OUR EXPERT SPEAKERS
Queensland Garden Expo offers the largest speaker program of any gardening event in the country. Visit us on any of the three days of the event and you will find free talks on a variety of topics running on 6 live stages.
More than 150 presentations from over 50 speakers promises to deliver anything you need to know about gardening…and more!
JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS
JERRY COLEBY-WILLIAMS
Jerry Coleby-Williams is a horticultural botanist, writer, pioneer of sustainability, a Director of the Seed Savers’ Network, and Patron of H.O.P.E. Australia. Jerry is also the popular Queensland presenter on ABC’s Gardening Australia show and an ABC talkback radio presenter.
Initially trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), Jerry is qualified in horticultural estate management, soft landscape design, arboriculture, horticultural and botanical sciences.
Jerry has managed nurseries, urban forests, heritage parks, a garden centre, and is a former DJ. Jerry helped establish Mt Annan Native Botanic Garden (NSW). For twelve years, he managed the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. For twenty years, he has been growing food at ‘Bellis’, an award-winning sustainable garden in subtropical Brisbane. Jerry answers 15,000 gardening questions each year and he has been opening his garden to the public since 2005.
SOPHIE THOMSON
SOPHIE THOMSON
Sophie Thomson believes that gardens and gardening hold the solution to the problems we face in our own lives and in the environment around us. Her enthusiasm and passion for plants and gardening inspires people of all ages. She is a strong advocate for sustainable gardening practices, growing organic food, cooking from the home garden and creating backyards where kids can play freely and develop a lifelong connection with nature.
Sophie is an in-demand public speaker whose extensive multi-media career spans ABC’s TV’s Gardening Australia programme, weekly talkback radio plus writing for national print magazines and newspaper columns. Her most recent book ‘Sophies Patch” is a national best seller.
Recent times have seen her receiving public acknowledgement of her ongoing work with fire and flood devastated communities to help provide practical knowledge and information to support their desire to rebuild both their gardens and lives.
As she says…”Gardens connect us to the earth which grounds us, feeds and supports us….and to the first nations custodians who came before us…who knew that everything in this garden of nature is connected.”
COSTA GEORGIADIS
COSTA GEORGIADIS
Costa Georgiadis is a landscape architect who has an all-consuming passion for plants and people – he knows how to bring out the best in both of them, and takes great pleasure in bringing them together.
Costa believes in embracing and celebrating mother nature’s cycles and seasons and nurturing her balance, beauty and bounty organically. His holistic approach is all about gardening the soil and the soul.
Costa is the current host of Gardening Australia and will be in attendance at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday.
PHIL DUDMAN
PHIL DUDMAN
Phil Dudman is the Horticultural Editor of ABC Organic Gardener magazine and regular contributor to ABC Gardening Australia magazine, a gardening talkback host on ABC Local Radio, TV presenter and author for ABC Books.
A trained horticulturist and landscape designer, Phil’s true passion is in organic gardening and teaching others how to enjoy the greatest success when growing their own food.
Born and bred in Brisbane, he now lives in Lismore, Northern NSW.
MILLIE ROSS
MILLIE ROSS
Millie Ross is a horticulturist, garden designer and presenter on ABC TV Gardening Australia.
CLAIRE BICKLE
CLAIRE BICKLE
Claire is well known for her enthusiastic presenting, writing, broadcasting and educating on her favourite topics; gardening, chooks, children and all things related to sustainability and nature.
She has written for many publications and companies over the years and you can currently read her regular articles about these topics in Gardening Australia, Earth Garden and Good Organic Gardening Magazines, Rocky Point Better Earth Secrets and more. Claire is a regular presenter of gardening and sustainability topics on ABC Radio Brisbane.
On her 2acre garden in the western suburbs of Brisbane Claire takes pleasure in creating, enjoying and working her eclectic productive yet ornamental garden for herself, husband and 3 children. This is all combined to blend in with the surrounding native habitat.
