Zoe Williams

2022

Horticulture

In memory of 2019 Scholar Marcello Galuppo

I am passionate about horticulture and the importance of sustainability. This scholarship allowed me to travel, gain valuable knowledge and help me contribute to shaping a better, more sustainable world for myself and everyone. The scholarship also provided a kickstart for my career on a whole new level. I have never been overseas before, so it was a completely new and diverse experience for me.

I felt drawn to the horticulture industry as I have enjoyed working with plants and in particular propagating from a very young age.

Creating a more sustainable world is vital. Healthy ecosystems and vast biodiversity are fundamental to life on our big planet. There are many reasons why sustaining the horticulture industry is so important. Sustainability and horticulture go hand in hand. Our future generations are the pillars of sustaining green spaces, plants, and gardens all around the world.

I hope to inspire new and younger generations to join the Australian horticulture industry. I think the future of horticulture looks bright! When you are presented with opportunities you make the most of them and there aren’t many better opportunities allowing a young person to influence horticulture and become a future leader, than a Global Footprints Scholarship.

From Zoe’s Application:

Q: A Global Footprints Scholarship is your opportunity to do more of what you love. What have you done at work that you are proud of or passionate about?

It was while I was in my senior years of high school, I signed up to complete a Cert II in Horticulture with a local wholesale nursery. Upon completing this traineeship and graduating year 12, I was offered full-time employment.

Immediately I signed up for a Cert III in Horticulture (Production Nursery). I am due to complete this by the end of 2022. Within this timeframe, I was able to work my way up to a supervising role in the propagation department. This allowed me to cultivate my passions for horticulture, propagation, and business, together in a thriving and dynamic environment.

It is a very rewarding and enjoyable job. From pruning gardens, propagating, potting tube stock, or gardening in general. I love it. I am proud to see the progress of our team. It makes me happy to see our plants used in greenspaces and landscapes across Queensland.

In early 2022, I was lucky enough to be selected as one of six propagators from across Australia to be a recipient of the of the 6-pack award. The program allowed me to attend the IPPS (International Plant Propagators Society) 50th-anniversary conference in Leura, NSW. IPPS is an association of plant production professionals that has members all over the world. Their mission is to advance the art and science of growing plants and to disseminate knowledge throughout the global community and to those engaged in plant production. Their motto is ‘to seek and share’. I am proud to be in the process of becoming a member. Their core values resonate with me.

Q: A Global Footprints Scholarship is for those who are passionate about creating a sustainable future. Describe something you have done at work or are working on, that helps the environment. Why is it important to you?

Our industry is currently facing skills and labour shortages. I have seen firsthand, working in a nursery, how hard it can be to find young, motivated, and passionate staff. We need staff to propagate, nurture, create and maintain the lungs of our cities, gardens, parks, and green infrastructure in which we all rest and play.

I have been invited by the executive board of IPPS to join them in a brainstorming weekend in July to discuss and provide a younger person's perspective and bring ideas on how IPPS can progress into the future and attract the new generations to join Australia's horticulture industry.

I have also been in contact with Karen Smith, the editor of HortJournal Australia to contribute into an article to specifically reach out to young people.

I hope in the future, I can write about my experiences and knowledge gained to inspire young people to join the horticulture industry too. There is a great quote I read online that stated - ‘Surround yourself with people who have dreams, desire, and ambition; they'll help you push for and realize your own’. There are so many people within the industry I look up to, I hope I can be like them someday. I have so much to learn, I’m driven to seek and absorb as much new information as I can.

Q: Everyday across the globe, people make breakthroughs for a more sustainable future. What have you seen or heard about that you find inspiring, and why?

Recently I read an article about the ‘Green Cities Europe Initiative’. I found their campaign goals and activities inspiring.

Green Cities Europe is an initiative driven by nursery organisations and the European Nurserystock Association. 13 counties are currently participating in the program. Their goal is to find solutions to maintain and improve the quality of life in cities. The following is a passage from their website. “Green Cities Europe is a platform that encourages the greening of public spaces by providing innovative ideas and information based on scientific research and technical expertise. Its activities address certain themes: health, climate, the economy, biodiversity, and social cohesion”.

There are many projects taking place within the initiative currently. However, one completed project I found fascinating is one that took place in Germany. This project is called Kö-Bogen II.

Words can't describe the sheer extent of green-scaping on this building. The landscape designers and architects have gone far and beyond to create a very futuristic building covered in over 30,000 plants. It is the largest green facade in Europe. This project has set a new climate standard for buildings in city centers. It is now used for both commercial and office purposes.

Greenspaces in cities have many positive benefactors. They not only help purify air and water they have been proven to reduce stress levels and depression. It is amazing to see such progress and innovative designs coming to life!

Q: As a Global Footprints Scholar you can choose to go anywhere in the world. Where would you travel with your Scholarship and why?

As a Global Footprints Scholar, I plan to travel to Europe and the United Kingdom. Home to some of the world's most exceptional gardens and forerunners in sustainability and green living. Europe is in a world-leading position in greenhouse horticulture and horticulture technology.

Australia is still behind regarding horticultural automation. Europe's advanced technologies are still yet to fully revolutionalise Australian horticulture. Furthermore, many European countries far surpass Australia in sustainability ranking. We are currently ranked 35th in the world!

There are also many world-class shows, events, places, and organisations based in Europe that will provide me the chance to learn so much valuable information and network with fellow passionate people who love horticulture. I will plan my trip to gain as much industry experience as I possibly can. All while learning about the impact of climate on biodiversity and fueling my curiosity on how to tackle challenges faced in my line of work.

I would like to learn more about tissue culture and propagation techniques. I currently only have worked with cuttings and division, broadening my propagation knowledge would be incredible and tissue culture presents one of the most efficient ways to sustainably produce large numbers of plants while only requiring a small physical and ecological footprint. I would also like to learn more about greenspace integration and design. I think this is important for the future of horticulture. I want to learn more about species that are suitable for such designs and how tolerance and maintenance are taken into consideration.

The overseas opportunities to learn and gain experience are extraordinary and I can only begin to imagine where my journey will take me. I feel I have a lot to offer Australia’s horticulture industry and I will use this opportunity to its full potential.

“Passionate, engaged and demonstrated leadership with maturity and insight. Current and future leader”

- Narelle Smith, Global Footprints Assessor

“The applicant's passion on sustainable design, specifically in greenspace integration, demonstrated a willingness to contribute to sustainable practices in Australia”

- Tim Pickles, Global Footprints Assessor