands – together with Heather’s husband, David, and Russell’s partner, Lyn – have worked to build the business started by their parents Beryl and Murray James in 1981. And now, in a logical step for a business with such a long family history, they will be stepping back to pass the business on to the third generation of JFT Nurseries. At the end of June, Andrew James, Renee Byrne, Chris Sands and Billie Hicken will be officially taking over the reins of the family business.

Located in Silvan in the Dandenong Ranges, JFT Nurseries grow across 100 acres in a region known for its rich volcanic soil and high rainfall – it’s an ideal location and the perfect conditions for growing strong, healthy trees. With a team of approximately 40 staff, JFT Nurseries take the quality of their stock very seriously and pride themselves on delivering the best trees to retail and advanced tree nurseries Australia wide

The company grows an extensive range of fruiting trees including apples, cherries, plums, peaches and nectarines, just to name a few. Among their range of flowering trees you’ll find lilacs, prunus, cherries and crab apples, while their deciduous ornamentals include maples, ash, poplars, birch, elms and many more. They also have a large range of weeping and standard trees. Over the past 5 years, JFT Nurseries have also been building on their range of potted stock, with an emphasis on dwarf fruiting trees and other popular varieties, in order to provide year-round supply to their customers.

JFT Nurseries are well-recognised and respected by the nursery industry, with their two main priorities being to produce a top-quality tree (at a competitive price) and to ensure their clients receive personalised and friendly service.

This is not something that will change once they step back from the business. Heather explains, “The business itself is not going to change. The product will be the same and the quality is still going to be there. That’s the main thing we’re renowned for.” She continues, “Andrew, Chris and Billie have been in the business for over 10 years, with Renee coming onboard 3 years ago. They have been embracing more responsibilities over the past few years and we’re happy and confident to step back and for them to take it on.”

Indeed, on and off over the last 5 years, the ‘kids’ (as Heather and Colin affectionately call them when discussing the change) have been managing many aspects of the business themselves.

Chris Sands, Andrew James, Renee Byrne and Billie Hicken

Colin says that during that time, they have let them do their own thing but have been there to offer guidance and solutions when needed. He says that he’ll still be working “in the background” for the next few years, but he’s confident that the kids have what it takes to successfully manage the demands of the nursery and to honour JFT Nurseries’ name and reputation “We’ve all got the same mindset,” Colin says of the family. “Customers and quality come first. Grow good quality products and the customers come to you.” This is something that’s been ingrained in the new team, he believes.

Both Heather and Colin say that they’ll miss working when the time finally comes to move on. “It’s been our life,” Heather says “I’ve enjoyed the atmosphere and the people I work with, the customers and keeping them happy.” But she’s looking forward to more time on the beach, she says with a smile, while Colin too looks forward to more time to relax.

Speaking with Billie, Chris, Andrew and Renee, there’s a real sense of excitement about the changes to come. And for each of them, there’s a feeling of pride that they can continue a business with such an important place in their family’s history. Renee says, “It’s a real honour to be a part of this next chapter at JFT. It has always been such a big part of my life and means so much that we can keep the family legacy going.” Chris echoes this sentiment, “to be the ‘new generation’ of JFT means I can continue something that my grandparents started and that my family have built up to be what it is now,” while Andrew says he is “proud to continue the work in the business that the family has built for generations.”

Along with the excitement, there are also some nerves, understandably. But ultimately that comes from a place of the team wanting to continue to deliver the quality and service that JFT Nurseries are known for. Billie expresses his admiration for the way the business has been built into what it is today.

RETAIL STATE OF PLAY

SPONSORED BY:

Inviting all Garden Centres to be part of Garden Releaf 2023 on Sunday 19 March

Yes, Garden Releaf is on again in 2023 after a two-year pause due to Covid. It’s a Garden Centres of Australia (GCA) initiative. You will know that you, your customers, media and suppliers have raised over $350,000 for Beyond Blue since 2016. That is excellent BUT we are changing the Cause we support in 2023 to another very worthwhile cause. It’s called Mito Foundation. Now that is interesting! The Mito document tells you all you need to know about Mito. It is an excellent cause.

View the document at: https://gardenreleaf.com.au/wp-content/ uploads/2022/08/MitoFoundation-Introduction-GCA.pdf

Beyond Blue was great, but it is such a large organisation that your donations were swallowed up in the system. They were not wasted but we could not track them. Even in the very early days now, the ideas and suggestions from Mito are being very helpful. We will have social media tiles you can use to promote the cause and your business. You need to request them from us though.

What will Garden Releaf (GR) do for my Business?

Good question! Well, provided you embrace GR, enthuse your staff about GR, then you will not only bring new and existing customers through your doors, you will gain PR and goodwill, particularly locally. Shop local are buzz words currently.

We’ve been bust promoting GR. Our Media Ambassadors are all on board too including National Ambassador, Graham Ross. Your investment will be less than 2021 with GCA and suppliers subsidising GR for 2023. GCA members: $245 plus GST covers posters etc. Non-members: $345.

More information to come but please register now for Mito assets for social media and Garden Releaf.

Read more at www.gardenreleaf.com.au. Contact leigh.siebler@bigpond.com OR gca.julie@gmail.com for more information.

Garden Inspiration Group event

Lastly, the Garden Inspiration Group (GIG) annual function will be held on Monday 6 March (the day before Trade Day). This event for Independent Garden Centres and key staff will be emceed by well-known media personality Chloe Thompson and will be held at The Manningham in Bulleen from 6 pm. Contact leigh.siebler@bigpond.com to book.

Follow GCA on Facebook for updates www.facebook.com/gardenreleafaustralia

Leigh Siebler

Garden Centres of Australia

leigh.siebler@bigpond.com

M: 0409 889 779

www.gardenreleaf.com.au

“My excitement grows from being able to continue that moving forward, and the nerves probably come from wanting to make sure we continue the quality of product we supply our loyal customers that they have been used to over the last 40 odd years,” he says.

