NGINA 2019 Award Winners announced
Members, family, friends and industry sponsors strolled down the green carpet on Friday evening, 15 November to attend the 2019 Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT Gala Dinner and Awards presentation at Rydges, Baulkham Hills.
The Awards program returned in 2019 after a one-year hiatus and NGINA President Ian Rogan commented on the industry response in his welcome.
“We have been thrilled to see so many businesses entering and supporting the awards. The response is encouraging for the future growth of the program and the calibre of all the entrants, not just the finalists and the winners announced tonight, is a wonderful reflection of the ongoing development of excellence in our industry,” he said.
The first awards for the evening were the 25 and 40 year recognition awards. General Manager, Ray Lee commented on the resilience demonstrated by these businesses and thanked them for their loyalty and commitment to both the industry and the Association.
The 25 Year Recognition awards were presented to:
Combined Nursery Sales Heritage Gardens
Nature’s Care Nursery Traden Tubes
Cameron's Nursery*
The 40 Year Recognition awards were presented to:
Allstake Supply Company Amgrow
Branch’s Horticultural Enterprises Tropical Plant Rentals
The 2019 Wholesale | Production Nursery of the Year award was presented by Luciana Mazzucchi, Horticulture Field Manager, Garden City Plastics. The finalists in this category were:
Honeysuckle Park Production Nursery Overland Nurseries
Scotts Tubes The Green Gallery
Yarralumla Nursery
Congratulations to the 2019 Wholesale | Production Nursery of the Year: Honeysuckle Park Production Nursery.
Retail consultant and mentor, Brian Merrick awarded the 2019 Retail Nursery of the Year. The finalists in the category were:
Bonnyrigg Garden Centre Four Seasons Nursery & Garden Centre
Four Seasons Plant Bug Garden Centre Heritage Nursery, Yarralumla
Welby Garden Centre
Congratulations to the 2019 Retail Nursery of the Year: The Heritage Nursery, Yarralumla.
Marketing Director of Transplant Systems, Malcolm Calder presented the 2019 Allied Supplier of the Year. The category finalists were:
All Stake Supply Greenlife Structures
ICL Specialty Fertilizers Independent Garden Centres
Norwood Industries
Congratulations to the 2019 Allied Supplier of the Year: Garden City Plastics.
Industry identity and advocate Graham Ross presented the 2019 Industry Bloomer of the Year award and spoke passionately to all present about the importance of championing and developing the younger members in the industry. Graham warmly welcomed all nominees to the stage as their achievements were shared with the audience.
The 2019 Industry Bloomer of the Year finalists were:
Brad Brown | Cameron’s Nursery German Francia | The Green Gallery
David Leacey | Solomons Wholesale Nursery Jack Thorburn | Honeysuckle Garden Centre
Ashley Walker | Welby Garden Centre
Congratulations to the 2019 Industry Bloomer of the Year: Jack Thorburn
The final award of the evening was the Waratah Award – a rarely awarded honour reserved for those who have given enormous service to the industry. NGINA President, Ian Rogan and General Manager, Ray Lee proudly presented this award to Graham Ross.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Ross expressed he felt it a privilege to work in the industry and that it was his honour to continue to promote the continued growth and development of it.
Thanks to all members who nominated for the Awards, to the judging panel, MC for the night Matt Carroll, Association sponsors, member businesses for providing room and table decorations, and to all who attended the evening.
* Cameron's Nursery achieved their 25 Year recognition award in 2017. Unfortunately this was overlooked by the previous organising committee of the NGINA Awards and the award was not presented nor this oversight noted. Sincere apologies are expressed to the business.