Since my Churchill Fellowship all those years ago, I have continued with my career in horticulture. Although I am not involved with walnuts now, I still look out for the trees’ distinctive shape and reminisce about my first overseas travel experience and the wonderful opportunity it was. I am currently living in Victoria but have been back to the Tasmanian East Coast to see the walnut groves that I was involved in planting twenty-odd years ago. The walnut industry has developed: Websters have significant plantings in Griffith as well as Tasmania now.
My recent positions have been in ornamental horticulture, working with production nurseries which ultimately provide product for the retail market. I am currently Managing Director of Ball Australia, the Australian subsidiary of the Ball Horticultural Company, based in Chicago. This international company has 17 different sites throughout the world and is one of the leaders in ornamental plant breeding and production. It is a great company to work for.
My current role offers the opportunity to do further travel, much to the delight of my wife, Karen, and my 17-year-old daughter, Georgia. Georgia has seen so much more of the world in her short life than I would have dreamed of. Travelling together, although admittedly stressful at times, is something I really look forward to; it is my chance to develop my relationship with my family. It is about experiencing something special together.
In my spare time I enjoy being involved in my daughter’s netball. I spend time bike riding and walking, not only for the physical exercise but also for the social side. Holidays and travel are an important part of our family life. Fishing is one of my favourite pastimes and I particularly enjoyed trout fishing – although I have succumbed to frustration, and wouldn’t even contemplate picking up a fly rod these days.
The opportunity that my Churchill Fellowship gave me extended to many areas. It was a pivotal learning experience in my life, which took me out of my comfort zone at the time. Looking back, it wasn’t just about gathering information on my chosen subject, walnuts; it was all those other things that have helped me in my career and given me such valuable lessons.
Excerpt from “Bringing Knowledge Home” published by the Churchill Fellows Association of Tasmania (2016)
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