2026 | Horticulture
“My goal is to design and maintain gardens that are productive, climate-resilient, and biodiverse, serving as a practical bulwark against climate change and a much-needed beacon of hope for the future.”
This scholarship is a wonderful opportunity for me because I want to understand sustainable horticulture in a wider international context and bring practical ideas back to Australia. Through my Certificate III, landscaping work and volunteering, I have developed skills in garden maintenance, plant care, soil care, turf, vineyard work and revegetation. I am especially interested in sustainable food production at a local level.
I want to learn how home and community gardens can reduce food miles, increase access to fresh produce, improve biodiversity and support healthier environments. I hope to gain knowledge, connections and confidence as a horticulture professional.
I would like to travel to Portugal and Spain to learn about permaculture, food forests, syntropic agroforestry, urban gardening and water-smart growing systems in Mediterranean climates. I would like to see how productive gardens are designed for heat, limited water and changing conditions, then share what I learn with community gardens, home gardeners, training networks and workplaces.
“Alex has lots of experience and a desire to learn more, going above and beyond with volunteering and connecting with the community to make change around them, not just for themselves.”
- Assessor Panel