Winners announced at 2020 NGINA Industry Awards
The winners of the 2020 Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT (NGINA) industry awards were announced at a sell-out gala celebration at Springfield House, Dural recently. Hosted by Logie winner, Costa Georgiadis, an Australian landscape architect, television presenter and host of Gardening Australia, the awards recognised wholesale/production nurseries, retail nurseries, allied suppliers and industry bloomers from across NSW and the ACT for being the top of their fields.
Anita Campbell, NGINA CEO, said the finalists for 2020 had once again raised the bar, which is even more amazing considering what a hard year it had been. “Our members have continually provided an essential service during a time when we have never needed them more. Whether guests took home a plaque or not, it must be remembered that everyone in the industry is a winner for getting through 2020.”
Ms Campbell continued, “In saying that, some members absolutely excelled this year and NGINA is delighted to recognise the individual efforts and contributions of these industry representatives across a wide range of categories. As expected, the standard of these entries was exceptionally high and each and every one of this year’s finalists demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in the nursery and garden industry.”
Samantha Birkwood, Costa Georgiadis, Anita Campbell, Nichole Roberts,
David Jakobs, Andy Cameron
The NGINA 2020 industry award winners were:
Wholesale/Production Nursery of the Year 2020: Scotts Tubes
The judges of this category said that while the finalists all set a high standard for the industry to follow, Scotts Tubes stood out as a clear winner. Greg, Glenn and Candice Scott have demonstrated a clear and united vision, and key improvements include the installation of Wi-Fi across the site, improved water capture and storage, improved tariffication around the site and improved labelling for stock management. The grounds on which the site is located are kept in excellent condition and Scotts Tubes continues to remain NIASA accredited. Growers of Upstart tubestock, Renaissance Herbs, Romantic cottage flowers, kangaroo paws and other flowering products, Scotts Tubes is located at Mangrove Mountain in NSW.
Candice Towne, Rhianon Eather, Narelle Eldridge, Greg Scott
Retail Nursery of the Year 2020: Heritage Nursery
Judging for this category involved an independent mystery shop and a judge’s visit. Heritage Nursery at Yarralumla in the ACT was found to be clean and tidy with well-presented and friendly staff. The judge commented that the layout of the garden centre is of a free-form nature that guides customers on a journey past most of the product range – indoors and outdoors. There was good use of inspirational and seasonal displays to engage and inspire customers. Their dedication to making their garden centre a COVID-safe place for customers to shop was outstanding.
Allied Supplier of the Year 2020: ICL Specialty Fertilizers
This category was judged by two industry veterans who were very impressed with the management team at ICL and their commitment to create new products that were environmentally responsible.
Industry Bloomer of the Year 2020: Jon Philliponi from Andreasens Green
The judges felt it was a great privilege to judge this award and to meet such fine young people. The enthusiasm of all the nominees augurs well for the future of horticulture and the industry at large.
The judges were impressed by Jon’s maturity in which he handled the challenges of 2020 and found him to be particularly committed to improving the sustainability of the business and encouraging more young people to the industry.
and Judy Horton. (L-R) Andy Cameron, Tahlia Macri, Ashley Walker,
Jon Philliponi (winner) and Judy Horton
NGINA is the peak representative body for operators in the nursery and garden industry and is committed to a growing, united and sustainable nursery and garden industry that promotes its contribution to the health and wellbeing on the NSW/ACT economy, its environments and people.
The NGINA Industry Awards are decided by an in-depth judging process that is carried out by a panel of industry experts and a band of mystery shoppers.
Contacts for Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT
Anita Campbell, CEO
T: 0478 505 869
E: anita.campbell@ngina.com.au
W: ngina.com.au
Youngest guest Noah Marsh, having a selfie taken with his parents Andrew
and Amanda Marsh from Desert Sunday Collective and Costa Georgiadis
Tahlia Macri looking thrilled to receive her award from industry legend Judy Horton