A TAFE NSW landscape design graduate has won a prestigious scholarship to work with leading industry figures at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show in the United Kingdom.

Sian Thomasson graduated from TAFE NSW last year with a Diploma of Landscape Design and has been announced as a recipient of a Global Footprints Scholarship.

The opportunity to work at the Chelsea Flower Show became available through the global connections of the scholarship convenors. Miss Thomasson will use the money from the scholarship to fund her trip.

While in the UK, Miss Thomasson will work with designers and contractors from different organisations to create a show garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The experience will cover the whole process from start to finish, including working on designs, sourcing plants and materials, and building the display. Ms Thomasson is the only Australian working on the project.

“I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to travel to the UK and France and learn from some of the world’s top designers,” Misss Thomasson said.

“I wouldn’t have this opportunity without TAFE NSW and the practical, hands-on skills my course provided me with.”

“I look forward to using what I learn from the leading global designers at the Chelsea Flower Show to implement new skills and ideas in my job here at home.”

Head Teacher of Landscape Design at TAFE NSW’s Ryde campus, Andrew Hewitt, said TAFE NSW’s Diploma of Landscape Design is helping meet demand for workers in the gardening industry.

“Landscape design is an exciting and dynamic career, and through TAFE NSW we’re providing the practical skills graduates need to secure a job and help meet industry demand,” Mr Hewitt said.

“A Global Footprints Scholarship is a valuable way for our graduates to accelerate their career and further develop industry connections.”

“I congratulate Sian on being awarded this scholarship, and l look forward to following her journey and seeing how she builds upon the education she received at TAFE NSW to further develop in the landscape design industry.”

Miss Thomasson grew up Upper Hunter Valley with a love of nature, animals, and plants. After completing a university science degree in Sydney, Miss Thomasson decided she wanted a more practical career.

“I wanted to work in a hands-on role that had an impact and connected with people. I really wanted to make a tangible difference to people’s lives,” Miss Thomasson said.

“My experience of studying through TAFE NSW was a really valuable one, and through my studies I had the realisation that I had found my niche."

Since finishing her studies at TAFE NSW, Miss Thomasson has joined a landscape design company in Sydney’s south.

“A career in landscape design can empower you to influence positive outcomes that benefit your client, biodiversity, and future generations,” she said.

“I’m excited to be working in the industry that I’ve studied hard to be a part of. I hope to make a difference to people’s lives and work with clients to get the results they want and create gardens that aren’t just beautiful, but provide habitat to animals and boost biodiversity at a local scale.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, rob.virtue@tafensw.edu.au.