Creating Impact by investing in careers

Horticulture is an industry not known for its ‘splash of cash’ for extra training or upskilling.

But in the late 1990’s the Ryde School of Horticulture Student Fund left as a legacy a substantial sum of money for the benefit of future horticulturists trained in the TAFE system.

This was given in trust to Australian Institute of Horticulture who set up a NSW State competition, the Young Horticulturist of the Year. Over the next 7 years the winners used the grants to travel overseas for further study or to develop specialised horticultural websites to name just a few projects. Grants were also made to Horticultural Therapy, Hidden Garden Design Festival and show gardens at the Royal Easter Show.

Now, since 2017 it is BBM who is the major beneficiary and manages the grant.

This scholarship is based on the concept of a TAFE student or recent graduate who is developing an exciting, innovative or sustainably oriented project that provides a benefit to the horticultural industry and/or further develops the choice of horticulture as a career.

It has been my privilege to be one of the Trustees, and I look forward to the continuing association with BBM and meeting the next winner.

Ros Andrews – Trustee 1997 – 2020

Ros Andrews with Joel Smith and Jessica Smith at the 2017 BBM Awards Night at Parliament House (left to right).

BBM Horticulture Scholars suported by the Ryde Student Fund: