Kira Platt-Behrens

2023

Horticulture

In honour of Sir John Pagan

Sponsored by the Ryde Student Fund.

My most memorable experiences while gardening have been the moments when we step back after hours of planting or maintenance to admire the way the space has taken shape. It feels like a breath of fresh air for the space and for anyone who will spend time there. In those moments I feel proud to have been part of the team that has added that touch of beauty and biodiversity to the world. Cultivating spaces that bring a smile to faces that glimpse them is something that I will always feel grateful to be able to do.

I would like to use this amazing scholarship to drive my horticulture career towards the field of therapeutic green spaces.

Nature is a fundamental source of respite from the hectic aspects of living in our urbanised world. We find the chance to slow down and notice greenery in our parks, backyards, botanical gardens, and even just by looking out the window.

Horticultural therapy and therapeutic green space design are relatively new and developing fields, especially in Australia. I can see that going overseas could allow me to learn the fundamental principles of therapeutic green spaces and bring that knowledge back to the growing fields in Australia. For example, learning the principles of zen gardening and shinrin yoku trails in Japan could provide me with key criteria to incorporate into gardens I develop and maintain in the future.

Another approach would involve travelling to the US or the UK to understand the core components of horticultural therapy programs with the leaders in this field such as Thrive (UK), the Therapeutic Landscapes Network (USA) and the American Horticultural Therapy Association (USA). I would find it very empowering to network with the leaders in these fields and see them on their home turf with the support of the Global Footprints Scholarship.