While there may be some nerves, the team are reassured by the expertise they can draw on. They value the guidance and input of the people who have been – and will continue to be –knowledgeable and supportive mentors. “While the transition is in process, it is really important for us to keep our standards and quality strong with the hope that as we move forward, we may be able to grow the business gradually whilst keeping up with the demand,” Billie says. “We are always on the lookout for new varieties to expand into so that our customers have a good selection of products to fulfill their needs.”

Chris is already looking ahead too and is considering the direction of the nursery in the future. “I think exploring new technologies and innovations will help us grow as a business and be more productive,” he says. “I can see the container side of the business growing and complementing the bare root trees.”

It’s set to be an exciting time for JFT Nurseries and the team over the coming years. This ‘new generation’ are driven and committed to continuing to do what the business does best. “I get to work with some great people and build relationships with our amazing, loyal customers and suppliers,” Renee says. “The team does an incredible job of growing some of the best quality trees in the country, so that will undoubtedly be our number one goal to continue going forward. JFT is a successful business with a great reputation, and we have no intention of that changing.”

NGIV’s 118th Annual General Meeting

Our thanks to all those members who were able to join us for our 118th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 22 November 2022.

The AGM was held at Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery and, for those unable to attend in person, it was also streamed live online. It provided the opportunity to give all attendees a report on NGIV’s operating performance, financial position and achievements during the 2021/22 financial year. At the same time, we said goodbye to several NGIV Directors and welcomed new ones NGIV’s President Simon Gomme chaired the AGM and presented a summary of what was an extraordinary year due to the ongoing pandemic. He thanked the Board of Directors and the NGIV team for their contributions, highlighting the leadership efforts of NGIV CEO Craig Taberner in what had been another difficult but successful year for the association.

In thanking the NGIV Board for their continued support and commitment, Craig said, “We have a Board with expertise and insight that spans the entire horticultural industry, and their input, professionalism and competency has been invaluable.”

There was special mention of the outgoing directors Symone Brown, Joel Vanderuit and Adrian McCarthy, all of whom had to step down from the NGIV Board after two terms in office, as per the constitution.

All three were acknowledged for their great contributions to NGIV during what has been a most challenging period for not only their businesses but the association itself, as we came to grips with the impacts of the pandemic.

In his report, the president made special mention of Scott Buckland who had stepped down during the year due to ill health, and well wishes for a speedy recovery were extended. Simon added that Scott would always be welcome to return to the Board when he’s in a position to do so.

Board elections

Simon Gomme was re-elected as president for a further term, while Steve Biemond (owner, Biemond Nurseries), Sarah Burgess (owner, Ausflora Pacific), Ian Firth (manager, Warners Nurseries) and Matthew Mills (COO, The Diggers Club) were elected unopposed as directors for three-year terms. It’s always wonderful to welcome new faces, new thinking and fresh impetus on to the Board of Directors.

The AGM concluded on a bright note, with Simon reminding attendees that we are entering a phase of significant industry growth as highlighted in the Realisation of Growth Opportunities report. Plants and, more broadly greenlife, are being appreciated in ever-increasing numbers by a new audience; it’s an exciting time to be part of our industry.

The Waxflower ‘Wow Che Bello’ Factor

By Ron van der Ploeg

In Italy, Pescia-based cooperative Flora Toscana does an excellent job coordinating the production and sales of Helix Australia’s potted waxflower, aka Chamelaucium uncinatum Success has many fathers, and the potted waxflower’s rise to prominence in global ornamental horticulture is no exception. Over the past two decades, many people on different continents have worked hard to help horticulturists worldwide grow more customer-centric pot waxflower varieties, unique in colour, flower size, shelf life, and timing.

The unmissable link between breeders and commercial partners

The key to success has been to link Australian specialist plant breeder Digby Growns – an authority in the field of Western Australia plant genera – from Kings Park and Botanic Garden (KPBG) in Perth with commercial partners Adrian Parsons from flower breeding company Helix Australia and Craig Musson, director of flower exporter Wafex. This partnership has been blooming since the early 2010s. Thanks to the triple helix approach with the Australian government, academia and the industry, it has led to a suite of fantastic waxflower hybrids, innovating waxflower together and sharing both costs and revenues.

Italo-Australian partnership

While the waxflower is well-known on the global horticultural scene as an outstanding filler flower, the potted waxflower, as a showstopping plant in pots and containers, is relatively new, at least on the old continent.

Thanks to an Italo–Australian collaboration, potted waxflower is finding its way to European markets. Currently, Italy hosts a sizeable production of potted waxflower, with an estimated production output of 250,000 units grown by an estimated 10–15 growers. With a growing market share in supply volumes, the potted waxflower 2.0 from Helix Australia is gaining momentum on the Italian peninsula and beyond.

Nearly 20 per cent of Italian-grown potted waxflower sells plants through the Pescia-based Flora Toscana cooperative, which emerged in 2004 following the merger of Tuscany’s floral wholesalers Toscoflora and Geoflor Toscana.

The new generation of potted waxflower

Luca Quilici from Flora Toscana, who is currently responsible for the business’ R&D and export, says, “The real breakthrough occurred when Helix Australia and Flora Toscana joined forces,” and that the new generation of potted waxflower from Helix

This is a condensed version of an article that was published in the November 2022 issue of www.floracultureinternational.com. It has been reproduced with permission from the author.

Australia provides a much-needed breath of fresh air. “In terms of Flora Toscana member growers, there’s a 100 per cent uptake of Helix’s improved waxflower varieties. The same goes for newcomers. We are actively seeking to increase production volumes. More recently, 6-0,000 potted ‘Snowflake’ dropped out of production in Portugal, so there is room for expansion. Next spring, for example, growers from Latina – south of Rome – will harvest their first potted waxflower.”

