Every year, the Institute celebrates excellence in horticulture with diverse projects, experiences and people acknowledged and recognised for their achievements. In a year that has delivered major disruption across the world, it is timely that the Australian Institute of Horticulture celebrates these superb people and their projects.
“Such a great organisation. I really had no idea how much I’d enjoy and benefit from my membership when I joined. And it all started with your awards. It really gave me a platform to showcase and further my work.”
Sponsored by Botanica Nurseries, Silverdale NSW
MAIH
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Karen Smith MAIH, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary.
For commitment to and promotion of Australian Horticulture in the media
The Australian Institute of Horticulture awards Karen Smith, the editor of the established industry magazine Hort Journal, the 2020 Golden Wattle Award for the wonderful work she has done, not only in the media, but in supporting and raising awareness of the importance of horticulture in today’s world.
Karen’s commitment to the industry is demonstrated by the many trips taken around Australia covering horticultural events either under the banner of Hort Journal editor, as President of the Interior Plantscape Association or just as an enthusiastic supporter of the industry. She has been and is a big supporter of AIH.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Councillor Jess Miller representing Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary.
For commitment to and promotion of horticulture, the environment, and city liveability
The Silver Gum Award recognises AIH members or others from the wider horticulture community who have made an exceptional contribution to the value that horticulture plays in our lives. Generosity of time, spirit and innovation are central to the nominee’s attributes.
In 2020 the Australian Institute of Horticulture awards the Silver Gum to The Lord Mayor of Sydney, Councillor Clover Moore. AIH considers the contribution to our industry to be outstanding as an advocate of urban greening and climate change mitigation in her position as Lord Mayor of Sydney since 2004 and a member of the NSW Parliament from 1988 to 2012. In 30 years plus of political influence Cr. Moore has been a champion of the greening of inner Sydney.
Clover Moore’s leadership in the promotion and conservation of Australia’s unique habitats, such as the Council’s targeted increased biodiversity through its Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan within Sustainable Sydney 2030, aligns significantly with AIH’s own activities in this field.
Sponsored by Fitzpatrick and Co.
MAIH RH
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Clarence Slockee MAIH RH, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
AIH considers Clarence Slockee’s contribution to our industry to be outstanding, especially his role in highlighting, supporting, and promoting the works of indigenous youth and culture throughout the horticultural fields. Clarence’s work in the promotion and conservation of Australia’s unique habitats aligns significantly with AIH’s own activities in this field.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Lauren Danecek, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
Certificate III Horticulture, Ryde College TAFE NSW
The Australian Institute of Horticulture congratulates Lauren Danecek on her studies and her efforts in raising awareness of the importance of horticulture in today’s world. Lauren’s commitment to her studies in and her engagement with several industry related community activities is commendable and especially relevant in today’s world. We look forward to Lauren’s future in horticulture and with AIH.
Lucy’s commitment to her studies has led her to a botanical internship in Kew Garden UK (2015), and an internship with the Australian National Herbarium in 2020. We look forward to Lucy’s future in horticulture and with AIH.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Brooke Toovey, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
Certificate III Horticulture, Canberra Institute of Technology / Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (Honours), University of Canberra
On behalf of the Australian Institute of Horticulture, we congratulate you on your studies and raising awareness of the importance of horticulture in today’s world.
Your commitment to further extend your professional qualifications from Landscape Architecture into Horticulture is commendable and especially relevant in today’s world. We look forward to your future in The naming of this award is in honour of the late Kim Morris, a former president of AIH.
Kim had a varied career in horticulture and was a keen advocate of a change in, or an extension of a career path.
MAIH RH
Nick has had more than 30 years in the horticultural profession. Nick is a proud horticulturist and prides himself on his plant knowledge. The success of his business is the result of his dedication and ongoing training he put into his profession. He has been a loyal and committed Member of Australian Institute of Horticulture and passionate in the ongoing promotion of horticulture.
MAIH RH
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Mark Paul MAIH RH, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
Mark has undertaken pioneering work in Green Wall technology over the past 20 years and was awarded with the AIH Horticulturist of the Year in 2012. This year’s Award of Excellence acknowledges Mark’s current research and development of recycled materials in Green Walls especially using coffee grounds as a growing media.
His ongoing commitment to improving the green infrastructure industry through research and development has not gone unnoticed by his colleagues.
MAIH RH
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Wayne Van Balen MAIH RH – Manager RH Program, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
For ongoing promotion and commitment to the horticultural industry
Brent is a great campaigner for professional Horticulture and gardening. He has been continually active at many community activities including regular judging at agricultural and community shows. His horticultural support to several local Indigenous Groups and the Tathra bushfire recovery is especially commendable.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Prof. Zhong-Hua Chen, Dr Michelle Mak, David Randall, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
Professor Zhong-Hua Chen and the team at the National Vegetable Protected Cropping Centre at Western Sydney University are awarded the Australian Institute of Horticulture Award of Merit.
Sponsored by MJC Horticulture Pty Ltd.
Developer: Frasers Property
Fraser Property is awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Urban Award for the Burwood Brickworks project designed from the outset to have a reduced environmental footprint.
The residential community includes the creation of more than 2.5 hectares of open space, parklands, an urban plaza complex with a 2000-square metre urban rooftop farm. The centre’s eco-conscious restaurant sourcing its produce from the urban farm is an exemplary project for sustainability and local food production in an urban context.
Sponsored by Evergreen Infrastructure
Landscape Architects: Aspect Studios
Aspect Studios are awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Urban Award for the consultation and design work for the Caulfield to Dandenong Crossing project.
The creation of more than 11 football fields of open space, parklands and new community areas, as well as 17 km of pedestrian and cyclist paths is a demonstration of how our rail corridors can be transformed from being mere conduits for trains to become key structural elements of our cities. This project has delivered a landscape that providers useable spaces to an area that was once unobtainable by the community.
Sponsored By Van Balen Horticultural
Builder / Developer: Altum Property Group
Consulting Arborist / Horticulturist: Arboractive RH 0150
The Altum Property Group are awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Urban Award for the Parkridge project in Noosa Queensland. Parkridge is a unique 5.44ha parcel of land nestled between the Noosa Girraween Nature reserve, Noosa National Park and Lake Weyba.
This development site was a sand quarry prior to being purchased by Altum. The developer recycled 25,000m3 of waste while completing the remediation of the sand quarry. The Parkridge development scheme allocated an impressive 2Ha towards green space consisting of 16,360m2 of native gardens and 3,110m2 of grassed parkland including roof top gardens and bio basins.
Working with Noosa Shire Council and professional Arborists, Horticulturists and Landscapers, Parkridge demonstrates how a space can effectively blend in with the natural environment surrounding the development by using native species and organic products. The award notes the contribution to the success of the project by the Altum Property Group use of an AIH Registered Horticulturalist.
Sponsored by Jungle Horticulture
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Phil Pettit, Elizabeth Docking (both Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney), Paul Davidson (Mission Australia), Nina, Chris McAlister (Mission Australia), Ray, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary
The Benjamin Short Grove project in Orange, NSW is awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Regional Award. The institute would like to congratulate the partnering of Mission Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and Centennial Parklands Community Greening Outreach Group.
The aim of the partnership in creating an inviting and interactive garden for the care recipients is truly inspiring and especially relevant today. Horticulture embraces all including the homeless, risk of homelessness and socially and financially disadvantaged. The BSG garden is a great example of what can be achieved with an enlightened client, professional advice, and community spirit.
Sponsored By The Designer Garden Co.
Cairns Regional Council
Consulting Designer / Horticulturists: Andrew Prowse RH0053, Kim Morris RH0002
Cairns Regional Council is awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Regional Award for the Munro Martin Parklands project. The display of various vines throughout the park highlights and promotes the potential of these plants to be used in both urban greening projects and residential gardens.
