AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE

INSPIRED by the letters of his great grandfather, Lieutenant Frederick Johnson of the XXII Corps, Phil’s MIFGS 2015 tribute to the Anzacs was a moving, uniquely Australian display of remembrance and reflection for the 100th Anniversary of Australia’s involvement in World War I.  

Raised in the gold mining town of Reedy Creek in Victoria, Phil’s great grandfather spent endless hours walking through his beloved dry bushland and winding creeks. Working with Lynn Berry and the 5000 Poppies Project, his MIFGS project was a deeply personal experience for Phil who doubtless inherited his love of the Australian bush from Frederick.  

Phil Johnson is a passionate speaker, advocate and designer and we are all keenly looking forward to his participation at the ALC September Conference!  Engagement with Australia’s unique flora and conditions is rarely done with such panache and skill.

THE WORKSHOPS & LIFTING YOUR GAME

Our workshops were introduced as an addition to the Conference in 2013 and were a great success. They provide a unique opportunity for you to engage with leading experts improving our skills and introducing new ideas.  The 2015 workshops provide fresh topics, with something for everyone.

This month’s featured workshop introduces Tim Samson of Diggers:

Tim Sansom, The Diggers Club – 3.30pm – 5.00pm (Monday and Tuesday)

”What’s Old is New” focusing on heirloom vegetables, annual flowers and perennials for Australian gardens. 

Our Gardening Heritage.

The plant choices that we make as professional and amateur gardeners for our gardens are vast and it is very challenging to sort the truth from the spin, especially with so many new introductions that are the foundation for many promotions.

Tim Sansom is the highly respected CEO of Horticulture at The Diggers Club, an organisation that has been working for 30 years – with its mission to promote the best gardening traditions.

Through extensive trialling and observation of vegetable cultivars in dedicated grounds - and the curation of Australia’s only certified organic show gardens open to the public - Diggers has an outstanding reputation as one of Australia’s most respected garden authorities.

In this workshop Tim provides practical knowledge of tried and true garden varieties that are often overlooked but are the dependable foundation for good gardens. ‘What’s Old Is New’ has long been the catch-cry of heirloom vegetable aficionados where the virtues of local, open-pollinated and tasty vegetable varieties exemplify the adage. If we are going to the trouble of growing vegetables and fruit, why not seek out the very best and most interesting varieties and then ensure that they are grown in the best possible conditions? 

The same is true for many of our ornamental garden selections. In this workshop Tim shares the history of the seeds and cultivars that are available to gardeners and landscapers today and explores the lineage of the plant hunters and seed savers of the past and their contribution to our modern gardens. 

MARTIN REIN-CANO, OF TOPOTEK1, WINS MASTERPLAN DESIGN COMPETITION IN INDIA

Congratulations to Martin and Topotek1!  He is providing two presentations at this year's conference and a Burnley College workshop on Monday 21 September. “Streets as Public Spaces: including the significance of trees and planting concepts”.

This highly creative and brilliant planner/designer is a must for landscapers, planners and all those with a passion for the future of our cities and landscaping.

CLICK HERE for more details.

TOPOTEK1’s (Martin is the principal designer) winning proposal for the Indian International Competition “Landscape Master Plan of GIFT City and its Components” evolves step by step over time from the building construction’s excavated earth to reveal the new city growth. 

The dynamic process avoids earth transportation enabling a sustainable recycling of all resources on site. There will be a scale transition between the surrounding flat landscape and the high-rise towers. A diverse program includes culture, leisure and sports ensuring a very rich community space for people of all ages.

Martin has been described by international commentator Tim Richardson as one of the most brilliant and provocative landscaping minds in Europe.  Warwick Forge, Director of the ALC Conference visited Martin last year and confirmed that he has a brilliant and creative mind.  ‘He will keep everyone on the edge of their seats.’

For full details on the presenters, workshops and program topics available at this year's ALC visit www.landscapeconference.com

CONTACTS

Registrations
Sue Forge
Registrar
Ph 043 818 1578 sue@landscapeconference.com

Workshops, Sponsorship, Pre-conference tour and venue matters
Jenny Wade
Conference Manager
Ph 0409 000 089 jennywade@bigpond.com

Media, Speakers, Logistics and Overseas tours
Warwick Forge, Conference Director
Ph: 03 9804 8915 warwick@bloomings.com.au

Images:
1. 5000 Poppies - Phil's gardens are for living and for fun!
2. Phillip Johnson
3. 5000 Poppies - 'a moving, uniquely Australian display of remembrance'
4. Heronswood, home of the Diggers Club
5. Practical and well designed fruit and veggie garden