Festival Speakers 2024

Time

Speaker

Topic

1.15pm

Bruce Argaet

Bruce’s obsession with bonsai started by accident around 40 years ago when his son gave him a ready-made bonsai. Bruce didn’t want to disappoint his son and did everything he could to keep it alive – and the passion was ignited. Although he hasn’t counted the number of trees in his collection, he estimates it’s a couple of hundred!

The Art of Bonsai

An ancient art form, Bruce will share the history of bonsai and examples of the different styles. Plus plenty of tips for everyone – from beginners wanting to create their first tree, to the experienced bonsai grower looking to expand their skills.

2.15pm

Marika Wagner

Marika’s a horticulturalist with years of experience in retail nurseries and later teaching garden classes to adults. Her special interest is growing produce organically, but she loves all flowering plants for their bright and colourful displays. 

Create a Hanging Basket

Sun or shade, indoors or out, upright or trailing – the options for creating a hanging basket are seemingly endless. At our Festival, horticulturalist and Waverley Garden Club member Marika will demonstrate how to create a show-stopping hanging basket.

3.15pm

Peter Moskovic

Peter’s an enthusiastic home gardener who’s been growing veggies for more than 20 years. He enjoys watching them grow from seeds and the constant challenges from outside forces (insects, animals & weather).

Growing Vegetables

At this hands-on workshop you’ll be able to plant your own punnet of summer veggies including cucumbers, lettuce, beans, pumpkin and more. Peter will share his tips and tricks to create your own bountiful patch.

10.15am

Sally Kent

Sally’s an avid gardener whose passion was sparked and nurtured by having a mother who was a landscape gardener and nursery woman.  Sally’s particular interest in cacti and succulents also emanated from her mother who built a second glasshouse in the 70’s, specifically for propagating succulents.  Sally is a member of WGC and the Cati & Succulent Society of Australia.

Cacti & Succulents

The hottest trend in plants, Sally will share some interesting facts about cacti and succulents, including the different types, where they come from and importantly how to care for them.  Sally will demonstrate who to plant different types together to make a fantastic display.

11.15am

Alison Jones

With a background in Permaculture design, Alison is passionate about protecting the environment.  A long-time member of Ashwood High school Community Garden, Alison has run many workshops for the students as well as a regular program on growing food sustainably.  Most of the seedlings planted in the community garden Alison grows from seed.  

Growing from Seed

With so many advantages in growing veggies from seed, Alison, will share her practical tips on how and when to get it right and avoid any pitfalls. Plus a hands on opportunity to plant some seeds to take home to get you started.

12.15pm

Wendy Clark

A teacher of photography and professional photographer, in her spare time Wendy is a member of many groups including the Field Naturalist Club of Victoria (FNCV), the Invertebrate Study Group of FNCV, Waverley Garden and Bonsai Club and the Victorian Bulb Society.  Wendy is currently involved in a project to document the invertebrate life at Blackburn Lake Sanctuary.

The Small Creatures in Your Garden

Suburban gardens are full of insects, spiders and other small creatures, but did you know they play an important role in keeping your garden healthy? Through her amazing photography, Wendy will treat us with an up close look at a range of fascinating critters plus some interesting and funny stories.

1.15pm

Norbert Easton

Norbert is relatively new to these shores, having moved to Australia from Mauritius 20 years ago.  And the move ignited a passion for growing all kinds of fruit, vegetables and herbs.  An average size suburban block doesn’t deter Norbert; he grows enough produce to feed his family year-round.

All About Herbs

At Norbert’s place none of the fresh herbs he grows ever go to waste.  Anything that’s not used fresh gets dried or preserved and Norbert will demonstrate just how easy it is! Whether to use fresh, dried or preserved, Nobert will demonstrate how to grow and when to harvest many different types of herbs, and how to cook with them to get the most flavour.

2.15pm

Rob McClure

A qualified horticulturalist and self-proclaimed ‘mad plant collector’, Rob has a keen interest in rare and unique types of plants such as bromeliads, bulbs, aroids as well as bonsai.

Growing Bromeliads 101

With so many different colours and textures to choose from, there’s bound to be a bromeliad that suits your garden style and garden. Rob will share some information about bromeliads, plus tips to grow them and keep them looking healthy.

3.15pm

Bryan Nitz

With over 60 years of experience growing orchids, Bryan takes his orchid growing very seriously and is always striving to grow all his plants to perfection.  Bryan is a life member of the Melbourne Eastern Orchid Society, a foundation member of the Cymbidium Orchid Soc of Vic and the Waverley Garden Club.

Cymbidiums and Phalaenopsis Orchids

These two species of orchids grow well in Melbourne and it’s easy to encourage them to flower prolifically.  Bryan will share his expertise about caring for these types of orchids.