The park has improved the lifestyle of residents and contributed to the region’s tourist attractions. Outdoor civic spaces are even more important today and Munro Martin Parklands is a great example of what can be achieved with an enlightened client, professional advice, and community spirit.
The institute would like to congratulate Council on the horticultural design implemented in the refurbishment of this park and the award notes the contribution to the success of the project by Council’s engagement of AIH Registered Horticulturalists.
Sponsored By LA3 Landscape Architects
North Burnett Regional Council
Consulting Arborist / Horticulturist: Arboractive RH 0150
North Burnett Regional Council in mid-western Queensland is awarded an Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Regional Award for the Gayndah Riverwalk Project, a shared pathway along the Burnett River at Gayndah.
This project has been deeply embedded in, and helped in its implementation, by the local community for over 2 decades. Recent funding by Rural Aid Australia, North Burnett Regional Council, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland has enabled a substantial stage of design and construction to be completed.
A key component of the project has been maintaining this region’s special biodiversity. This includes a focus on raising the awareness and protection of the habitat of iconic indigenous species such as the Queensland Lungfish (Neoceratodus) and the Platypus along with the local and transitory bird life. The local indigenous claim group, the Wakka Wakka, checked for cultural sites and assisted in the development of Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine Trails.
The institute would like to congratulate Council on the horticultural design implemented in the refurbishment of this park and the award notes the contribution to the success of the project by Council’s engagement of AIH Registered Horticulturalists.
Sponsored By Interactive Landscapes
National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore
The National Parks Board of Singapore (NParks) is awarded the Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space International Award for the Jurong Lakes project. The 90-hectare of gardens has been designed for the people of Singapore as a people’s garden, where spaces have been designed and created for families and the community to come together.
The institute congratulates NParks on their consistent and innovative work for the environment, the liveability of Singapore, and in raising awareness of the importance of horticulture in today’s world.
Sponsored By Aspley Nursery
The Queensland Garden Expo is awarded the Australian Institute of Horticulture Green Space Events and Engagement Award. The dedicated management team of the Expo have over many years showcased to the general public and to the horticultural industry the importance of environmental management and an awareness of the importance of horticulture in today’s ever-changing world.
The event’s exposure extends right through South East Queensland and attracts attendees from interstate and overseas. The event supports professional groups such as HMAQ, a number also being senior members of AIH, who volunteer their time freely as advisors on the Plant Health Clinic over the full 3 days of the event.
The Queensland Garden Expo (QGE) provides access for 3 to 5 free charity sites each year supporting worthy groups such as Breast Screen Qld, Guide Dogs Qld, Queensland Cancer Council, LifeFlight and the Compass Institute. AIH commends QGE on its initiatives in attracting children to horticulture through inclusion of local schools and the provision of free sites in the Kitchen Garden engages the community, the students and would attract budding horticulturists to our wonderful industry.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Tempe Macgowan, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary.
The Australian Institute of Horticulture would like to thank Tempe Macgowan for her work with the institute in an editorial and communications capacity. Tempe, a qualified Landscape Architect, presided over a refreshed AIH newsletter conducting numerous interviews with institute members, designers, and researchers.
Michael Casey MAIH RH – President, Judy Horton MAIH OAM, Matt Mitchley MAIH RH – Secretary.
For services to horticulture, science, media, and the community.
The Australian Institute of Horticulture would like to acknowledge the career and community work of Dr Peter Valder, a retired member of the institute.
Peter has a distinguished career in mycology, botany, academia, and media being a regular presenter on ABC’s Gardening Australia. The institute congratulates him on his research and writing that introduced horticulture to the public in scholarly and engaging publications on Wisteria and Chinese gardens. We also commend Peter on his other important contribution to Australia’s horticultural community, having the beautiful and inspiring garden at his historic family home, Nooroo, available to the public as an early participant in open gardens.