According to Quilici, the benefits of Helix’s PBR-protected cultivars vary. “They are truly amazing. All of them have a longer shelf life than existing varieties. Greater product durability helps to extend sales as large-flowered cultivars go hand in hand with larger flower buds. These can be harvested more prematurely. The colours are bright and come in unique tones and hues, putting on a great show for consumers.”

Passionate about the job

Quilici is delighted to work with Helix Australia, the company’s managing director, providing advice and support when needed. “We love working with Adrian Parsons, who is passionate about his job. We regularly catch up in Europe or Australia, and our greatest achievement so far is that we now have a strong team in place, including growers and salespeople, which will result in even greater things in the years to come.”

Production planning

In coordinating production, Flora Toscana’s crop technician regularly meets with growers. What does it take to succeed in a potted waxflower crop? Quilici responds, “The grower needs to keep an eye on production planning, particularly during the pruning season. If you prune plants too early, you will have a not-so-perfectly shaped plant. Conversely, your plants will not flower if you prune too late.”

The best innovations are never finished. What does Quilici think can help growers and traders to make potted waxflowers even more successful? “The pipeline of naturally compact waxflower hybrids coming through Helix Australia’s breeding programme is very exciting. This will reduce the cost of pruning and growth regulators and deliver a wider range of colours and bloom size far superior to the current ‘Snowflake’ variety, which dominates the potted waxflower market.”

Asked about the outlook for the new potted waxflower spring sales season, Quilici concludes, “We will continue to ramp up production in Italy and Spain. I believe potted waxflower has much-untapped potential, and we see a growing demand for the Helix varieties.”

Adrian Parsons and Luca Quilici

A blooming NEW digital experience from Oasis

By Stephanie Gorst

Oasis Horticulture has launched its brand-new website to better serve both consumers and wholesale customers. Offering a fresh, modern look with comprehensive product information, an easy-to-use search function, and an enhanced stockist locater. The redesign’s key feature is the introduction of a new online ordering portal with a live product availably list.

“The goal of this project was not only about modernising touch points with our customers and consumers but opening a new chapter in our story that is more relevant and approachable,” says David Jakobs, CEO, Oasis Horticulture.

Oasis's vision was to develop a new online digital experience from the ground up in a way that would truly engage and excite consumers and provide efficiencies to customers in new and innovative ways. The project took over 12 months from inception to customer roll out. Both the front-end user experience and backend development were carried out simultaneously to complete the project.

“We have numerous product lines and ranges, and it was important not only that we could tell the story of each one to a consumer, but we could provide a simple user journey to discover them,” says Mr Jakobs. “Then we also needed

to ensure we could offer these same products for our customers to purchase in an easy manner.”

The new platform offers a vast array of information about the company and its extensive product range. The website provides a comprehensive guide to all available herbs, vegetables, flowers, and foliage products with specifications and growing tips. Additionally, users can find many delicious recipes, insightful videos and DIY projects for inspiration when growing their Oasis products.

In November, the online ordering platform was launched with the aim of providing an even better ordering experience for customers.

“The real motivation for creating the new look website was the inclusion of the Ordering Portal for our customers,” clarifies Mr Jakobs. “The concept of an online store is not new, and very few people haven’t made an online purchase.

However, we are excited to be able to offer real-time availability of our products to provide certainty in ordering that isn’t always available in the green-life industry.”

An important feature of the platform is the stock allocation during the ordering process. Once a product has been placed in the cart, they are secured for a certain time frame until checkout has been completed, assisting in guaranteeing customers receive what they have ordered.

“The website itself is connected into our inventory management system and can provide our customers with a real-time list of what is available on the ground,” Mr Jakobs continues. “For the first time we can provide a true indication of our stock levels, when customers are placing their orders, and increase the likelihood of receiving their order in full.”

Customers can monitor and review products going into their cart and track the accumulating order total. It’s also possible for customers to check previous orders placed online to track high-selling products, or so as not to forget regularly ordered favourites.

The entire ordering platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with each customer receiving one login to access

all account and delivery information; as well as the ability to view and order from any device.

“We have collected feedback from our customers over the years and found many write down an order while walking around their nurseries and garden centres, then send their order back to us via fax or email. Now using a mobile or table device, customers can place their order on the go,” says Mr Jakobs.

Interested in getting your business ordering online with Oasis?

Existing customers can contact the sales team on 1800 650 341 to be set up with an online account. Once online, browse through the wide selection of available products. Full product descriptions and images ensure that you get exactly what you need.

“Once customers are happy with their orders, they only need to review and check out,” explains Mr Jakobs. “The confirmation email that follows lets customers know that the stock has been assigned and will be delivered on their usual delivery day. Ordering from Oasis is now easier than ever before!”

You can experience the new Oasis website yourself by visiting www.oasishorticulture.com.au.

St Louis de Monfort’s School wins top prize at the 45th Victorian Schools Garden Awards Ceremony

By James Nicklen

On Thursday 24 November, over 400 teachers, education support staff and students from over 30 Victorian schools flocked to the Oak Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens for the 45th annual Victoria Schools Garden Awards Ceremony. After two years of online ceremonies, it was very special to be able to hold the event in person and celebrate the achievements of teachers and students together as a community.

Every school in attendance was recognised for their efforts and achievements with every school taking home an award; however, only one school could take home the most prestigious awards of the day, the Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award. It was awarded to St Louis de Monfort’s School.

