Phil Bowyer-Smyth
Phil Bowyer-Smyth
Coordinator, Gardens North
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Having completed his apprenticeship at the Royal Botanic Gardens between 1989 and 1993, Phil’s career came full circle in 2006 when he accepted the role of Horticultural Technician at the Royal Botanic Gardens. Prior to this, Phil spent 10 years as Head Gardener at Lindsay Fox’s Toorak home and two years as Head Gardener at Lauriston Girls’ School.
Between 2006 and June 2010, Phil’s role as a Horticultural Technician saw him tending the Camellias and Southern African Collections, maintaining The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, and installing irrigation systems at Guilfoyle’s Volcano and the Rare and Threatened Collection.
In June 2010, Phil stepped up to the role of Acting Coordinator Gardens North. In this role he manages a team of nine Horticulturists who maintain the northern half of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, which includes the Ornamental Lake and Long Island.
Sandra Hodge
Sandra Hodge
Curator, Long Island
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Sandra has been a key member of the Horticulture team at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne for the past 11 years.
In her role as Horticultural Technician from 1999 to 2002, Sandra tended the Perennial Border collection outside Gardens House. In 2002, Sandra became Curator of Long Island, where she looks after a unique collection of native and indigenous plants.
Warren Worboys
Warren Worboys
Curator, Horticulture
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
A 40-year veteran of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Warren began his career at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne in 1971 as an Apprentice Horticulturist. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1975, Warren took a position as a Student Horticulturist at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, where he stayed for the next three years.
In 1978, Warren returned to Australia and the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne as Assistant Nursery Manager and was promoted to Nursery Manager (1980 – 1987). This was followed by a stint as Curator, Government House Grounds, during 1988. In late 1988, Warren made the move to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, where he held the position of Horticulturist Level 2A for the next ten years. From 1998 to 2006, Warren worked as the Horticultural Development Officer before being offered the role of Curator, Horticulture, in 2006.
In his current role as Curator, Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Warren is overseeing the construction contractors in their day to day building of Stage 2 of the Australian Garden. He also provides advice about cultivated and indigenous plant to other staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens and to the general public.
