- Are you a person who wants a future in
Plant Propagation?
- Do you wish to learn more about plant
propagation and nursery techniques?
Then apply for the IPPS Propagators
Scholarship and we can help you on your path of learning.
International Plant Propagators Society
are proud to offer scholarships to those people who wish
to extend and improve their knowledge of plant propagation.
The Society’s objective with these
scholarships is to seek out those people with a genuine
interest in plant propagation and a wish to further improve
their opportunities in the Nursery industry.
If you have a chance to learn more or to
gain valuable experience, this Scholarship is available
to assist you with the finance required to take advantage
of that opportunity.
Why this Scholarship?
The nursery industry worldwide
is a thriving dynamic industry to be involved with at
many levels. The heart of this industry is the plants
and the people who understand them. The IPPS Propagators
Scholarship helps ensure that this industry has knowledgeable
enthusiastic people to continue progress.
Scholarship Details
Each year three scholarships can be awarded,
each worth $1600.
The Scholarship money may be used for any
of the following:
- Pursuing a prescribed course of study,
where the course content is relevant to plant propagation.
- Undertaking a Research Project pertaining
to Plant propagation.
- Assistance with gaining relevant work
experience in New Zealand or overseas.
Application forms and
further information are available from:
Application forms and further information are available from:
Jeff Elliott 03 314 9049 or jeff.elliott@clear.net.nz
Scholarship Applications
Applicants must provide
- information on what they wish to use
the Scholarship for.
- A summary of their past education and/or
employment history.
- Two references. These must be from any
two of the following sources; employers (past or present),
personal, or education.
- Explain how this award can benefit you.
Applications must be received by October
31 each year and applicants may be interviewed prior
to final selection.
Applicants will be require to attend a
future IPPS conference to make a small presentation on
what they have gained from this scholarship.
IPPS New Zealand Region Awards
- Recognising meritorious service ...
The New Zealand Region of IPPS has two
awards which are able to be given annually to worthy
members of the society. The awards are normally presented
at our annual conference. The awards and their criteria
are as follows:
John Follett
Award of Merit - The New Zealand Regions highest
award for all round meritorious service.
Criteria:
- Meritorious service to IPPS New Zealand.
- Meritorious service to New Zealand
Horticulture.
- Must be an active member of IPPS New
Zealand at the time the award is presented.
Award of Recognition -
The New Zealand Region's award for meritorious service
to IPPS New Zealand.
Criteria:
- The recipient must have made
a significant contribution to the New Zealand Region
of IPPS over a period of time.
- The recipients must be members of IPPS
New Zealand but do not have to be active at the time
the award is presented.
- It is not expected that this award
will be presented to members of the NZ Region for significant
contributions to other regions or at an International
level.
Past recipients of the Award of Merit
are Graeme Platt, Eddie Welsh, Terry Hatch, Noel McMillan,
Jan Velvin, Dennis Hughes and John Follett. The Award
of Recognition has been given to Mike Geenty, Gus Evans,
Grant Hayman and Shirley Ogilvy.
Members are invited to put forward the
names of any member they feel would fit the criteria
of either the above awards and some background information
to
Shirley Ogilvy, 208 Narrows Road,
R D 2, Hamilton or e-mail sogilyv@clear.net.nz.
Nomination for IPPS International Award of Merit
Thomas Edward 'Eddie' Welsh - 2008
At this year's conference in Auckland, a shocked and speechless Eddie Welsh was presented with the International Award of Merit. This was the first time the New Zealand region nominated someone for this prestigious award and was based upon Eddie's commitment to the New Zealand region and his involvement and influence internationally.
The following is a summary of the citation written for Eddie. The full citation will appear in the next Combined Proceedings of the Society.
Eddie was born and raised in Alton, Illinois, USA. After working towards a fine arts degree focusing on pottery at Southern Illinois University, Eddie then headed to California and found himself completing a Certificate in Organic Horticulture where he became very interested in growing plants, a passion that has lead him to where he is today.
In the mid 1970's, Eddie began to travel and met his future wife Jan in Fiji. He followed her back to New Zealand and they married in 1976 in Dunedin. Requiring a career, Eddie decided to do a Diploma in Horticulture at Massey University and worked at a seedling nursery in Dunedin to complete the period of practical training for the diploma.
In 1979, Eddie and Jan moved to Palmerston North where Eddie studied under the great Murray Richards. Eddie enjoyed the course, did well and when a position came up in the horticulture department at Massey, Murray Richards found the man for the job in Eddie. In fact, Eddie had no choice in the matter.
Eddie started teaching the diploma in 1980 and was known for his sound practical nature, as well as his friendly outgoing personality which made him popular with staff and students.
It was Maurice Van Reenan who introduced Eddie to the world of IPPS and he attended his first conference in 1980 in New Plymouth. In 1981, Eddie assisted with his first IPPS field trip around Palmerston North and also was elected onto the committee, working his way through the ranks to become New Zealand President in 1986-87 and 1987-88, then serving as International Director for 1989-90. In 1994, he served as International President and the New Zealand Region recognized Eddie's service and passion in 1995 by presenting him with the Award of Merit.
Two of Eddie's main interests while at Massey were Zantedeschias and bedding plants. He learnt a lot about growing Zantedeschias and his expertise and experience was called upon from people around the country and across the world. He also established a collection of named cultivars at Massey and also worked to develop Zantedeschias as a flowering pot plant.
With his interest in bedding plants, Eddie established independent trials at Massey where old, new and exciting varieties were grown and displayed. Open Days were held each year with growers coming along to catch up with the latest developments and how varieties performed in the in-ground trials.
His work with Zantedeschias and bedding plants saw Eddie become a regular and appreciated speaker at IPPS conferences and with his advancement through the society, he was called on to speak at international events as well. IPPS allowed Eddie the opportunities to travel and meet people, two of his passions in life.
The New Zealand region’s assistance with starting a Japanese chapter of the society became a major project for Eddie. He regularly travelled to Japan and made many friends, hosted tour groups and students visiting New Zealand and also set up a number of international exchanges.
With the number of horticultural students declining and the desire to do other things, Eddie left Massey and set up his own nursery just outside Palmerston North. “Starter Plants” focuses on growing open ground plants such as Dierama, Agapanthus, Eucomis and seed grown Zantedeschias for the NZ market and also for export.
With Japanese interest in Eucomis, Eddie started a breeding program and has selected a number of outstanding varieties, making him a world leader in this crop.
His travel for business has also seen him import new material into New Zealand including Cucuma, Euphorbia Millii grandiflora and other exciting tropical plants.
He has expanded his plant interests to include producing eco-sourced native plants for local revegetation projects and growing interesting vegetables which he sells on “Tasty Tuesdays” and “Fresh Fridays”
In late 2005, Eddie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His chances of survival were not flash, but he remained positive and after major surgery, has made a remarkable recovery. He continues to do well and his chances of surviving this nasty form of cancer look great. This is wonderful news for his family and all of us involved in IPPS and the nursery industry in New Zealand as it would have been devastating to lose Eddie before his time.
In summary, Eddie has contributed so much to IPPS and has had an enormous impact of the New Zealand region. He is totally committed to IPPS and has brought fun and joy to the society over many years. It would have been a tragedy to have all this gone unrecognized by the society. |
International
Plant Propagators' Society - New Zealand Region
