Meet the 2024 Judges

Jude Bates

Judy’s entire working life has been in the horticulture field, with her initial industry background in amenity horticulture. Since that time, Judy has embraced the Landscape Construction Industry and has for 40 years been developing and delivering educational programs in horticulture, irrigation and landscape construction. Judy is currently  TLA Board Member and the Chair of the Awards Judging Panel.

Jim Fogarty

Jim Fogarty is an AILA registered Landscape Architect based in Melbourne. His design experience includes exhibiting internationally at some of the most famous garden shows accruing over thirty design awards including sixteen gold medals. Jim has been a garden design writer for various publications in Australia, a show garden judge, and is the past National President of the Horticultural Media Association Australia.

Jonathan Garner

Jonathan Garner provides the services of horticultural consulting, onsite training, workshops industry mentoring, estate management and specialised technical services to landscape contractors, designers and garden owners.

Matthew Tancred

Matthew is principal consultant at Open Space Projects. With over 40yrs of experience, he knows what it takes to deliver successful projects. Matthew has a reputation as a deeply passionate advocate for open spaces and with decades of structural landscaping experience, there isn’t much he hasn’t done.  Matthew combines his extensive experience with genuine enthusiasm for the industry and its people to strive for the best possible outcomes.

Dianne Werden

Dianne is a highly experienced educational leader with TAFE NSW. Her 35 year career encompasses tertiary research, university teaching and a range of roles in within the vocational education sector. Dianne is a current TLA Board Member.

Daniel Chamoun

Daniel Chamoun is the Director of Glazed Co, and has been servicing the Pool and Landscaping industry since 2012 with glass and aluminum pool fencing options. A licensed Builder, Glazier & Carpenter by trade, his career started in the Glass industry in 2005 and evolved into Daniel obtaining his Builders license in 2018, building countless luxury homes throughout Sydney.

Ken Bevan

Ken Bevan has over 25 years experience in the horticulture industry. He was the General Manager of Alpine Nurseries for a number of years. Ken held a position on the Nursery Strategic Industry Advisory Panel, responsible for directing the investment of nursery levy funds which gave rise to key projects such as, the 202020 Vision and Plant Life Balance and was a member of various other industry steering committees.

Claudia Crawley

Claudia is a residential landscape designer and Co-founder of Grindstone Landscapes based in Sydney with a passion for contemporary garden design suited to individual client needs and focusing on the beauty of simplicity and balance of hard and soft architectural elements. Claudia has a Diploma in landscape design and currently holds a position as sponsorship Director on the board of the Landscape Design Institute.

David Freston

David has over 20 years’ experience in the landscape industry, across a range of industrial & commercial sites he has delivered projects for both large builders and developers. David has also previously run several large maintenance contracts including the City of Sydney. David has also worked in the UK on many high profile projects like the Eurostar and Heathrow Terminal 5. He also  worked on a garden at Chelsea Flower Show.

Michael Platt

Michael is a registered Landscape Architect with more than 25 years of experience working as a commercial landscape contractor on major public domain, infrastructure, and theme park projects.
Michael is a past board member of the TLA including two years as president and works as a contract project manager and consulting expert witness in disputes associated with landscape construction projects.

Ron Berkelmans

Ron Berkelmans, a landscape expert and co-founder of Good Manors Pool + Garden, has driven the company’s success for 33 years. With a foundation in family business in the Netherlands and diverse qualifications, his leadership spans design, construction, horticulture, floristry, and more. Ron’s role encompasses all aspects of Good Manors, offering extensive business management expertise. He’s a committed Board Member and Treasurer at TLA, reciprocating the support he received, embodying growth and collaboration.

Greg Soster

Greg Soster, a 25+ year industry veteran with formal qualifications in landscaping, building, carpentry, and pool construction. He creates innovative designs for homes and businesses, tailored to client preferences and outdoor spaces. Passionate about mentoring and community engagement. Owner of Outside Space for 15+ years, specialising in creative outdoor designs. Sought after by architects, crafting unique spaces. Strong in project management, regulations, and community involvement.

Don Kirkegard

Don has over 20 years’ experience in construction management and has been involved in the project management and contract administration for an extensive variety of projects for both the public and private sectors. This diverse range of projects includes creekline rehabilitation, fresh & saltwater wetlands, fauna habitat rehabilitation, large scale public playgrounds, public parks, sportsfields & streetscapes.

Don has managed many multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of high quality public spaces, some of which include; Parramatta North Precinct – Heritage Core, various stages at Bungarribee including leading the design and delivery of the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy Fields as well as managing the delivery of the Glebe 4 (Glebe Foreshore Walk, Harold Park, The Crescent & Jubilee Park) at Johnston’s Creek Parklands.

Andrew Ewington

Andrew is a highly experienced Registered Landscape Architect with over 35 years in both landscape architecture and construction. Andrew specialises in design development, documentation, technical direction and construction phase services of large scale integrated urban design projects. His leadership ensures that the project’s design vision is preserved throughout construction and into its ongoing management. Alongside his commitment to creating well-constructed, high quality and enduring landscapes, Andrew is particularly passionate with the intricacies of detail design and the finishing touches of his projects.

Matthew Bourke

Matt joined Glascott Landscape and Civil over 35 years ago, he has grown with and help grow Glascotts to the business it is today working across several roles. During his time Matt has been involved with many of the signature projects Glascotts has built both on the ground and in management positions. He is passionate about the Landscape industry and delivering high quality outcomes for Glascotts clients.

Angela Maroney

Angela brings her landscape architecture, construction and educator experience over 35 years, to mentor and coach industry professionals in landscape design, horticulture and construction at Your Landscape Journey.

This gives them the knowledge and skills to uplift their businesses, practice within industry standards and be valued by their clients, while creating more profit.

Angelas reputation of both practical and theoretical knowledge in the industry gives the edge to businesses to flourish and grow.

Angelas skills come from being a past structural landscaper, current designer, consulting arborist and dispute resolution practitioner, to bring all these areas to the  landscape businesses she mentors.

Colin Dagger

Colin is a Landscape Designer & Landscape Architect. He is co-owner of 3DL Landscape Consultants, Sydney. Colin was elected to the Board in 2021. Colin has a passion for roof top garden and design and implementing civic spaces for the community. At LDI Colin curates Landscape Outlook Magazine for the association working closely with sponsors and marketing directors.

Carl Small

Carl Small is a registered Landscape Architect, the General Manager at Co-Ordinated Landscapes, and a Director at Calmsley Hill City Farm

Michael Blasch

Michael Blasch is a Horticulture Teacher at Canberra Institute of Technology

Michael Ball

Michael Ball is a Business Manager at Landscape Solutions

Anthony Jenkins

Anthony Jenkins is a teacher at TAFE NSW

Ian Furness

Ian Furness is the Director of Furnass Landscaping Enterprises

Leigh Kleinig

Leigh Kleinig is a teacher at Canberra Institute of Technology