The staff and students at Aspendale’s St Louis de Monfort’s Primary School recognise the undeniable link between green spaces and wellbeing and have been working towards creating a place of mindful and sustainable practices. The school’s grounds, especially the gardens, home to a wide range of animals and plants, play a major part in students’ journeys towards feeling connected to and nurtured by the environment around them. Visit the school and it’s easy to see just how fundamental gardening is to the school’s curriculum and culture. The school features all types of gardens – edible, sensory, indigenous and vertical – as well as a fernery, grapevines, along with chicken, guinea pig, turtle, lizard and frog enclosures to boot.

Grade 3 and 4 students, in particular, have experienced so much of what gardening has to offer, participating in Garden-to-Kitchen classes, enjoying garden spaces every recess and lunch time, all while being responsible for the care of the school’s animals, and being encouraged to play music and create art inspired by their time in the garden. St Louis de Montfort’s are truly deserving winners of the Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award this year and we’re sure they will continue to provide unique and inspiring educational experiences for all students.

NGIV and VSGP acknowledge and appreciate the work of all schools that incorporate gardening programs into their curriculum and school culture. We’re passionate about fostering a love for gardening and horticulture in future generations and recognise the important role schools play in offering enjoyable and engaging early experiences for students and commend the efforts that have been made to get involved in VSGP’s 2023 Grant and Award Programs. We would like to thank the Victorian Schools Garden Program’s incredible sponsors who recognise the benefit of involving students in outdoor learning; we greatly appreciate your continued support and contributions to the program. We also welcome the opportunity to develop new sponsorship partnerships in 2023 – if you would like to get involved, please contact NGIV or VGSP.

With so many amazing school programs showcased this year, we can’t wait for 2023. It’s sure to be another exciting year for VGSP.

The Victorian Schools Garden Program is proudly supported by

And the winners are:

Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award: St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School

Nursery & Garden Industry

Victoria – Most Engaging Student Garden for Play:

Avenel Kindergarten

Athol Road Primary School, Springvale

Maranatha Christian School, Officer

Maxicrop – Best Edible Garden Award:

Nilma Primary School

Newington Primary School

Footscray High School

P55 Recycling Champion Award

1st Athol Road Kindergarten, Springvale

2nd Athol Road Primary School, Springvale

3rd Yarra Primary School

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – Most Engaging Student Garden for Wellbeing Learning: Woodline Primary, Ceres Camberwell South Primary School Parade College, Bundoora

Independent Schools Victoria –Greatest Demonstrated Improvement of School’s Green Space Award: Glenallen School, Glen Waverley Whitehorse Primary School, Blackburn Altona College

Horticultural Media Victoria – Best School Garden Exhibiting Biodiversity: Diamond Creek Primary School Surfside Primary School, Ocean Grove Geelong Grammar School

Australian Growing Solutions Award: Campbellfield Heights Primary School

Fleming’s Nurseries Award: Bellarine Secondary College, Drydale

RB Landscape Award: Williamstown Primary School

Turf Victoria Award sponsored provided by Coolabah Turf: Whitehorse Primary School, Blackburn

State Award:

Wandin Yallock Primary School St Louis de Montfort’s Primary School Catholic Regional College, St. Albans

WandinYallock Primary School - State winners with Paul Crowe OAM

Kevin Heinze Perpetual Award and State Award winner, St Louis de Montfort's Primary School with Paul Crowe OAM

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

STRATEGIC PLAN TO 2025

Early in 2022, the directors of Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) decided it was time to reassess our strategic plan given the current plan was developed back in 2019 and having spent the last two years navigating the pandemic.

In July 2022, the Board and Staff participated in workshops with the goal of helping shape the association’s strategic framework for the next three years.

We reflected on the past, identified key strategic tasks we delivered, assessed the impact of COVID on our lives and how its changed how we do business. Additionally we undertook some “blue sky” thinking, assessed NGIV’s strengths to understand what we do well and also what makes us unique. We then unpacked opportunities and directed our thinking to the circumstances that NGIV could leverage off for future success

It was acknowledged that NGIV often punches above its weight for the resources at its disposal. COVID distractions were problematic for all businesses and industry bodies but NGIV shone through with consistent communications to help members and, if the office didn’t know the answer, our staff would find it. We ensured our industry could continue to trade when other sectors were closed down.

NGIV’s advocacy endeavours told a great story and, while often appearing intangible, the membership recognised the value evident during the pandemic. Members are telling us they regard NGIV membership as critical to their business success, with our full member numbers rising to over 300 for the first time in eight years.

NGIV is recognised for its professionalism and critical value and contribution to the Victorian economy, reflected by the industry report “Realisation of Growth Opportunities” , highlighting how our members provided the Victorian economy with $2.5 billion of economic worth and employing more than 24,100 people in 2020-21.

We know our industry comprises passionate, professional people, with our products inherently good for society and the environment and offering a solution to many of the problems faced by the modern world.

Nonetheless, there are many challenges facing industry: the impact of rising supply chain costs; labour shortages; attracting skilled labour and ongoing biosecurity concerns.

As we look to the future, there is a number of issues important to our industry and the association in general, with some of the more important ones identified and to be addressed being:

» Continue to establish and maintain relationships with all levels of government and actively advocate to the Victorian State government on NGIV related policy directives

» Raise the profile and awareness of our members, their businesses and the Victorian horticulture sector as an exciting career choice; we can connect people with nature and accommodate all

» Provide a membership-focused service to help grow the membership

» Create a skilled and qualified workforce

» Target the younger generation and implement a physical presence within the school environment

» Support our members to showcase and promote their industry, and utilise MIFGS as the external promotional vehicle

» Enhance our internal systems and processes to improve and track member engagement

» Reassess the brand – do we truly only represent nurseries and gardens or a broader supply chain

» Explore opportunities and increase mutually beneficial alliances that will drive a united green industry.

