LIFE MEMBERS & SERVICE AWARDS

Stan Palmer

1982

Despite the retirement of Mr Palmer from active association with the business, the family name will live on. Historically the Palmers input into the industry had been tremendous not only in connection with apprenticeship matters where Mr Stan Palmer had always been very involved in people and training of apprentices for higher qualifications, but also in connection with their flare for marketing, resulting in the establishment at Glen Eden of one of the most up to date and efficient garden centres in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mr Palmer's contribution would be there for the next one hundred years and would serve to set standards for the whole industry.

David Goudie

1989

David Goudie was born in New Plymouth, the son of a well-respected rhododendron grower, Arthur Goudie who, with others, was responsible for setting up the world-renowned Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust and who became the Trust's first Curator. David joined Duncan & Davies Nursery as an apprentice and soon developed a great love for propagation.

Don Liddle

1994

Don Liddle has almost always been a Wellingtonian, having been born in Lower Hutt in 1929. He entered the nursery business in 1946 with Thomas Waugh and Son, an outstanding nursery of its time. Don then went on to work for that very illustrious nurseryman and author Richmond Harrison and, later, JH Wall, both of whom operated in Palmerston North. In 1953 he decided it was time to make his own mark and DJ Liddle Ltd was established

Mark Dean

2000

Mark Alston Dean trained as a teacher, graduating from the University of Waikato in 1969 with the degree of Bachelor Education and with a Diploma in Teaching, the same year in which he and Esme were married. He taught full-time for 10 years, specialising during the last two in outdoor education and establishing a horticultural business; two years part-time teaching followed as the enterprise moved into shelter trees and kiwifruit plants

Athol McCully

2004

Athol McCully was born in South Canterbury and raised on a farm at Seadown near Temuka. Athol attended Seadown primary, and Timaru Boys High school before leaving the district to attend Lincoln College, where he gained a Batchelor of Agricultural Science. Like so many Lincoln Alumni, Athol met his wife Cheryl in 1971 while at the college studying

Keith Lowe

2004

In our centenary year we had great pleasure in presenting a Life Membership to one of New Zealand's most accomplished and successful garden retailers, Mr Keith Lowe of California Home and Garden in Wellington. Keith was born in China in 1926 and travelled to New Zealand as a teenager to join his immigrant family

Peter Tayler

2007

Peter Tayler's life membership award is recognition of sterling service on behalf of the industry that is very much appreciated and deserved. Personal contributions from people like Peter are vital for the future well being of the industry .
(image - Andrew Tayler accepts Award on behalf of father, Peter Tayler)

Peter Pattullo

2008

Peter was born in 1933 and when he was five the family moved to a small farm 15 miles inland from Hastings, where Peter and his younger brother were to enjoy an idyllic childhood, roaming the hills, chasing rabbits, and having adventures. Sadly the idyll was interrupted with the sudden death of their mother. After a time their father remarried and another two boys completed the family. Peter followed in his father's footsteps.

Carol Fraser

2020

Carol Fraser’s work leaves a legacy that will ensure vital horticultural skills are kept alive and nourished.

Carol contributed to the Young Achiever award from 2009 to 2018, providing programme leadership, judging, coaching, and mentoring of young candidates.

Carol also made valuable and influential contributions to industry training programmes. She managed and tutored at the Growing Spectrum Horticultural Training Centre which operated until 2010, training students from throughout Waikato.

Sadly Carol passed away in early 2021. However, the profound contribution Carol made to the plant production industry as a nursery owner, as a trainer and mentor of young growers, and for her selfless involvement with industry groups, will last for generations.

Peter Fraser

2020

Peter Fraser has provided outstanding service and contribution to the plant nursery industry over many years.

Peter has seen great success and effectiveness in governance roles on the industry board, especially your leadership through changes in the industry and industry body.

Among other roles, Peter has served as both a board member and President of the Nursery and Garden Industry Association from 2007 until 2010. He has also been a member of the NZ Nurserymans’ Association Executive Committee on two separate occasions, as well as spending several years as Chair of the NZ Nurserymans’ Association Retailers Group.

Vince Wylaars

2021

Vince Wylaars, the Managing Director of Zealandia Horticulture, was awarded Life Membership in 2021 for his exceptional contribution to our industry, particularly in his role in establishing NZPPI.

When presenting this nomination NZPPI noted that life membership is usually awarded to people later in their careers, but Vince received this early, recognising the significant contribution and impact he has made.

As the Managing Director of Zealandia Horticulture since 2010, Vince has led the company's growth to become a leader in the New Zealand plant production industry.

Malcolm Woolmore

2022

This award recognises Malcolm’s outstanding service and contribution as an accomplished and passionate horticulturalist, plantsman and major industry player.

Over more than four decades Malcolm has developed his craft, built businesses, helped shape our industry and secured enduring relationships both in New Zealand and overseas. He built a significant business enterprise and network across the very successful Lyndale Nurseries, KiwiFlora and Custom Mix.

Malcolm has served several terms over two decades on the NZPPI’s Board and has dedicated countless hours and personal time to industry advocacy and promotion. He was the organisation’s “go to” plant producer on biosecurity matters bringing “coal face” expertise to advocacy.

He has also served on the IPPS NZ committee, is a long-term supporter of the Auckland Botanic Gardens and the Young Horticulturist Competition. The Royal NZ Institute of Horticulture recognised Malcolm’s work in 2022 with their highest award, an Associate of Honour.

Mr Terry Becher

TBA

Terry has had a long and active association with the Nursery and Garden Industry. With the passing of the years, that level of activity has remained undiminished. As a teenager, Terry wanted to become a nurseryman but an opening was not immediately available.

Mr Palle Olsen

1997

Born in Denmark, Palle Arne Olsen was brought by his parents to New Zealand at the age of three. As a young man he became an apprentice at Palmers, who were then growers as well as garden centre operators. From the moment he completed his time with them, he became self-employed setting up Palle's Nursery - now Prop-ex.

Mr Bob Edwards

1998

From a very young age Bob Edwards was interested in flowers and plants; it was logical that he should want to train as a nurseryman. He served his apprenticeship with Ralph Jordan at Australasian Nurseries, staying on for some eight years While there his interests developed beyond nursery work to landscape gardening and to advertising.