A down-to-earth Clinton 'Wombat' Price is comfortable to be considered “just another student” among his classmates despite starring in The Block. Though early on there were the initial ‘I recognise you from somewhere’ moments.

“After the show, it took some time for my life to go back to normal. I decided I would focus on working environmentally and locally,” says Wombat.

Growing and learning

“I’m learning a lot,” says Wombat. “And it’s very practical – the sort of thing you can put to use straight away. I’m also discovering all the things I’ve been doing wrong in my own garden.

“I’ve started growing my own food, so I have plenty of opportunities to put what I learn into action. One of the practical things I’ve learned is to make sure to choose the right plant for the soil and conditions.”

Wombat said that he has observed a growing hunger amongst the community for information about living more sustainably.

“In my experience, people are seeking ways to live more sustainably across a variety of areas. My idea on The Block was to try and show eco-friendly ways to build a house and garden, which was hard to do in that format. Now, when people ask me to give a talk, I angle it toward sustainable and eco-friendly practices.

“One simple piece of advice I give people is to think about what it took to make the thing you’re about to buy or use and where it will end up when you’re finished with it.”

Careers in Horticulture

If you are passionate about the environment and sustainable practices, take a course to a Horticulture career. Horticulture is a booming sector that plays a crucial role economically, socially and environmentally.

Careers areas that TAFE NSW courses can qualify you for include:

• Arborist and tree surgery
• Horticulture
• Landscaping
• Nursery
• Sports turf management
• Wine industry

Explore Horticulture courses