SPEAKERS
CONFIRMED EDUCATORS FOR 2026
Kat Pearson
Kat loves gardening, growing her own food and plants in general. She's been working on her current garden in subtropical Brisbane for the last 6 plus years but have been gardening for much much longer in all sorts of places. She is an ex-engineer, recently turned horticulturist (life’s too short not to work in something you love!). She grows edibles and ornamentals in an often wild, rambling jungle, filled with birds and bugs, including a handful of pet chooks and...
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Kat Pearson
Kat loves gardening, growing her own food and plants in general. She's been working on her current garden in subtropical Brisbane for the last 6 plus years but have been gardening for much much longer in all sorts of places. She is an ex-engineer, recently turned horticulturist (life’s too short not to work in something you love!). She grows edibles and ornamentals in an often wild, rambling jungle, filled with birds and bugs, including a handful of pet chooks and a brand new puppy (who likes to chase said chickens and is not adverse to helping me dig a hole!). https://www.girlinthegreen.com.au/
Chloe Thomson
Chloe Thomson is a passionate gardener, avid educator and award winning presenter.She is the editor of ABC Organic Gardener. During her 18 years in the horticultural industry she’s written for the bi-monthly Good Organic Gardening magazine and monthly Gardening Australia magazine, emceed the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and the Ballarat Begonia Festival, hosted a podcast for Bunnings and presented on Garden Gurus. She’s also written blogs and created video content for popular brands including Bunnings, Oasis Horticulture, Nylex...
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Chloe Thomson
Chloe Thomson is a passionate gardener, avid educator and award winning presenter.She is the editor of ABC Organic Gardener. During her 18 years in the horticultural industry she’s written for the bi-monthly Good Organic Gardening magazine and monthly Gardening Australia magazine, emceed the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show and the Ballarat Begonia Festival, hosted a podcast for Bunnings and presented on Garden Gurus. She’s also written blogs and created video content for popular brands including Bunnings, Oasis Horticulture, Nylex and Cyclone. She co-founded and presented on ‘The Gardenettes’ online video series for 4 years, winning the Video Laurel Award from the Horticultural Media Association Australia (HMAA) for her story on Beautiful Brassicas in 2020.
Chloe's a co-host on the 3CR weekly radio program "The Gardening Show" and regular guest on ABC Radio Melbourne. During the depths of Melbourne lockdowns, Chloe hosted a short podcast series for Bunnings called ‘Staying Grounded’ and was awarded the Best Audio Laurel from the HMAA in 2022 for her work. In 2021 Chloe created Sprout School a unique online gardening course designed to inspire and educate anyone to be a better gardener. Teaching over 150 students over 2 years, the doors to Sprout School are currently closed. In 2023 Chloe presented and produced a brand new online video series ‘Behind the Garden Gate’ that has been aired on YouTube. This unique video series is designed to take you - the viewer - into private gardens to be inspired and learn from clever garden designers and other passionate gardeners.
PHIL DUDMAN
Phil is a horticulturist and garden designer with a passion for growing organic food and teaching others how. When he’s not out in his patch, he is busy in his roles as Horticultural Editor of ABC Organic Gardener magazine and contributor to ABC Gardening Australia and Diggers Club magazines. Phil also hosts the Good Gardening radio program on ABC North Coast, is an author for ABC Books and was a regular TV presenter on Channel 9’s Garden Gurus.
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PHIL DUDMAN
Phil is a horticulturist and garden designer with a passion for growing organic food and teaching others how. When he’s not out in his patch, he is busy in his roles as Horticultural Editor of ABC Organic Gardener magazine and contributor to ABC Gardening Australia and Diggers Club magazines. Phil also hosts the Good Gardening radio program on ABC North Coast, is an author for ABC Books and was a regular TV presenter on Channel 9’s Garden Gurus.
Julia Rose
Julia Rose is a remarkable artist who has captivated the art world with her outstanding talent and unique vision. She specializes in Floral Couture and interactive and immersive art installations. Through this work, she has carved a niche for herself in the realm of artistic expression. Julia Rose’s Floral Couture creations are a breathtaking blend of nature and fashion. She combines delicate blooms, vibrant petals, and lush greenery skillfully. She creates stunning wearable art pieces. These pieces transcend traditional fashion...
