Gardening guru makes Queensland Garden Expo debut
May 25, 2016
Queensland Garden Expo organisers have announced revered horticultural expert and Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson will join the 2016 event’s all-star speaker line-up, marking the green thumb’s first formal appearance on the Queensland gardening circuit.
The event – held between 8 and 10 July – will deliver the largest speaker program of any gardening event in the country, featuring more than 100 presentations from 40 speakers across the three-day program.
Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager Marion Beazley said introducing highly regarded speakers from across Australia to Queensland gardeners had become an important part of the iconic event’s 32-year history, with Jamie Durie, Don Burke, Scott Cam and the Backyard Blitz team just some of the well-known gardening personalities that had made their first Queensland appearances at the event in past years.
“We’re looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2016 and welcoming Sophie to the stage along with fellow Gardening Australia personalities Costa Georgiadis and Jerry Coleby-Williams,” Ms Beazley said.
“Sophie is a renowned speaker, author, broadcaster, horticulturalist and trained naturopath, and will deliver presentations regarding gardening for health and wellbeing and gardening to save the planet,” Ms Beazley said.
“As a strong advocate for sustainable gardening practices, growing organic food, cooking from the home garden and creating backyards where kids can develop a lifelong connection with nature, I have no doubt Sophie will bring a wealth of knowledge to the Expo.”
Ms Beazley said this year’s event would also welcome a host of other high profile gardening personalities, including industry veteran Graham Ross, ABC 612 Gardening Talkback host Annette McFarlane, Phil ‘The Garden Guru’ Dudman, landscape architect Arno King and horticultural experts Claire Bickle and Noel Burdette to name but a few.
“We’re excited to have once again attracted the biggest names in the business to the annual event, and based on the feedback we have received from Expo enthusiasts to-date, we are confident the comprehensive speaker line-up will draw a sizeable crowd in July,” Ms Beazley said.
“More than 35,000 people are expected to pass through the entry gates over the course of the event, including seasoned growers and gardening novices.”
“The Expo offers something for all ages and levels of ability, with presentations covering everything from new plant releases and keeping chickens, right through to growing succulents and creating practical and beautiful gardens on a budget.”
The Expo will host presentations across eight live stages, offering three days of lectures, demonstrations and workshops.
The 2016 Queensland Garden Expo will be held at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between 8 and 10 July. For more information and to access the full program, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
Fast facts — Queensland Garden Expo
- Three-day event
- 35,000-plus attendees
- 360-plus exhibitors and displays including 55 nurseries
- 100-plus free lectures and demonstrations
- Eight speaker stages
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