And there is of course her collection of various poultry, from chooks to ducks, plus geese and turkeys”
She has over 30 year’s experience in the horticultural industry ranging from, retail, tafe, radio, journalism/writing, judging, presenting, a brand ambassador and taking gardening tours. Claire has a Diploma in Horticulture, a Cert IV in workplace assessment and training and an Adv Cert in Permaculture Design. She is a current member of the Horticultural Media Association of Australia.
ARNO KING
ARNO KING
Arno is a Brisbane-based landscape architect and horticulturist, familiar to many gardeners from his weekly broadcasts on Radio 4BC and articles in a variety of magazines, journals and blogs. Acknowledged for his appreciation of subtropical plants, garden design, and local practices, Arno enjoys sharing his passion for all things gardening with our audiences.
MATT GOLINSKI
MATT GOLINSKI
A native to the Sunshine Coast, Matt Golinski is a professional chef with a passion for creating cuisine using fresh, seasonal and local ingredients.
Well known as one of the original team members of the popular ‘Ready Steady Cook’ television series, Matt has worked as executive chef at some of Queensland’s leading restaurants over his 32-year career.
Based on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Matt now enjoys working as a consulting chef to restaurants, being a regular guest chef at festivals and events and writing food articles for InNoosa and Hello Sunshine magazines.
Matt lives with his wife and two young daughters on their property in the Noosa hinterland, where his focus has turned to learning about growing the food he loves to cook.
DALE CHAPMAN
DALE CHAPMAN
“Chef and the Gardener Crafting Delicious Dishes from Australian Native Ingredients, Straight from Your Own Backyard”
Aunty Dale Chapman Founder of My Dilly Bag
Aunty Dale Chapman is a Kooma, Yuwaalaraay woman from western Queensland. Regarded as a leader in her field, Aunty Dale is the founder of My Dilly Bag, a celebrated and award-winning chef, cookbook author, public speaker, television personality, YouTuber and lecturer. Active in Aboriginal affairs, Aunty Dale is a member of the Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, Slow Food International and Director of Stepping Black Indigenous Australia.
Aunty Dale is a qualified chef who has crafted culinary experiences from French to contemporary Australian cuisine in southeast Queensland for 35 years. She is passionate about sharing the oldest food in the world which takes her overseas to deliver keynote addresses, showcase flavours, explain nutritional and medicinal benefits, and teach key cooking techniques.
MATT CARROLL
MATT CARROLL
Matthew Carroll (aka Hortiman) is a regular at national gardening events where he shares his passion for all things plants, gardening technologies and innovation .
In 2012 he was named Australian Institute of Horticulture’s ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ and has also been recognized with awards for his prolific online work with several garden focused websites (Hortiman.com ; GardenEvents.com.au ; Hortipedia.com.au), social media accounts and podcasts.
PETER YOUNG
PETER YOUNG
Peter Young is an internationally renowned fruit tree expert and he will be giving daily talks in the Banksia Marquee. Peter will tell you everything you need to know, including how to deal with pests and diseases, fertilising and pruning your fruit trees.
JADE KING
JADE KING
Jade King is a passionate fingerlime producer on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and Chair of the Australian Native Fingerlime Alliance (ANFA). Jade has a Bachelor of Science in Soil Science, Masters in Agriculture and Graduate Diploma in Education. Jade is a 2022 Australian Nuffield Scholar and has traveled extensively across the world gathering knowledge on fingerlime production and research worldwide. She is also an independent agronomist and the Head of Agriculture Department at Glasshouse Christian College.
KATE WALL
KATE WALL
Kate Wall is a consulting gardener and gardening educator based in Brisbane. She has written for numerous publications and is a popular gardening speaker.
Kate runs regular gardening workshops on various topics linked to her lifelong passion – sustainable gardening. With formal qualifications in Environmental Biology, Kate specialises in creating rewarding gardens which embrace and celebrate the interconnectedness of all plants and creatures within the garden ecosystem.
