The Independent Garden Centres' national group recently held their annual conference, delayed for two years with Covid 19, over August 8 and 9. The 14-hour event, at Luna Park on Sydney Harbour, attracted 172 delegate members from around Australia and 29 trade exhibitors. This makes it not only one of the biggest events in professional horticulture in recent years but also one of the most successful, optimistic and joyous occasions for the gardening industry.
It was opened by former Agriculture Minister, Hon David Littleproud MP, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Leader of the National Party. Whilst ‘three cheers’ was awarded to David for his including garden centres in his limited essential services list in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, it was to the assembled audience he sincerely thanked for supporting the Australian community to keep gardening and encourage an extra 2-3 million Aussies to start gardening. This, the IGC members did 24/7 for two years, leaving many nursery families and staff exhausted and somewhat stressed themselves, but in the knowledge their work was essential for the country. David assured them it was also greatly appreciated by the then Australian government.
David Littleproud took time out to meet the AGC Chair and IGC Patron, Graham Ross AM, on the AGC stand at the conference.
Minister Littleproud was instrumental in awarding the AGC its primary funding in 2019 and he was delighted to hear of its progress especially engaging with Australian teenagers with encouragement and practical advice to seek a lifelong career in gardening and ornamental horticulture.