There is great optimism for the future, and as the industry report highlighted, 75 per cent of survey respondents indicated they expect growth and / or expansion in the next three to five years Your industry body understands this and, through the evolution of NGIV’s strategic plan, will support the desired growth.

However, success can only be achieved by all stakeholders having the determination and resourcefulness to overcome the challenges that face the industry.

Our members make significant contributions to our local economy, wellbeing and the livability of our communities. We will continue to make the case for even further support to drive the highest quality in our supply chains and economic activity.

We need continued teamwork, drive and passion for what we do, and as the revamped statistics indicate, we are not a cottage industry.

We need to ‘think big and act big’.

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

Strategic Plan to 2025

Founded in 1903, Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria (NGIV) is the peak industry body for the state’s horticultural sector, representing the interests of a sector worth $2.5 billion and employing over 24,100 people.

The NGIV strategic plan sets the 2022-2025 priorities for the association and this summary provides an overview of the identified strategies and activities that will help deliver our three key strategic themes.

Vision

A growing, united and sustainable horticultural industry for the advancement of our members and the health and well-being of the Victorian environment, communities and the economy.

Mission

NGIV is the peak body fostering excellence in the horticultural industry.

Core Values

Our values are fundamental to everything we do, we seek to:

» Act with transparency, honesty and integrity

» Be accountable for our actions and decisions

» Provide efficient, timely and welcoming service

Key Strategic Themes

1. Desirable membership – attract and retain members because our membership offer is desirable

2. Building better businesses – support our members to improve their businesses’ professionalism, performance and profit

3. Viable and sustainable industry – in a changing environment effectively advocate, promote and educate all stakeholders on behalf of our members

NURSERY & GARDEN INDUSTRY VICTORIA

Strategic Plan to 2025

Strategic Theme Individual Strategies

1. Desirable Membership

2. Build Better Businesses

1.1 Provide a membership focused service at all times

1.2 Enhance internal systems for improved service delivery

2.1 Increase members’ knowledge through the use of informative and educative programs

2.2 Build awareness and promote horticulture as an exciting career

2.3 Create a skilled and qualified horticulture workforce

2.4 Target the younger generation as potential consumers and/or future industry employees

2.5 Develop, support and protect our social license to operate by further implementing sustainable and community accepted practices

2.6 Provide opportunities for members to improve business performance and profit

2.7 Support our members to showcase and promote their industry

3. Viable and Sustainable Industry

3.1 Establish and maintain relationships with all levels of government in Victoria.

3.2 Promote the association as the peak horticultural industry body

3.3 Establish support systems to ensure industry sustainability

3.4 Explore opportunities and increase mutually beneficial alliances that will drive a united green industry

3.5 Advocate to address key national issues via GIA

3.6 Leverage off the MIFGS Brand to promote NGIV

3.7 Provide governance oversight

New members

Heritage Nursery (Retail)

Since 1996 the Heritage Nursery Yarralumla has grown to become Canberra’s premier garden center. Their qualified horticulturists offer expert advice on plants for the Canberra region. They pride themselves on high quality plants, gorgeous giftware and customer service. www.heritagenursery.com.au

Mama Kim (Retail)

Retail florist located in the bustling heart of Richmond. Situated on busy Victoria Street, Mama Kim offer a diverse range of specialty products.

Martino's Darebin Garden (Retail)

Originally opened in 1966 as a fruit and veg shop, Martino’s Darebin Garden in Thornbury sells fresh flowers and specialty plants.

Mojay Pots (Allied)

Mojay Pots is an independent Australianowned business supplying garden pots and feature pieces to garden centres and other resellers. Continuing the tradition of 40 years of great service and product range, Mojay Pots has developed some great new initiatives in recent years, including their B2B Portal for online wholesale ordering, and Augmented Reality (AR) view of their pots as a digital image in the real world via your mobile phone www.mojaypots.com.au

Monbulk Rose, Tree & Shrub Farm

(Production)

Wholesale Plant Nursery based in Monbulk Victoria that specialises in roses; deciduous trees and shrubs; and hedging and flowering pots.

Website coming soon at https://monbulkrtsfarm.com

Nugal Biik Plants and Seeds (Production)

Nugal Biik Plants and Seeds is a social enterprise native nursery producing indigenous tube-stock and seeds for regional revegetation and landscaping projects, with a focus on the Victorian Volcanic Plains. Species range from hardy natives for landscaping, to species needed for EVC specific revegetation works and threatened species reintroductions. Nugal Biik Plants and Seeds is based at Wollert Community Farm.

www.whittleseacommunityconnections. org.au

Remarkable Trees (Production)

Remarkable Tree grows trees for council and developers, plants, establishes trees. They also provide Horticultural consulting and Urban forest services.

www.remarkabletrees.com

Vegepod (Allied)

Vegepod is a raised container vegetable garden with self-watering wicking beds, protective canopy to deter pests. They are an Australian run company which only supports the independents. Vegepod are available in three sizes to fit every space; they can be placed on the ground, stand or trolley allowing for waist height gardening. Vegepods are made from food grade materials allowing for completely organic growing

www.vegepod.com.au

Waterfall Gully Cafe & Nursery (Retail)

A friendly cafe in a nursery setting. Great coffee, healthy eat-in or takeaway food options.

www.facebook.com/wfgcafeplants

Wildtech Plants (Production)

Specialise in the propagation of native plant tubestock including rare and hard to find species. They are accredited to send into TAS, WA and SA. They also have an online retail website.

www.wildtechnursery.com.au

A big welcome to our latest members, who have joined the NGIV and our growing community of horticultural businesses. We look forward to helping you build your business through a long and fruitful relationship.

Bringing the Outside in: Permaculture in the Workplace

By Gerard Tan

Permaculture is popularly known as a method of land management. Developed in the 1970s by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture was conceived in response to the challenges of industrial agriculture. As its name suggests, it was proposed as a method of permanent agriculture that would create productive ecosystems that could sustain people’s needs without degrading the environment.