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Julia Rose
Julia Rose is a remarkable artist who has captivated the art world with her outstanding talent and unique vision. She specializes in Floral Couture and interactive and immersive art installations. Through this work, she has carved a niche for herself in the realm of artistic expression. Julia Rose’s Floral Couture creations are a breathtaking blend of nature and fashion. She combines delicate blooms, vibrant petals, and lush greenery skillfully. She creates stunning wearable art pieces. These pieces transcend traditional fashion boundaries. Her floral couture designs demonstrate her skill in transforming ordinary flowers. She turns them into exquisite pieces of artwork. These designs evoke both emotion and beauty. Julia Rose’s artistic talent shines through her Floral Couture creations and interactive and immersive art installations. Her ability to seamlessly blend nature, fashion, technology, and emotion is a testament to her brilliance as an artist. Julia Rose invites us to explore the extraordinary in the ordinary. She does this either through the delicate petals of her floral couture or the transformative experiences of her installations. She encourages us to embrace art that not only captures our attention but also stirs our souls.
Mickey Pascoe
Little Acre founders, Mickey and Amy Pascoe, started growing mushrooms in their backyard in Brisbane in 2017. Their hobby soon flourished into an urban gourmet mushroom farm, supplying top restaurants in the city with locally grown mushrooms. The pair have personally grown tonnes and tonnes of mushrooms and dedicated the last 8 years of their lives to becoming experts in this field. They have honed their craft, sought knowledge and training from overseas and toured facilities globally. Little Acre now...
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Mickey Pascoe
Little Acre founders, Mickey and Amy Pascoe, started growing mushrooms in their backyard in Brisbane in 2017. Their hobby soon flourished into an urban gourmet mushroom farm, supplying top restaurants in the city with locally grown mushrooms. The pair have personally grown tonnes and tonnes of mushrooms and dedicated the last 8 years of their lives to becoming experts in this field. They have honed their craft, sought knowledge and training from overseas and toured facilities globally. Little Acre now supports mushroom growers nationwide, offering mushroom kits, mushroom grain spawn, substrates, and growing supplies.
Jordan Alexander
Jordan is the founder of The Shed Organics, whose mission is to help home gardeners and businesses create thriving, sustainable gardens through organic practices. We offer master garden planning services, custom organic fertiliser blends, and practical advice for gardeners of all levels. Our vision is to inspire a healthier connection with the land and nature, encouraging barefoot gardening and natural solutions. The Shed Organics was born out of a backyard garden shed and the desire for local organic sources to...
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Jordan Alexander
Jordan is the founder of The Shed Organics, whose mission is to help home gardeners and businesses create thriving, sustainable gardens through organic practices. We offer master garden planning services, custom organic fertiliser blends, and practical advice for gardeners of all levels. Our vision is to inspire a healthier connection with the land and nature, encouraging barefoot gardening and natural solutions. The Shed Organics was born out of a backyard garden shed and the desire for local organic sources to add to our soils. We wanted to feed our soil the best quality nutrients we could find and generate soil fertility like no other. Our gardens have never been the same since and now we can share this with you. Our local friends and family, and greater community beyond!
At The Shed Organics, we believe in nourishing plants naturally with the best and cleanest soil amendments available, such as The Shed Organics #1 Blend, to ensure optimal plant growth and produce high-quality, nutrient-rich food. Our mission is to empower gardeners with the knowledge and tools to cultivate thriving gardens while minimizing harm to the environment. We strive to provide exceptional customer service, education, and premium organic products, to support our customers in their journey towards sustainable gardening and a healthier planet.
Justine Dillon
Introducing Justine Dillon, a Kombumerri & Quandamooka woman and Traditional Owner of the beautiful Gold Coast and Moreton Bay area. As the Project Coordinator for Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated & Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area, Justine is dedicated to environmental conservation and community engagement with Kombumerri culture. Hear Justine's First Nations perspective on urban greening and its ability to connect us with culture, each other and where we live. With her extensive experience in fire management, water quality testing, and...
