About
My Horticultural Journey
My resourceful creativity was sparked decades ago, at “Myrtleford”, my family’s cattle farm nestled on the dry plateau of the Great Dividing Range in northern New South Wales. At 1,400 hectares, it wasn’t considered a large farm by Australian standards, but to me, it felt vast and uncharted. A good portion of the farm was retained as native bush, though, as a child, I didn’t fully appreciate its beauty and value.
Instead, I spent my days building epic cubby houses and daredevil billy carts with my siblings, using treasures unearthed from the remains of an old homestead that had burned down long before our family arrived. My interest in sustainability had its roots here, too. In the face of persistent and extreme droughts, Mum watered her few potted herbs and geraniums with grey water direct from the old twin tub washing machine.
It was nice to have a hint of colour and life at the back door of our home, but at the time I didn’t understand her dedication to keeping those little strugglers alive.
As I grew older, I developed my own deep appreciation for gardening, the way it nurtures the soul at the best and the worst of times, and it became clear to me how caring for those few blooms on the farm had both delighted and sustained her.
Today, I’m a qualified horticulturist with over 20 years of experience working in public parks, private gardens and other open spaces across Australia and New Zealand. My sustainability studies have influenced my approach to gardening, and I have strong focus on resource reuse, and finding eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions to garden challenges. I love experimenting with colour, texture, and creatively reusing materials to transform challenging or underutilised outdoor areas into beautiful, functional spaces.
So, let me be Your Garden Guide!
I’m here to help you turn the outdoor spaces you have into the outdoor spaces you want—gardens and living areas that bring joy, serenity, and a sense of relief.
Why Choose Your Garden Guide
Horticultural Experience
Seven years working as Parks Team Leader and Contract Supervisor – Nelson City Council. Managed the development and maintenance of public parks and reserves. Spearheaded the development of ecological restoration plans for landscape and conservation reserves, promoting biodiversity and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Programme Advisor – Australian Government. Part of the team that developed and implemented the 20 Million Trees revegetation programme, a nationwide initiative to restore native landscapes.
Completed my amenity horticulture apprenticeship in Nelson NZ, working across the city’s horticultural parks and reserves, and sole management of the historic Broadgreen Rose Gardens in my final year of training.
Education & Achievements
Bachelor of Science in Health and the Environment with a minor in Sustainable Development – Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. Graduated as Valedictorian
Advanced Certificate in Horticulture – Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, New Zealand. Awarded “Best All-Round Student” among Horticulture ITO Apprentices
