Hannah Downie

2025 | Horticulture

“Creating spaces that invite nature to exist in the hustle and bustle of inner-city Melbourne is a great and fulfilling goal.”

I have always been an environmentally cautious person and have created a habitat garden and in my suburban home, where I now spot Blue banded bees and native birds. Creating spaces that invite nature to exist in the hustle and bustle of inner-city Melbourne is a great and fulfilling goal.

At work in a plant nursery my love and enthusiasm for creating habitats rubs off onto our customers. Engaging and encouraging gardeners I can make a difference.

My goal for this scholarship is to educate myself on global plant diversity and horticulture practices of other countries. Working alongside likeminded people who share this passion excites me greatly.

I hope to travel to the UK and experience horticulture and garden design at places like Kew Gardens, the Chelsea Flower Show and Great Dixter Garden. Learning traditional flower gardening practices and understanding the history of these iconic gardens would be extremely rewarding.

“Hannah shows lots of passion, which only comes naturally and cannot be taught. Her enthusiasm and love for sustainability will open a lot of doors and create great networks.”

– Assessor Panel