At its core, permaculture is guided by three ethical maxims. ‘Earth care’ recognises the interdependence of all living systems, and stresses preserving and extending the natural environment. ‘People care’ calls attention to creating communities that support the well-being and health of all individuals, fostering social justice and inclusivity. ‘Fair share’ underscores the need to use and distribute resources in a way that meets the needs of all members of a community.

As its originators note, permaculture is a system of design. Its design principles are based in the field of ecology and incorporate perspectives from other disciplines, such as landscape geography and ethnobiology. Over the years, the permaculture principles have been adapted and applied to a variety of settings beyond agriculture, including business, community development and education.

Social permaculture is one such adaptation. It draws inspiration from permaculture’s take on connectivity and energy dynamics and can be applied to a wide range of social contexts, including organisations and workplaces, to create conditions that encourage nurturing, empowering relationships and promote wellbeing, collaboration, and creativity.

Applying social permaculture in the workplace could entail:

» Cultivating a sense of community – Creating opportunities for employees to connect with each other on a personal level, such as through regular team-building activities or social events, can help people get to know each other and break down silos.

» Building a positive workplace culture – Employees who feel valued and respected by management and their colleagues are more likely to feel a sense of belonging, to support one another and cooperate to achieve common goals.

Holmgren’s Permaculture Principles

David Holmgren

» Observe and interact

» Catch and store energy

» Obtain a yield

» Apply self-regulation and accept feedback

» Use and value renewable resources and services

» Produce no waste

» Design from patterns to details

» Integrate rather than segregate

» Use small and slow solutions

» Use and value diversity

» Use edges and value the marginal

» Creatively use and respond to change

For more, see https://www.ic.org/ social-permaculture-applying-theprinciples/

» Encouraging diversity and inclusion – A workforce that embraces diversity will have broader perspectives and a deeper understanding of issues and events, as well as more resilient responses. Considering the needs and perspectives of all employees, regardless of their background or identity, can create more inclusive and supportive work environments that promote engagement creativity and innovation.

» Fostering autonomy and ownership – Empowering employees to make decisions and supporting them with the resources to do their jobs effectively can increase a sense of ownership and self-motivation.

» Creating a sense of shared purpose and meaning –When employees feel that their work is meaningful and aligned with the organisation's overall goals and values, it can help to create a sense of motivation, engagement, and overall wellbeing.

Sources

» Embedding sustainability – Implementing sustainable practices in the workplace, such as recycling programs or energy-efficient practices, can help to create a culture of environmental responsibility and promote a sense of shared purpose.

» Supporting employee wellbeing – Recognising and mitigating psychosocial hazards in the workplace will reduce job strain. Employers can support wellbeing by encouraging and normalising health-giving habits such as regular breaks, mindfulness and help-seeking.

Applying these principles can have a positive impact on employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall organisational effectiveness. By creating a workplace that promotes collaboration, creativity, and employee wellbeing, organisations can build a more sustainable and resilient workforce that is better equipped to adapt to change and achieve its goals.

Brush (2016). Social Permaculture: Applying the Principles. Minnesota, USA: Foundation for Intentional Community. https://www.ic.org/social-permaculture-applying-the-principles/ Holmgren, D. (2020). Essence of Permaculture (Revised Edition). Seymour, Victoria: Melliodora Publishing.

Mollison, B. (2002). Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual.Tasmania: Tagari Publications. Starhawk (2016). Social Permaculture – What is it?. Minnesota, USA: Foundation for Intentional Community. https://www.ic.org/social-permaculture-what-is-it/

More information

Gerard is NGIV’s dedicated mental health clinician/consultant, and provides direct support to individuals and businesses. The service is free to NGIV members. Scan the QR code to book an appointment.

www.evergreenconnect.com.au

Online ordering for customers either via the EvergreenConnect portal or via your email or website which feeds directly into your sales orders, therefore removing the necessity for data entry (can add any orders in manually if needed).

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SUPER BLOOM A field guide to flowers for every gardener

Super Bloom is a reinvention of the flower and gardening encyclopaedia. From Achillea to Zinnia, here are 75 plant profiles of the most beautiful flowers and foliage to bring shape, colour and beauty to any garden.

This is a love letter to flowers. It is a manifesto for maximum plants, maximum flowers, maximum beauty. It is perfect for the current time and trends. It also shows how to create your own super bloom.

Leading plant specialist Jac Semmler revives the appeal of treasured, old-world beautiful flowers for the modern garden. This is a comprehensive gardening how-to for beginners and experts alike, including:

» Care and growing notes, including notes on varieties

» Natural parameters (such as location, climate and aspect)

» Where to source your plants, with suppliers all over the world

» Plant biology (such as how root systems work and the importance of light, transpiration and photosynthesis)

» Soil ecology (with notes on the different types of soil, how you can test your own garden soil and how to improve various types for planting)

» Must-have and nice-to-have tools

» How to save your own seeds and organise your seed stash

» Tips on harvesting, conditioning and arranging cut flowers

Look out for the incredible array of Planting Partners for each plant, whether you want to plant a garden that flowers in succession, group your plants by height or colour, find flowers with similar growing conditions, or foliage friends to highlight blooms.

An innovative, immersive photographic style by Sarah Pannell illustrates techniques such as planting seeds, caring for seedlings, transplanting flowers, propagating and dividing rhizomes, training plants as well as offering a breathtaking bee’s eye view of the garden.

Natural beauty nourishes something deep within us. Whether it’s seeing a meadow of grasses or wildflowers, watching nasturtiums run rampant, marvelling at the smell of a particular rose, or watching the tulip heads wilt and drop, these are the moments that make us human, that connect us to the world and remind us that beauty is everywhere. Super Bloom is a modern gardening classic.

