NEXTGEN: REBECCA JOHNSON

Interview with NextGen:

Rebecca Johnson, Warner’s Nurseries

Where do you work and what is your role?

I work for Warner’s nurseries in Narre Warren North. My main role is picking, preparing and dispatching orders. It involves choosing top quality plants, cleaning inside and outside of the pots, labelling and packing them onto truck trolleys and occasionally delivering them to costumers in the truck.

How long have you worked there and how has your role progressed in that time?

I started at Warner’s as a second-year apprentice three years ago. Since then, I have worked my way through the nursery learning different areas, from propagation and production to dispatch.

What or who inspired you to choose horticulture?

I was inspired by my nan to choose horticulture when I was a young child. She had me pruning and working in her garden, I have lots of fond memories of those times. Then when I left school I spent a few months working in garden maintenance which really cemented my love and interest for horticulture and pushed me to move into the nursery industry.

What do you enjoy most about working in horticulture?

There are so many things that I love about working in horticulture. I love how I’m constantly learning and finding out new information. I love that you never stop learning! I love how calming it is, walking into work every morning knowing I’m doing what I love. I love designing imaginary gardens in my head and hoping that one day I will be able to make them real. I’m fascinated by how customers are putting their gardens together through their orders. Working out in the fresh air with other people who have the same interests makes it so enjoyable.

Why should more young people choose horticulture as a career?

I feel like more young people should choose horticulture as a career because it is enjoyable, great for your mental and physical health, and you are always learning. There are so many ways to progress and change your career up, if you choose the right job no day has to be the same.

Are you/have you studied a horticultural course?

I studied Certificate 3 and 4 Wholesale Nursery at Swinburne University, Wantirna, from 2017 - 2020 for my apprenticeship. I found it to be a very positive experience getting to meet other people from other nurseries and landscape companies.

Seeing how other people do things and learning offsite was very beneficial. I found that the teachers at Swinburne were always looking after my best interests and always made sure I was enjoying work. They were dedicated to their jobs, the industry and the next generation coming through.

Tell us a bit about you; what you enjoy doing and where your passions lie.

I spend most of my spare time divided between two passions. I love netball. I enjoy keeping fit and socializing with my teammates. My other passion is collecting rare and exotic indoor plants. I enjoy spending time in my greenhouse looking after my plants.