Executive update

Executive update

Welcome to the October 2023 edition of Groundswell, where we bring you the latest news and updates from Victoria’s horticulture industry. Spring is now well and truly underway, and we hope it has been a strong start to what is sure to be a very busy season for our members and their businesses.

The last week of August saw NGIV set up shop in Queen’s Hall, Victorian Parliament House for our Annual Horticulture Showcase. We worked tirelessly through the week to advocate for the industry and engage with Members of Parliament, highlighting Victorian horticulture’s vast scope and the benefits it provides to all people across the state. During the Showcase, we spoke to representatives from across the political spectrum, with the understanding that NGIV’s vision for a united, growing and sustainable industry is strengthened with bi-partisan support.

We were thrilled to welcome the Hon. Gayle Tierney MP, Minister for Agriculture, as our esteemed Guest of Honor. Joining her, we had the Hon. Peter Walsh MP, Leader of the Nationals, along with a panel of horticultural personalities who shared their passion for horticulture and the highlight the benefits it provides for all Victorians.

We’re committed to encouraging MPs to prioritise key areas that matter most to us. We encouraged them to:

1. Commit to improving Victoria’s Green Infrastructure for future climate resilience.

2. Strengthen the resilience of the horticultural industry.

3. Nurture our workforce for future skills and growth.

4. Celebrate the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) and acknowledge its cultural and economic contribution to Victoria.

5. Support the important work of horticultural educators.

6. Open doors to international market access and exports.

Highlights of the Showcase included the immersive garden designed by MIFGS

Achievable Gardens alumni Josie Wilson and Suzannah Kennett Lister – which prompted many comments from impressed MPs – and our Horticulture Appreciation Day panel, featuring emcee Claire Hooper, Brett Ratten, and Chloe Thomson, who spoke about their passion for plants and how the industry has influenced their lives.

We also had horticulture experts from NGIV member businesses on hand to share their knowledge and engage with decision makers about our state’s industry and highlight the role their businesses play. We thank all members and partners who supported this week, whether as industry spokespeople, suppliers or otherwise – we couldn’t have done it without you.

We’re thrilled with the level of engagement we had throughout the Showcase, and we expect to keep many fruitful conversations going over the coming months.

We’re looking forward to coming together with Victoria’s top breeders, growers and allied businesses for this year’s Australian Horticultural Trials. They’ll be showcasing the very latest innovations in container, bedding, indoor and outdoor plants and allied products.

The event will take place between 5 and 8 December 2023, with exhibitor on-site experiences and online offerings to enjoy the week wherever you are. Trials Week is the perfect opportunity to learn, network and celebrate the innovation of our industry.

The NGIV Board and Team extend their appreciation to all the businesses that have renewed their NGIV membership for the 2023/24 financial year. We have had an incredibly positive response since sending out renewal invoices, and we are grateful for the ongoing support of our members and industry partners.

NGIV are committed to continuing to support our members to maintain professionalism, enhance performance, and maximise profit; while advocating, promoting and educating key stakeholders on the significance of our industry. We could not continue to do what we do without your ongoing support.

As an NGIV member, you have access to many benefits, including:

» Member and industry promotion

» Ongoing industry advocacy

» Free professional and technical support

» Entry to Australia’s leading wholesale plant market, NGIV’s Trade Day

» Opportunities to participate in MIFGS

» A varied training and events calendar

» Promotion of careers in horticulture

» The latest horticultural news and updates

» Opportunites through our Schools Program (VSGP)

» Onsite visits from NGIV team members.

We had clear blue skies and a fantastic turnout for our Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria event at All Green Nursery and Garden and Boomaroo Nurseries.

As always, the event provided an opportunity to network, tour the site of an industry-leading business, and catch up with colleagues for dinner and drinks.

Thanks to Peter Smith and Josh Kyne from Team Boomaroo for the tour and Will McIntosh from Mansfield’s Propagation Nursery for emceeing the evening. Also, a special thanks to All Green Nursery and Garden owner Samuel Fragapane and team for hosting afternoon tea along with a drop-in tour. Whether you’re a wholesaler, retailer or allied trader, all NGIV members are encouraged to attend Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria events, which take place each month.

A group of NGIV’s Tree and Shrub Growers of Victoria embarked on a tour to South Australia In September, visiting some of the state’s best nurseries and finest wineries.

Accompanied by NGIV’s David Reid and Jess Wozniak, the group enjoyed perfect sunny conditions for the trip and

appreciated the opportunity to network and learn more about the South Australian industry.

In the education space, we engaged with some of the savviest businesspeople in the industry as part of the Nursery Business Resilience Program.

We brought these expert representatives from NGIV member businesses together to explore business adaptability and resilience and to join in rich discussion about how horticultural businesses can continue to thrive in ever-changing economies and environments.

There’ll be plenty more happening in this space as NGIV continues to support our member businesses to be the best they can be.

We’ve also been out to Casey Tech School, a shared learning facility that delivers high-tech, leading-edge courses to students from 23 secondary schools in the Casey region. We worked with students to answer the big questions around urban green infrastructure and the importance of green life in our cities with their Flora Drop applied learning project.

NGIV not only support our members to help their businesses be the best they can be, but we also aim to foster the next generation of horticulturalists and highlight the wealth of opportunities available to all in this thriving and dynamic industry

For those looking to begin or take the next step in their career in horticulture, the Grow Your Future website now features an overview of career paths available within the industry, as well as a detailed summary of training and education opportunities across the state. Like the NGIV website, the Grow Your Future site will also advertise vacant positions in the industry to engaged and passionate jobseekers.

For members, this means that the site will serve as another platform to promote employment opportunities in your business and build awareness of your brand.

We’ve been working hard to get this website up and running, and we're excited for you to have a look around.

To all our members, we wish you great success for the remainder of spring and in the busy gear up for the year’s end. We look forward to engaging with many of you over the coming months as we continue to support our member businesses and the Victorian industry.

Craig Taberner CEO, NGIV

Simon Gomme President, NGIV Powerplants Australia