Super Bloom is available now at www.thesuperbloom.com.au and at all great bookstores.

The Garden Gurus are seeking presenters

The Garden Gurus returns to Channel 9 nationally this year for its 21st year on Australian television. Victoria is home to our biggest audience, and we want to show more fabulous gardens and share gardening tips and ideas while showcasing industry innovation and new genetics, delivering better, more beautiful garden results.

We have a whole new generation of people discovering gardening and we are looking for the next generation of presenters to join our team. We are looking for two presenters; you will need solid horticulture or landscaping knowledge and must have the ability to connect with younger viewers in our demographic (20–30-year-olds). We provide training and direction in your role.

If you are looking for a fun way to share your knowledge and passion of gardening, send your CV to jessica@guruproductions.tv. Along with your CV, please include a short video (approximately 1 minute) of yourself presenting to the camera – think of it as a way to show off your knowledge and presenting skills!

Watch the Garden Gurus now at https://www.thegardengurus.tv.

What is infobesity – and why should it be on HR’s radar?

By Lachlan Haycock

We’ve all felt it: the tension, the inability to focus, the pounding headache that comes from being overwhelmed by information. Information overload at work, or anywhere in our lives, is a killer of productivity and creativity. It leaves us feeling worn out and unmotivated, and it makes us worse workers. Also known as “infoxication” , “data smog” or “infobesity” , information overload is a concept likely familiar to anyone who’s participated in an “always-on” working culture, doomscrolled on social media or witnessed the explosion of remote work and its associated pressures.

In fact, the prevalence of infobesity is rising. A recent survey from OpenText found that 80 per cent of Australians fall victim to information overload due to factors such as information being available around the clock and an overabundance of apps and devices. These factors, according to the report, are upping stress levels and contributing to a less equipped workforce.

‘It doesn’t surprise me,’ says author, public speaker and work futurist Lynne Cazaly of these findings. ‘Most of us have felt information overload.’

Some people say their brain feels ‘fried’ by the end of a long day, she explains, or emerge from meetings feeling dull and desensitised to any new stimulus.

Cazaly unpacks the two main ways an overload of information can manifest, and the symptoms it creates:

Rapidly – when an onrush of information, such as at a hands-on brainstorming meeting, takes hold.

‘In the middle of an important meeting, you suddenly feel full, like you can’t take in another thing in that moment,’ she writes. Gradually – when the information builds and builds across the working day.

‘At the end of each day, you feel dull and unable to absorb anything else.’

Both avenues reduce your capacity to do good work, she says, with the overload of information not only causing low mood and fatigue but also potentially weakening the immune system.

A work futurist explains how to combat information overload – and why you should avoid multitasking at all costs.

Works well across all vegetable and ornamental crop lines

Juggling multiple tasks at once has long been considered a trademark of a highly successful worker, but a more recent understanding has emerged on the dangers of multitasking.

‘We know multitasking is bad for productivity, but it’s rotten for cognitive load,’ says Cazaly. Spreading our attention across three, five, ten tasks instead of just one ups the chance of the noxious data smog descending.

Moving from one task to another without stopping to focus one’s attention on any individual task can actually lessen your functional IQ.

A close cousin of multitasking is multiscreening.

‘Multiscreening is quite common,’ says Cazaly. ‘Say you’re watching a show on Netflix with the family, but you’re also scrolling through your work emails.’

This shifts your focus between two very different poles, lessening attention on both ends and contributing to stress and panic working.

Instead, ‘if you took 10 minutes to check your emails and then said, ‘Now I’m going to sit down with my family, you would actually feel better,’ she says. And both productivity and wellbeing would improve.

How to combat information overload

To lighten one’s information load – and shed a few metaphorical “infokilos” – Cazaly shares her top dos and don’ts for managing information overload at work.

Do: A brain dump

Step one is to alleviate the burden on your brain with a ‘brain dump’.

‘It’s called externalising information,’ says Cazaly. ‘Whatever is running around your head, get it out. Therapists and counsellors talk about this for when you’re feeling overwhelmed emotionally, but it’s also great for documenting your to-do list.’

In practice, this could mean grabbing a piece of paper, pulling up a fresh Google Doc or opening the voice recorder app on your phone, and letting loose with whatever’s on your mind.

Think a list of tasks to accomplish today, your ideas for a new work project, or simply your frustration with how your manager has handled a recent new hire.

Then, by virtue of having stored your thoughts separately in something of a ‘second brain’, you’re able to draw on that information intentionally, at your own pace and without feeling overwhelmed.

Do: Take breaks

‘If you’re not taking breaks, going to back-to-back meetings, and multitasking, then you develop a worse ability to discern the importance of information,’ says Cazaly.

The solution here is simple time management.

Don’t: Overstuff your presentations

A fairly easy technique to reduce the cognitive load placed on colleagues, according to Cazaly, is trimming back on your slide decks.

Don’t: Reply to emails (straight away)

Here’s one that will catch out countless workers: give clearing your email inbox first thing in the morning a miss – Cazaly says it gives a “delusion of progress.”

‘Some people like to use email to warm up,’ she says. ‘You might say, “My inbox is empty” , or “I’ve gotten through 300 emails today” , which many people do value. But at the start of the day when your brain is fresh and clear from rest, that’s the time when you want to be doing your big thinking.

‘Take a break, stand up, get a drink, whatever – and then check your emails. Set a timer so you’re in your email inbox for 10 minutes. Then get back to the priorities of the day.’

Reproduced with permission from the author.

The dangers of “multitasking” and “multiscreening”

Trade Day report

By Nan Cleven

Early morning showers followed by some sunny breaks, but spirits were high and activity exciting as members joined in on the final Trade Day for 2022 – massed colour and stunning plant and product abundant for our buyers in preparation for the Festive season.

