Past MIFGS Grant recipients
2023 MIFGS Grant recipient: Emma Sheppard-Simms
Emma Sheppard-Simms was the recipient for our first MIFGS Student grant.
Emma is a landscape architect and University of Melbourne (Burnley) horticulture student. Her winning garden design was built and installed by an all-female trade team, in what is believed to be a first in the history of MIFGS.
“I’m delighted that Open Gardens Victoria has provided me with this opportunity. It’s so important that we showcase the skills of women currently working in the landscape industry. To this end, my garden will be entirely built by a team of female landscape architects, landscapers, horticulturists, and volunteers,” Emma said.
Emma’s garden design was selected from a strong field of applicants. The design stood out with its strong focus on the brief, demonstrating a diversity of plant choices, sustainable practices, and the promotion of the health benefits of gardening—all within the bounds of a charming, achievable design. Emma’s proposal to put together an all-female installation team added extra appeal to the project. Our hope was that women who saw the garden at MIFGS will be encouraged to take up a career in horticulture.
Called A Place for Us, the garden showcased the creative diversity of native plant species while encouraging biodiversity, water-wise gardening, and the use of sustainable, locally-sourced materials. A Place for Us demonstrates the power of gardens to accept and educate, to welcome and provide. It is a place for us all.
• A place for curious plant fans —visitors were drawn to the diverse, colourful, and playful use of native plants. The effect was a carpet of perennials, ground covers, and ornamental grasses.
• A place for water-wise gardening —a low-irrigation garden that collects and retains rainwater. Water drained along the gabion walls and was directed to a small rain garden and aquatic feature.
• A place for all living creatures —habitat for birds, insects, reptiles, and small mammals were found in the rocky shelter of the gabion wall, in the flowering undergrowth, and aquatic plantings around the rain garden.
• A place for supporting mental health —a garden antidote to the stress of the world. A green oasis, a place apart, a 'birdhouse for the soul'—a link to the natural world that is needed now more than ever before
• A place to celebrate the contribution of female designers and tradeswomen in the landscaping industry and acknowledge that construction sites are places where women with the right skills, tools, and talent are welcome.
“The garden was entirely built by a team of female landscape architects, landscapers, horticulturists, and volunteers.”
2024 MIFGS Grant recipient: Sarah McLauchlan
Landscape designer and graduate of the London College of Garden Design (Melbourne), Sarah McLauchlan, was the successful recipient of the 2024 Open Gardens Victoria Student Design Competition.
“I am absolutely thrilled that my design has been selected as the winning entry. This year’s theme, The Living Pantry, appealed immensely. The world of edible gardens holds such a special place in my heart. In fact, I have been crafting an urban edible oasis at my own home for the past seven years,” said Sarah McLauchlan.
The Living Pantry theme was designed to appeal to all, but especially those beginning the journey towards self-sufficiency. We were looking for entries that encouraged productive gardening and sound sustainability practices, even in small spaces.
Sarah’s entry stood out with its strong focus on the theme. Her installation integrated clever design with attractive, compact, and efficient productive garden spaces, incorporating significant use of recycled materials and water-wise practices, as well as considering sustenance and habitat for native fauna.
Called Nature’s Pantry, Sarah’s winning garden design drew on a childhood spent growing up on a farm in the south-east Riverina region of NSW, surrounded by an expansive garden, a bountiful veggie patch, and a flourishing home orchard. The garden’s built elements focus on sustainability, extensively utilising reclaimed materials such as timber, plywood boards, pallets, reo mesh, and salvaged pots, all sourced in Sarah’s previous life running a commercial demolition business.
“Nature's Pantry was conceived as a welcoming haven for visitors to enjoy a feast of nature's offerings,” said Sarah. “From pollinator-friendly plants and native grasses to habitats for small creatures and birds, the space is adorned with perennial edibles, fruit trees, herbs, veggies, and bush foods. Adding to the charm, there's a cosy tea garden, inviting visitors to pause and savour the experience of brewing amidst the flourishing abundance.”
“Nature’s Pantry was conceived as a welcoming haven for visitors to enjoy a feast of nature’s offerings.”