The Horticultural Media Association of Australia (HMAA) recently held its 2018 Laurel Awards. The HMAA Laurels recognise the best writers, photographers, educators, researchers and broadcasters who have demonstrated an exceptional capacity in communicating the benefits and joys of gardening to the community.
Several GardenDrum contributors were recognised for their work. Phil Dudman won the Article Laurel for a story called Garden Crimes, Tim Entwisle, the Blog Laurel for Talking Plants and Adam Woodhams won the Video Laurel for How to escape-proof your agapanthus.
For their contribution to horticultural media in Australia both Jennifer Stackhouse and Angus Stewart received awards. Both are regular GardenDrum contributors.
Anita Boucher award recipient Jennifer Stackhouse. Image Gerard Hynes
Anita Boucher award
Jennifer, received the Anita Boucher Outstanding Achievement Award, which: “recognises her understanding and experience of different facets of the horticulture industry and the broad range of media with which she has been involved. From production nursery to botanic garden to landscape design, Jennifer has written, commented, presented, edited, photographed, tour guided, judged, blogged and even tweeted about it. She is the consummate 21st century horticultural communicator and has been a constant contributor to the industry for more than 25 years.”
Gold Laurel winner, Angus Stewart. Image Gerard Hynes
The Gold Laurels
Meanwhile the prestigious Gold Laurel was presented to Australian native plants expert Angus Stewart. According to his nomination citation: “Angus has worked for many years in breeding and developing new native plants, particularly kangaroo paws. His ‘Bush Gems’ kangaroo paws have been sold in their millions around the world. Angus promotes native plants as part of his ongoing commitment to sharing his horticultural knowledge.”
Gold Laurel winner, Annette McFarlane. Image Gerard Hynes
Annette McFarlane also received a Gold Laurel for being, “a passionate educator, organic gardener, seed saver, and city farm and community garden advocate. Gardeners have benefited profoundly from Annette’s generous, sage advice on preparing, growing and maintaining gardens using organic principles. She’s a quiet achiever whose contribution is educative and inspiring.”
All the winners
Book Laurel – AB Bishop and Angus Stewart for The Australian Native Garden
Blog Laurel – Tim Entwisle for Talking Plants
Image Laurel – Penny Woodward for Bunch of Garlic
Magazine Laurel – Jenny Baldwin for Gardening Australia
Video Laurel – Adam Woodhams for How to escape-proof your agapanthus
Article Laurel – Phil Dudman for Garden Crimes
Website Laurel – Graham Ross for gardenclinic.com
Audio Laurel – Deryn Thorpe and Steve Wood for All the Dirt podcasts
Television Laurel – Michael McCoy for Dream Gardens