Kate strives to make gardening not just sustainable but also easy and rewarding for everyone. Kate is the author of the essential gardener’s companion book “Working With Weeds”. Kate runs regular weed walks in Brisbane. Kate is the host and creator of Gardening in the Pub.
SARAH HEATH
SARAH HEATH
Sarah is passionate about growing and using culinary plants in her daily life. Growing herbs alongside her mother since 2002, Sarah brought and relocated Basilea Living Herb Farm to her property in 2013; building a one of a kind production spray free, reticulated hydroponic and organic herb and edible flower farm, with markets in to Brisbane’s fine dining Restaurants, Café’s and Bars.
One of Sarah’s many focuses have been Basilea’s ‘Eat today, Plant Tomorrow’ seedling range, encouraging people to grow their own kitchen garden; increase health and well welling. Recently Sarah open her Urban Farm up to monthly for direct sales to the public and educational workshops.
Sarah obtained her Production Horticulture Certificate via Prior Recognise Learning and dedicated to learning more about the wide world of edible plants and sharing this passion with others.
PETER HEATON
PETER HEATON
Heatons Nursery is a three generation family owned and operated indoor plant nursery that was established in 1976 based upon an extensive private collection of ferns. The collection included some 100 varieties of Adiantums (Maidenhair fern) and several of these plants had passed through the family for generations. Peter joined the business in 1989, and Anthuriums joined the nursery’s plant mix in 2005, complementing the ferns nicely and has continued to grow in popularity. The nursery is continually expanding varieties from all over the world.
ROSLYN MCCARTHY
ROSLYN MCCARTHY
Before embarking on farm diversification, Roslyn held a deep appreciation for the unique taste of cumquats. Recognising the necessity for agricultural versatility, she established a Cumquat Orchard, delving into the intricacies of cultivating cumquat trees for their sustained productivity.
In addition to growing cumquats, Roslyn value adds by creating various cumquat-based products. Eager to explore innovative uses for cumquats, she recently journeyed to the historic Greek Island of Corfu, renowned for its longstanding tradition of cultivating these citrus fruits.
LEONIE SHANAHAN
LEONIE SHANAHAN
Leonie Shanahan is passionate about growing food organically for the most nutritious, delicious, health-giving food. Leonie is the founder of Edible School Gardens program (2004) teaching thousands of students about the magic of growing and eating fresh food. She has been in horticulture for 28 years focusing on permaculture and organics.
Leonie is also the author of 3 books including Eat Your Garden – Organic Gardening book, Lyme disease Sucks, and Elevate your energy, produced a DVD – Edible School Gardens, and writes for ABC Organic Gardening Magazine. Leonie runs workshops and speaks at events empowering people to grow their own food and expand their palate of fresh food choices whether you are growing in a pot, backyard, acreage or in a community space – there are growing solutions for everyone.
ANN ROSS
ANN ROSS
Ann Ross from Hive Haven will ‘bee’ sharing tips on which bee species is best for your garden and lifestyle? The European Honey Bee or Australian Stingless Bee?
In keeping with the all things ‘garden expo’ Ann will share tips on what to plant in your garden to attract bees.
Ann will introduce her pollinator mx specially prepared & tested in the Hive Haven garden to provide a staggered colourful mix of herbs, flowers & vegetables that will attract beneficial pollinators to your garden. The Hive Haven pollinator mix will also attract a myriad of butterflies, lady beetles & lace wings. https://hivehaven.com.au/product/seeds-for-bees/
Hive Haven does not just farm bees, they also manufacture award winning native bee boxes specifically designed to alleviate hive overheating and enable the harvest of food grade native honey.
And if you’ve never tasted Australian stingless native bee honey; you’re in for a treat! Native honey has a distinct flavour, texture and high antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Bursting with a sweet and tangy flavour: your taste buds will be dancing to the eucalyptus and lemon infusion. Bring it on!
