YARRA VIEW NURSERY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY

By Matt Ross

On the face of it, Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries are much like any other nursery; bursting with stunning plantlife, humming with activity and staffed by a knowledgeable, friendly team. And that’s how Yarra View want to be recognised, as a high calibre nursery, no special treatment. But there are special things happening every day.

The nursery employs 150 staff across its 3 sites, of which 85 have an intellectual disability.

Commercial Business Manager, Josh Kyne, believes horticulture is the perfect industry to provide meaningful, rewarding work and life skills to community members with an intellectual disability.

“Our staff receive first-class, focused training. They learn all the same skills that any other nursery-worker would learn. And you can witness people going on a journey of growth and confidence that is so rewarding to see. Some have been employed at the nursery for decades and they turn up day in day out with a smile on their face, eager to learn and get stuck into their work. Just the same as in any other nursery,” said Josh.

The nursery work gives the team a sense of purpose and responsibility. They’re working outdoors, surrounded by nature. They’re using their bodies. They’re invited to learn new skills and to work at their own pace. They’re engaging with the public and building a strong team dynamic with their colleagues.

Already one of the State’s largest employers of those with an intellectual disability, Yarra View Nursery are on a quest to employ and train more and more individuals. But to do so they need funds.

Winning the contract to supply over 600,000 plants, shrubs and trees, for the Mordialloc Freeway Upgrade enabled them to employ another 10 staff and most importantly provide over 15,000 hours of employment. Yarra View & Bushland Flora also do a lot of work supplying plants for many Level Crossing Removal Authority projects. And they don’t receive any special treatment, they tender and compete with other growers to get the job. It’s their capacity to get the job done on time, whilst supplying quality plantlife, that seals the deal.

“It’s really hard to get a job with a disability. We’re here, showing that that needn’t be the case. With the correct framework, horticulture is an industry that can support these individuals and benefit from a passionate and committed team,” said Scott Buckland, CEO at Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries.

Sadly, they aren’t immune to the destructiveness of Mother Nature. The June storms wreaked havoc at the nursery, causing $200,000 worth of damage.

Numerous large trees came down damaging poly tunnels, the shade-house, drainage, irrigation systems, vents, stock and more. They were also without phones and internet for several days, which meant no sales or dispatch, and temporary closure. Infrastructure damage and the clean-up is estimated to total $150,000, while the cost of lost trade, production and stock is estimated at $50,000.

“As a not for profit and a charity, we don’t have a lot of cash in the bank to buffer these sorts of things,” said Scott.

So, although it’s not something they usually do, they’ve created an appeal to raise funds to rebuild and repair –knoxbrooke-inc.giveeasy.org/the-greatstorm-recovery-appeal.

Located in beautiful Mount Evelyn at the foot of the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra View & Bushland Flora Nurseries are a valued member of NGIV. They are a division of Knoxbrooke Incorporated, a disability services organisation, focused on providing critical employment, training and support for people living with a disability and producing plants for distribution to popular retail chains and the commercial landscape sector. They grow a range of stock including Australian natives, camellias, ferns, and bonsai across their 3 sites spanning 27 acres.