Winners Announced at 2020 NGINA Industry Awards

The winners of the 2020 Nursery & Garden Industry NSW & ACT (NGINA) industry awards were announced at a sell-out gala celebration at Springfield House, Dural. Hosted by Logie winner, Costa Georgiadis, an Australian landscape architect, television presenter and host of Gardening Australia, the awards recognised wholesale/production nurseries, retail nurseries, allied suppliers and industry bloomers from across NSW and the ACT for being top of their fields.

Anita Campbell, NGINA CEO, said the finalists this year have once again raised the bar which is even more amazing considering what a hard year it has been. “Our members have continually provided an essential service during a time when we have never needed them more. Whether guests took home a plaque or not, it must be remembered that everyone in the industry is a winner for getting through 2020.”

Ms Campbell continued, “In saying that, some members absolutely excelled this year and NGINA is delighted to recognise the individual efforts and contributions of these industry representatives across a wide range of categories. As expected, the standard of these entries was exceptionally high and each and every one of this year’s finalists demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in the nursery and garden industry.”

This year's NGINA industry award winners are:

Wholesale/Production Nursery of the Year 2020: Scotts Tubes

The judges of this category said that while the finalists all set a high standard for the industry to follow, Scotts Tubes stood out as a clear winner. Greg, Glenn and Candice Scott have demonstrated a clear and united vision, and key improvements include the installation of Wi-Fi across the site, improved water capture and storage, improved tariffication around the site and improved labelling for stock management. The grounds on which the site is located are kept in excellent condition and Scotts Tubes continues to remain NIASA accredited. Growers of upstart tubestock, renaissance herbs, romantic cottage flowers, kangaroo paws and other flowering products, Scotts Tubes is located at Mangrove Mountain in NSW.

Retail Nursery of the Year 2020: Heritage Nursery

Judging for this category involved an independent mystery shop and a judge’s visit. Heritage Nursery at Yarralumla in the ACT was found to be clean and tidy with well-presented and friendly staff. The judge commented that the layout of the garden centre is of a free-form nature that guides customers on a journey past most of the product range—indoors and outdoors. There was good use of inspirational and seasonal displays to engage and inspire customers. Their dedication to making their garden centre a COVID-safe place for customers to shop is outstanding.

Allied Supplier of the Year 2020: ICL Specialty Fertilizers

This category was judged by two industry veterans who were very impressed with the management team at ICL and their commitment to creating new products that are environmentally responsible.

Industry Bloomer of the Year 2020: Jon Philliponi from Andreasens Green

The judges felt it was a great privilege to judge this award and to meet such fine young people. The enthusiasm of all the nominees augurs well for the future of horticulture and the industry at large. The judges were impressed by Jon’s maturity in which he handled the challenges of 2020, and found him to be particularly committed to improving the sustainability of the business and encouraging more young people to the industry.

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners for the NSW & ACT Awards.