PATRON – JOHN PATRICK
In 2004 a grand vision and a healthy dose of optimism from Melbourne landscape architect, John Patrick, gave rise to the inaugural ‘Garden DesignFest’ event in November of that year. John, then a member of the Kew Rotary Club, passionately advocated the staging of a ‘designed garden’ open weekend in Melbourne, believing it would not only become the major biennial fundraising project for the club, but also a not to be missed event on Victoria’s spring gardening calendar.
John’s work together with the unwavering belief and initial commitment to the project of the Rotary Club and its volunteer supporters Jenny Wade, Ian Dalton and Simon Howe, is largely responsible for its success today. John’s concept for Garden DesignFest provides an opportunity to offer landscape designers a chance to interact with the gardening public, showcase their talents and raise the profile of garden design as a profession, whilst being part of an event where100% of funds raised are donated to charity.
John proudly reflects on the generosity of his industry, where both well known and up and coming designers have enthusiastically embraced Garden DesignFest, many being active participants in the event on a continuing basis. The broader industry has taken up the event wholeheartedly and supported it through sponsorship, advertising and product donations – all joining together to not only help those less fortunate, but also working as one to present a socially responsible professional horticultural sector to the wider community.
John’s involvement continues as Patron of Garden DesignFest 2010. Apart from resounding enthusiasm, he brings to the event over 30 years’ experience as principal of a landscape architectural practice, television appearances on Burkes Backyard and Gardening Australia, authorship of several books and magazine articles, appearances on radio, years of landscape design lecturing at Melbourne University’s Burnley College and a lifetime of interest in gardens, travel, architecture, art and history. His ongoing passion to foster growth within the horticultural sphere makes Garden DesignFest a perfect vehicle, resulting in tangible benefits to people’s lives through the work of its benefiting charities and giving enormous pleasure to the gardening public at large.
Copyright© Rotary Club of Kew 2010 Website design and construction by Ian Dalton and Kerry Cross