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.

Sophie is no stranger to us, her face lighting up ABC TV’s Gardening Australia. In addition she is a regular writer for the Gardening Australia Magazine and is heard weekly on talk back radio Adelaide. A self-confessed, obsessive compulsive gardener her enthusiasm is infectious as is evident in her best selling book “Sophie’s Patch” which describes how she took a dusty dry cow paddock and turned this into a beautiful working garden.

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.    

Kevin is an active member of Food Agribusiness Network FAN He grows a wide range of edible plants at his boutique nursery and demonstration gardens on the Sunshine Coast. Equally passionate about harvesting and using these amazing culinary ingredients, he will share some recipes and techniques for cooking and enjoying the seasonal abundance.

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 is a global leader of the permaculture movement for change and for the past 25 years.  Local food systems and permaculture education have seen her teach in communities and universities around the globe. As a Global Permaculture Ambassador, Morag has led programs in 22 countries. She has lived  and breathed the solution to move us beyond sustainability, to regeneration.

Josephine Romeo is an educator and conservationist specialising in Butterflies and their habitats. Josephine founded a social enterprise known as Gold Coast Butterflies in 2012 to help with creating awareness for the need to preserve and create more butterfly habitats, visiting many schools and attending community events. Gold Coast Butterflies established a Butterfly House at Carrara Markets in 2018 which is a sustainable habitat for many Australia native butterfly species. This is open to the public and schools to visit and learn about the butterfly lifecycle and their conservation. Butterfly attracting plants and seeds are available there so you can create a butterfly habitat in your own backyard. Josephine also volunteers with the Friends group at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens to provide informative butterfly guided walks and conduct regular butterfly research.

An Environmental Scientist, soil analyst & passionate home gardener, Ian’s invested over 20yrs perfecting the art of growing high-quality food in the most ecological ways possible. Disappointed by the decline in commercial food nutrition and flavour, he’s an avid proponent for growing our own truly gourmet food using natural, organic and local inputs. With an intimate understanding of soils, landscape ecology, plant nutrition and through years of research and experience he’s a passionate & engaging educator.

31 years strong in the industry – and still growing – Gavin Bullock has been operating his own business since 2005. Throughout his career, he has worked in nurseries, vegetable farms, owned his own potting mix and soils business until he eventually created his own consultancy and landscaping business. Join Gavin on a walk and talk at Nerang Community Gardens. This year he’s talking Healthy Root Systems!

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.