5 October 2010

PRESS RELEASE

NZ Young Landscaper of the Year

Paul Southan, 23, achieved the Ellerslie International Flower Show NZ Young Landscaper of the Year at the Landscaping New Zealand (LNZ) awards dinner held at Larnach Castle in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Paul previously attended Mt Albert Grammar and then studied at UNITEC, undertaking his Diploma in Landscape Design. When he was 18, Paul and three of his UNITEC classmates entered the 2006 Ellerslie Flower Show (when it was held at the Botanical Gardens in Manukau) and as youngest ever entrants, the team won People’s choice award as well as a bronze plaque.

Just 4 years after the Ellerslie competition, Paul felt he had gained sufficient industry experience to enter the Young Landscaper competition, which involved a day being assessed on practical landscaping tasks, written tests, plant identification, and costings. The day finished with each of the young contestants giving a speech to the LNZ conference attendees at the Dunedin Chinese Gardens.

“It was a tough day with some very good competition and competitors” says Paul after receiving his award, which included a trophy and cheque from LNZ. Paul now gets to attend the 2011 ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ competition to be held in November next year which includes 8 other winners from the horticulture industry.

Although landscape design was not part of the judging for this Landscape Award, Paul’s current role involves landscaping design and build, mostly in the domestic market. Paul might be heading back to the books for a bit of study before the Horticulture event, but will endeavour to maintain his winning form.
ends

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