DOMINIQUE LIVKAMAL
DOMINIQUE LIVKAMAL
Dominique Livkamal is an award winning Naturopath based in SE QLD.
She develops and formulates medicinal herbal remedies and is the author of three books. Dom loves sharing academic information for wellness in a practical and doable way believing that food is our first medicine and we are all able to help ourselves with herbs, diet and education. www.medicineroom.com.au
MARTIN DUNCAN
MARTIN DUNCAN
Martin Duncan AKA ‘Sunshine Coast Foodie’ has a passion for showcasing the Sunshine Coast’s restaurants, cafes, producers and products. He is a former chef and restaurateur, and a true connector of people in food agribusiness, including the plant nursery and hospitality industries.
Join Martin and foodie friends in the Cooks Garden Marquee at the Queensland Garden Expo! Going to be a hoot!
Psst… Martin’s other passion is Sconetime – a wonderful opportunity for older people, along with their carers, companions and family, to establish social connections and come together with other people from the community over scones!
KETAH SILVESTER
KETAH SILVESTER
Ketah is a Brisbane based environmental researcher, known for her contributions to Gardening Australia and PIP magazines. Ketah also runs Brisbane Edible Gardening, a research initiative that raises awareness of unconventional food plants (www.BrisbaneEdibleGardening.org).
In conjunction with Rotary’s Food Plant Solutions and Paten Park Native Nursery, Ketah grows hundreds of unusual edible plants in an experimental food forest in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Enthusiastically sharing her knowledge through regular presentations with Queensland Herb Society, Subtropical Fruit Club, BOGI, Paten Park Native Nursery, ROGI and Northey Street City Farm as well as numerous community gardens and edible exchanges.
Ketah has also published two subtropical gardening guides (1) ‘ Bushfood Plants for Brisbane Backyards’ and (2) ‘A Guide to Hardy Edible Perennial Plants for Southeast Queensland’.
MEGG MILLER
MEGG MILLER
Megg Miller OAM is the editor of Grass Roots and Australasian Poultry magazines and a long-term contributor to Good Organic Gardening and Talking Birds.
Based in Victoria, she has been involved in rare breeds since the 1980s, breeding and showing poultry.
She is a leading speaker and judge on eggs, turkeys, guineas and jungle fowl.
Megg loves her range of purebred chooks and with great effort keeps them from destroying food and flower gardens.
ANNE GIBSON
ANNE GIBSON
Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener, is a speaker, organic gardening coach, educator and contributing writer for Garden Culture Magazine. She’s authored numerous eBooks and gardening guides and is the founder of The Micro Gardener, an award-winning consulting and online education business, helping people design and grow nutrient-dense food gardens in urban spaces.
Anne is passionate about inspiring people to improve their health by building healthy soil and growing minerally-rich plants. With a focus on easy sustainable practices, working with nature and Permaculture design principles, she shares organic gardening tips and tutorials to save time, money and energy on her popular website TheMicroGardener.com.
ALSO TALKING GARDENING
But wait there’s more! The following speakers will also be sharing their knowledge with us in 2024…
Cam Burton
Carol Kerkin
Chad Oliver
Chloe Abernethy
Ebony King
Gavin Hardy
Ginger McPherson
James Walker
Jessica Raintree
Jono Hooper and Ashley Keune
Karen Martin
Ken Cross
Kurt Ison
Leah Tearle
Lyndon Davis
Mark Rayner & Kieran King
Paul Jones
Peter Spotswood
Raeleen Draper
Rhea Phelan
Rita Everitt
Rob Leck
Roslyn Leslie
Sam Cook
Scott Robinson
Sean Morrow
Simone Bosshard
Stephanie Reif
Tim Lang
Tyron de Kauwe
Veronica Cougan
Zeke Davis & Robby Peters
