As 2024 comes to a close, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all that has happened throughout the year. We firstly want to say thank you to our wonderful clients and community. We couldn’t do it without you, and it brings us so much joy to create, construct and maintain your dream gardens.
People
It’s been a remarkable year of growth here at Ian Barker Gardens. We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming several new faces to the team, and we’re thrilled to have them onboard.
This year has also been filled with significant milestones and exciting announcements. We’ve had nominations for Apprentice of the Year 2024 in Horticulture, Parks & Gardens, and Nursery. There’s been a wedding, an engagement announcement, successful exam results, not to mention the exciting revelation of a new baby on the way!
We couldn’t be happier for everyone and eagerly await what the coming year holds.
Each year, we have the opportunity to vote for our Employee of the Year. This award celebrates an exceptional staff member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to their work. The qualities of an Employee of the Year include (but aren’t limited to) delivering high-quality work, striving for continuous improvement and growth, exceeding performance expectations, supporting colleagues, and maintaining a positive, passionate attitude.
This year, we are proud to announce that Mitch, our Project Coordinator, has been recognised as Employee of the Year. We also want to congratulate our runners-up: Steve, our Landscape Manager; Mads, our Studio Manager; and Anna, our Landscape Architect. We are incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication everyone has contributed throughout the year.
Projects
We have two very exciting projects that will be shared in January – keep your eyes peeled!
Hawthorn Hills was a very special project for us. We love designing gardens for homes with heritage facades at Ian Barker Gardens. And when a John Beswicke-designed home came across our desks, we couldn’t be more excited. We were pleased to introduce this project as part of the NGVWA Open Garden Day in October. On the open day, seven private garden owners graciously welcomed the public. This allowed people to explore the gardens and revel in stunning designs coupled with unique plants and hardscapes. You can read more about NGVWA Garden Day here.
Kew Entertainer is a fabulous garden. The brief was to redesign the entire garden, reflecting a modern take on classic style while complementing the home’s contemporary feel. High on our client’s list was a lawn area for the children to enjoy. Followed by privacy screening on both sides of the rear garden and a designated entertaining space complete with a barbecue.
We also have a number of projects in the pipeline. We’re really looking forward to bringing these to life for our clients and being able to share them with you in the future.
Collaboration
Ian Barker Gardens has partnered with Château de Purnon to design the vast gardens surrounding the historic estate. Ian spent two weeks in July working alongside the Château’s Australian owners, Felicity and Tim. During this time, he worked on the landscape master plan and is thrilled with the progress – you can read the most recent update here.
Our Deepdene Forest Garden was featured on Better Homes and Gardens. Graham & Ian enjoyed a cup of tea while they spoke about the importance of protecting the property’s heritage and preserving existing trees to ensure they remain happy and healthy for many years to come. You can view the full video here.
As we wrap up another fantastic year, we thank you for your incredible support. We wish everyone a safe, happy and relaxing Christmas and New Year period!
