Interview with Pearl Bridge, AIH Student of the Year 2025

By Patrick Regnault

19-year-old Pearl Bridge is the 2025 recipient of the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) Student of the Year Award sponsored by the AIH Fellows. Pearl is from the Northern Rivers of NSW and was nominated for this award by her Certificate III in Horticulture teacher, Hugh Monk from TAFE Wollongbar.

Below are Pearl’s responses to an interview I conducted with her.

What did winning this award mean to you?

‘Winning the Australian Institute of Horticulture’s Student of the Year Award is such an incredible honour, and I am truly grateful to be recognised in this way. I feel so excited and inspired to continue growing in this industry that I am so passionate about. Horticulture has already opened so many doors for me from studying at TAFE and to gaining hands on experience both in a garden maintenance team and at a local retail nursery. I am deeply thankful to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way, and I am looking forward to contributing even more to the horticultural community in the years to come.’

What made you choose horticulture?

‘When I was 17, I was feeling quite lost and unsure about what I wanted to do with my life, as many people are at that age. I decided to enrol in a Certificate II in Horticulture at Wollongbar TAFE, not really knowing where it would lead. Very quickly, through my amazing teachers and the knowledge they shared, I discovered a real passion for plants, the environment and all aspects of horticulture. I completely fell in love with it.

‘Looking back, I think my connection to nature has always been there. I grew up in Federal and Byron Bay, constantly surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes, gardens and green spaces. My family has always been very green thumbed too, so that love for growing things and being outdoors was a big part of my upbringing. Choosing horticulture just felt right. It combined everything I love about nature, creativity and working with my hands, and I am so grateful and lucky I took that first step into this field.’

You did a Certificate II in Horticulture followed by Certificate III which you will complete in December of this year. What are the subjects that ‘lit your fire’?

‘The subjects that really sparked my passion for horticulture were maintaining nursery plants, propagation and plant identification. Each of these opened my eyes to a different and fascinating side of the industry.

‘Through maintaining nursery plants, I developed a real appreciation for the care and attention that goes into keeping plants healthy and thriving, from watering and pruning to pest management and creating the right growing conditions. It gave me such satisfaction to see the difference good horticultural practices can make.

‘Propagation was another subject that completely inspired me. Learning how to grow new plants from cuttings, seeds, and divisions felt quite magical and so fulfilling. The idea that you can create and nurture new life with your own hands really sparked joy and interest for me. It also taught me patience and precision, which I have carried into all areas of my work.

‘And then there was plant identification, which helped me truly see and understand the diversity of the plant world. Being able to recognise and name different species, and their characteristics botanically, made me feel more connected to nature and deepened my curiosity about the ecosystems around me.

‘I was also incredibly lucky to have three wonderful teachers, Hugh Monk, Lisa Barnes and John Forlonge who made these subjects come alive. Their knowledge, encouragement, and genuine passion for horticulture inspired me every step of the way. They did not just teach the content, they shared their love for plants and the environment, which really helped shape my journey and solidify my decision to pursue horticulture as a career.’

You are completing your apprenticeship with Birdie Byron Bay. How important was it for you to have a supportive employer?

‘Having a supportive boss has been crucial to my growth, both professionally and personally. During my traineeship with Tanya at Birdie Byron Bay, her mentorship, guidance, and encouragement have played a huge role in shaping the horticulturist and person I am today. Tanya has always believed in me, even at times when I doubted myself, and she constantly reminds me of what I am capable of achieving.

‘Her support has given me the confidence to take on challenges, learn from mistakes, and keep growing in my skills and knowledge. I truly believe that having a boss or mentor who genuinely cares about your development and shares your passion makes all the difference. Without Tanya’s guidance and reassurance, I would not be where I am today, and I am so grateful to have someone who inspires me to keep pursuing my love for horticulture every day.’

Good and passionate teachers can make a big difference in one’s learning. Can you tell us how your experience was?

‘I have learned firsthand just how important good and passionate teachers are. During my school years, I really struggled to stay engaged, I was restless, easily distracted, and honestly, not very interested in what I was learning. I even left school in Year 10 because I could not see a clear path forward. Looking back, that decision led me to where I was meant to be.

‘Not long after leaving school, I enrolled in a Certificate II in Horticulture at Wollongbar TAFE, and from the very first day, everything felt different. The teachers there, Hugh, Lisa, and John completely changed how I saw education. Their passion for plants and the environment was infectious, and they made every lesson hands-on, meaningful and exciting. They created a supportive and welcoming space where I felt encouraged to learn, ask questions and grow at my own pace.

‘Their genuine care and enthusiasm helped me find confidence in myself again and reminded me that learning can be something to look forward to. I would not be where I am today without their support and encouragement. Having teachers who love what they do does not just teach you about horticulture, it teaches you to believe in yourself and your potential.’

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 and 10 years?

‘In the next five years, I see myself continuing to grow and learn within the horticultural industry, gaining more hands-on experience and expanding my knowledge in both sustainable growing practices and garden design. I would love to start developing my own flower growing venture, producing beautiful, locally grown blooms to supply to general stores and florists, and even creating my own arrangements. A big part of this goal is finding ways to grow in harmony with nature by implementing integrated pest management with no nasty chemicals and building a rich-nutrient soil to nurture the plants rather than pumping them full of synthetic fertilisers, as well as many other sustainable practices that support healthy ecosystems.

‘Looking further ahead, in ten years I hope to have taken that next big step into landscape and garden design, potentially completing further study in that area and starting my own landscape design business. My dream is to create spaces that work with the natural environment rather than against it, with designs that are sustainable, environmentally conscious and deeply connected to place. I also hope to be able to employ and collaborate with like-minded people who share the same passion for plants, sustainability and creativity, building a team that continues to learn from each other and give back to the land we work with.’

Patrick Regnault FAIH RH0062

Interactive Landscapes

E: patrickregnault@hotmail.com