Swinburne success at 2019 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
In Summary
- Swinburne students won several awards at the 2019 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
- It is Swinburne’s 13th year competing in the Achievable Gardens competition
- Swinburne alumni also showcased their work at the show
Swinburne students have won five awards including the most innovative use of plants at the 2019 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS).
Riley Cooper and Angus Houghton wanted their garden to be a work of art, even featuring street-style artwork created by Angus.
This is the 18th year that Swinburne has been involved in the MIFGS and the 13th year that Swinburne students have competed in the Achievable Gardens category.
The Achievable Gardens competition empowers students and educational institutions to show off their design skills, horticultural knowledge and creativity, as well as promote achievable gardening and encourage the use of diverse plants in the landscape.
As a sustainability-focused designer, Rachael Nardella aimed for zero waste in her garden by using 100% reusable/ recyclable products.
The Achievable Gardens winners from Swinburne are:
- Rainforest Nest designed and built by Diploma of Landscape Design student, Jessica Villani: Gold medal and Innovative Use of Plants Award
- Home Is Where The Seeds Are Sown designed and built by Diploma of Horticulture student Rachael Nardella: Gold medal
- The Yoga Sanctuary designed and built by Diploma of Landscape Design student, Kristen Mahler: Silver medal
- Gallery To Garden designed and built by Diploma of Landscape Design student, Angus Houghton and Diploma of Horticulture student, Riley Cooper: Bronze medal
Jessica Villani’s garden is inspired by the spectacular temperate rainforest that surrounds her home in Marysville.
Manager of Horticultural and Environmental Technologies at Swinburne, Stewart Detez, says he is very proud of the Swinburne students’ success at this year’s show.
“The students have applied themselves to design and build stunning gardens that demonstrate their ability to contribute to the industry, now and in the future,” he says.
“Each of their gardens showcase their own personality and style, a quality vital to be successful in such a creative and competitive industry.”
Kristen Mahler’s garden is a place of stillness and reflection where you can go to stop and smell the roses.
Swinburne graduates also enjoyed success at the 2019 MIFGS.
Certificate III in Landscape Construction graduate, Rob Waddell of Waddell Landscapes, won a Silver medal for his garden Four Seasons in the Show Gardens category.
Meanwhile, Diploma of Horticulture graduate and 2018 Achievable Gardens winner, Bonnie Thexton, had her garden Back Beach featured in the new Emergent Gardens category.
“Once again, our current and past students have demonstrated Swinburne’s ability to produce industry ready graduates,” says Mr Detez.
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show runs from Wednesday 27 March until Sunday 31 March at the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.