

I was born in Palmerston North in 1981 and have lived my whole life around the Manawatu region. From an early age, I had a very keen interest in plants and gardening with an early passion for natives. I had my own small nursery and established my own native garden at home and also helped with the establishment of a large garden at my grandparents place in the early 1990’s.
In 1994 my parents brought a ‘dead’ garden centre in Pahiatua so we shifted over the hill and reopened Willowdeane Garden Centre, which some of you will know. I often helped out in the shop in the early days and I enjoyed the exposure to the retail side of the industry. After finishing school, I went to Massey to do a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in horticulture which was a lot of hard work but well worth it in the end. Summer holidays were spent mostly bagging plants at Kilmarnock Nurseries.
My first ‘proper’ job was at Midland Horticulture in Palmerston North where I learnt a lot about the nursery trade and what it takes to produce a high quality plant. After 14 months there, I was offered a job at another nursery which did not work out very well and so I left, much the wiser for the experience. So one or two twists of fate later and I was working back at Kilmarnock full time in a job that I enjoy doing. Summer time sees me involved with the potting on of plants plus trimming and collecting cutting material. From autumn through to spring, I’m mainly involved with dispatching orders plus anything else that needs doing around the nursery. I’m also lucky to have two great bosses in Bevan and Richard plus a great team of staff around me.
IPPS has been part of my life for five years now and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Conferences are a highlight of the year and I’ve also been on a couple of field trips. It is great to be part of a society with so much enthusiasm and passion so I’m looking forward to being on the executive and editing the newsletter.
February 2009
D&D turns 100 and there's reunion gathering in November - details here
Done and dusted - news from the 2010 Conference - details here.
International Tour and Conference is in Eastern Region from 16 September
Spring field day plans are a work in progress
Ok, so it's a month or two away, but put these dates in the diary for the 2011 Conference!
How's this for commitment? We're told that Gus Evans has not missed a conference for his entire membership duration of 37 years. That must be an attendance record and worth noting!
Never spoken at conference and you'd like some help - Coaching is available
At the Blenheim conference Richard Ware was presented with the Award of Merit.
Peter Waugh was honored too - with the John Follet Award of Recognition.
New Japan / New Zealand Exchange.
IPPS Travel Scholarship details
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Daltons
Hortfert Plus
GOLD SPONSORS
Interworld Plastics
PSP Athco
Scotts Australia
SILVER SPONSORS
Canterbury Landscape Supplies
InfoServices
Commercial Horticulture
KingGrapes
RX Plastics
Egmont Commercial
Starter Plants
BRONZE SPONSORS
Appletons Tree Nursery
Gus Evans Nurseries
Harford Greenhouses
Southern Horticulture