Four
interiorscape industry icons were inducted into the
Australian Interiorscape Hall of Fame on 6th
October 2005 at the industry’s bi-annual Conference dinner.
These inaugural inductees reflect what is best within our
industry.
MAX
BROUGH (Victoria) was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his
contribution to the nursery and plantscaping industry since
the mid 1960’s. Max Brough was a partner in Brough Petersen
Nurseries concentrating on the plantscaping industry and was
a founding member of VIPA in 1984. In fact the inaugural
VIPA meeting was held at his nursery as were many of the
meetings throughout the 1980’s. Max has been an active and
influential member with VIPA and, today, in his 80’s, Max is
still respected by those within the industry who know him.
NORMAN
JOHNSON (Queensland) was inducted into the Hall of Fame for
his involvement in the Australian interior plantscape
industry since he joined Sykes International (nee Rentokil)
as the Nursery Manager more than two decades ago. Norman
has had a significant influence on the plant hire industry
nationally through his vision and devotion to innovation and
his unswerving support for industry projects and events.
His name has been linked with every major interior
plantscape industry event in Australia in the last two
decades. For the past 21 years, Norman Johnson through The
Container Connection has led by example within industry
always putting back into the industry to develop a stronger
and more progressive unified sector of Australian commerce.
MARIEKE
VAN DIJK (Victoria) was inducted into the Hall of Fame for
her contribution as one of the founding members of VIPA in
1984 and for working at the helm of one of Australia’s
largest plantscaping companies between 1963 and 1987.
Marieke introduced the wick watering system, amongst other
innovations, into Australia from Holland after travelling to
research international innovations in plantscaping.
Marieke’s approach to interior plantscaping involved
personal research and development in an era when there were
no industry conferences or published research available.
Marieke is one of the pioneers of the Australian
Plantscaping industry.
MARGARET BURCHETT (New South Wales) was inducted into the
Hall of Fame in recognition of more than 40 years dedication
to academic teaching and research in the Australian interior
plantscape industry. Margaret is now an Adjunct Professor
and Doctor of the Faculty of Science, University of
Technology, Sydney and a Chief Investigator in the Plants
for Environmental Quality Group, researching the use of
indoor plants to reduce air pollution and improve
environmental quality for building occupants. Over the last
few years, Margaret has spoken at many international
forums. She has openly shared her research findings with
the wider industry allowing the whole of the Australian
interior plantscaping industry to benefit from her work.