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Justine Dillon
Introducing Justine Dillon, a Kombumerri & Quandamooka woman and Traditional Owner of the beautiful Gold Coast and Moreton Bay area. 
As the Project Coordinator for Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated & Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area, Justine is dedicated to environmental conservation and community engagement with Kombumerri culture.
Hear Justine's First Nations perspective on urban greening and its ability to connect us with culture, each other and where we live.
With her extensive experience in fire management, water quality testing, and conservation landcare management, Justine brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the conversation.
As the Project Coordinator for Ngarang-Wal Gold Coast Aboriginal Association Incorporated & Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area, Justine is dedicated to environmental conservation and community engagement with Kombumerri culture.
Hear Justine's First Nations perspective on urban greening and its ability to connect us with culture, each other and where we live.
With her extensive experience in fire management, water quality testing, and conservation landcare management, Justine brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the conversation.
JOHN PALMER OAM
Trained in Agricultural science and Environmental Consulting John Palmer received an Order of Australia medal for services to the environment, particularly on the Gold Coast, in 2000. John respects indigenous values as an eco-tour guide in natural settings, identifying non-invasive and edible herbs, shrubs, trees & vines volunteering from around the world, growing in enriched local landscapes situations.
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JOHN PALMER OAM
Trained in Agricultural science and Environmental Consulting John Palmer received an Order of Australia medal for services to the environment, particularly on the Gold Coast, in 2000. John respects indigenous values as an eco-tour guide in natural settings, identifying non-invasive and edible herbs, shrubs, trees & vines volunteering from around the world, growing in enriched local landscapes situations.
CLAIRE BICKLE
Claire, a dedicated horticulturalist based in Brisbane, has nurtured an unwavering love for gardening and nature throughout her life. Inspired by her grandmother, she has passed down this passion to her own children, fostering a shared appreciation for the natural world. With over three decades of experience in the field, Claire’s expertise is widely recognized, and she actively participates in various horticultural associations. Residing on a spacious property in the western suburbs, she takes pleasure in sustainable gardening practices, cultivating...
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CLAIRE BICKLE
Claire, a dedicated horticulturalist based in Brisbane, has nurtured an unwavering love for gardening and nature throughout her life. Inspired by her grandmother, she has passed down this passion to her own children, fostering a shared appreciation for the natural world. With over three decades of experience in the field, Claire’s expertise is widely recognized, and she actively participates in various horticultural associations. Residing on a spacious property in the western suburbs, she takes pleasure in sustainable gardening practices, cultivating organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs that seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment.
MORAG GAMBLE
Morag is a global leader of the permaculture movement for change and for the past 25 years and has been a regular presenter at Botanical Bazaar over the years. Unfortunately Morag broke her ankle earlier in the week and had to withdraw from the program. We wish her a swift recovery.
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MORAG GAMBLE
Morag is a global leader of the permaculture movement for change and for the past 25 years and has been a regular presenter at Botanical Bazaar over the years. Unfortunately Morag broke her ankle earlier in the week and had to withdraw from the program. We wish her a swift recovery.
CATHERINE PICKERING
Professor Catherine Pickering is a botanist and Professor of Environmental Science in the School of Environment and Science at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Over the last 10 years, the University has turned the Gold Coast campus into a living laboratory showcasing local native plants suitable for a wide range of different gardens from formal architectural roof gardens to cool food forests. With over 400 species of native plants in the endangered forest as well as gardens, including more...
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CATHERINE PICKERING
Professor Catherine Pickering is a botanist and Professor of Environmental Science in the School of Environment and Science at Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Over the last 10 years, the University has turned the Gold Coast campus into a living laboratory showcasing local native plants suitable for a wide range of different gardens from formal architectural roof gardens to cool food forests. With over 400 species of native plants in the endangered forest as well as gardens, including more than 20 endangered species, the campus is now a destination for locals interested in plants and has featured on Gardening Australia.