A very amused ‘Bell Ringer’ for November – John Mercieca from MEGT – has watched the instant action in the past, enjoying his moment in the spotlight to signal the official start of Trade for the third of our Spring Trade Days. MEGT will employ, monitor and support apprentices and trainees with on and off job training with personal support from a dedicated mentor. Phone 13 6963 or check megt.com.au for more information

ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY VISIT

Nursery & Garden Industry

Victoria (NGIV) Trade Day is more than just a market, it’s:

Australia’s largest wholesale plantlife trading and networking event

Buy direct from Australia’s best plant growers every

Scan the QR code to experience NGIV Trade Day for yourself with a complimentary visit.

Why visit?

The finest quality and extensive range of plants and garden products

The best wholesale prices

The convenience of everything under one roof

NGIV Trade Day is the perfect place to grow your business!

Great weather for BBQ and coffee – members queuing for their early morning cuppa – our thanks to the Coffee Cart Sponsor of the day – Platinum Industry Partner, Norwood.

« Steve and Donna from Treetop Nursery added a colourful Christmas feature to their display – potted Poinsettias in hanging baskets, all quickly snapped up by eager buyers.

«

Contact Kellie on 0447 166 135 for more information

« Mitch Burke of Mojay

travelling down from Ingleburn, NSW – supplying garden pots and feature pieces to garden centres and other retail outlets.

Mitch can be contacted on 0450 964 317

« The Warners’ stand set quite the scene for Christmas – Brilliantly coloured hydrangeas making for a stunning showcase creating quite the ‘wow’ factor.

Kellie Tomholt and Manja Byrne from Wildtech Plants –specialising in the propagation of native plant tubestock, including rare and hard-to-find species.

Pots

« Brilliant size and colour for Spring on the Alameda stand, stunning Clematis creating quite the ‘wow’ factor.

« A celebrity amongst us! Santa with a warm meet ‘n greet for Jason Hodges, ex. Better Homes & Garden TV Show – on a visit to Trade Day and Trials Week, courtesy of Flemings.

« Right alongside a sea of impressive ‘Bleeding Heart’ vine Clerodenrum on Wright’s Nursery stand.

« A stopover rest at the spectacular display on the Flemings Nursery stand in preparation for Trials Week. The happy Flemings crew –Jess, Marg and Titch - joining in on the fun with Santa.

Increase productivity by employing apprentices

Engaging an apprentice or trainee can be a great way of increasing your business’ productivity and diversifying the skills within your workforce.

As Australia’s largest and only national Apprenticeship Network Provider (ANP), MEGT can help you get the most from the Australian Apprenticeships program Our services start with the signup process, while our team of local experts operating in every state of Australia can offer you and your business ongoing support for the life of the apprenticeship or traineeship.

We can also provide advice about your business’ eligibility for financial incentives such as the Priority Wage Subsidy and Hiring Incentives. Our administration teams process all Training Contracts accurately and efficiently and we have a proud track record of continuously exceeding government quality and compliance benchmarks.

We also provide a free, user-friendly and secure online employer portal that lets you track your apprentice or trainee’s progress and we are committed to ongoing quality improvement, reflected in our world-standard accreditations in quality management, data protection and cyber security.

More information

Call

Interview with NextGen PATRICK MACINTYRE Plantmark

Where do you work and what is your role?

I work at Plantmark in the production team at Wantirna and Monbulk, which is part of the tree production side of the business dealing with trade customers. I’m the Production Manager, overseeing the growing operations at both worksites, with a team of six staff.

How long have you worked at Plantmark and how has your role evolved over time?

I have been at Plantmark for 10 years. I started in a maintenance position for about a year, after which I was offered the opportunity to work in the Langwarrin Trade Market. Over the years, I have completed an apprenticeship, undertaking the Certificate III in Production Nursery. For the past two years I have enjoyed working as the Assistant Production Manager and was excited to be recently offered a promotion to Production Manager.

What do you like most about the nursery industry?

I love the people in the industry and their passion for what they do. There are so many people who have been in the industry for decades and readily share their experience and knowledge. I hope to do likewise as my career evolves. Each day there is something completely different to do in the nursery, which I really enjoy and I’m always learning.

Where would you like your career to go in the industry?

I would like to stay at Plantmark as long as I can! I’m still young and have so much to learn about horticulture as well as leading people and managing a business. I look forward to continuing to develop my skills and exploring how I can apply my knowledge.

How did you end up working in the nursery industry?

I was always a green thumb, doing gardening with my grandparents at a young age, as well as mowing lawns and undertaking plantings with my Dad. Back then I didn’t know many types of plants but, as time went on, I started to learn more and more about landscaping and garden maintenance, which led me to start work with my uncle.

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day can depend on the day of the week, but I usually start by helping the potting team set up and giving them guidance as to what needs to be achieved for the day. I then get involved with the picking team and checking the day’s orders. I also take sales calls, reply to emails, review market sales, check and maintain stock at our Monbulk worksite and organise and order stock for future potting requirements (a great chance to get out of the office!).

Are any of your family members in the Horticultural industry?

Yes, I have a cousin that works for Haars Nursery – only the two of us in a pretty large family.

Did you study horticulture and where?

Yes, I did an apprenticeship at Swinburne University for three years. I really enjoyed it, my teachers were great and I learned many skills that I use in my day-to-day work activities. I completed a Certificate III in Horticulture and would like to further my education in management and landscape design.

How do you spend your spare time?

I am very ‘sporty’ and I play basketball and football locally. I also love travelling, camping and visiting botanical gardens.

Proudly sponsored by

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.

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

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PRICE UPDATE

Decreased by $114 per tonne (5.81cents per litre) Prices effective 1st-28th February 2023 (inc GST)