Graham Ross: A national treasure
Graham Ross started gardening at the age of four and has never stopped. And from humble beginnings, as a teenager he started working at his local garden centre, he has climbed the ranks to national treasure.
On Australia Day 2021 he received a Member of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours for;
“significant service to the broadcast media, particularly to horticulture, and to the community.”
It’s one of many awards he’s racked up in a media career that spans more than 50 years.
In 2011 he was presented with London's Royal Horticultural Society's Veitch Memorial Medal (VMM) in recognition of his contribution to gardening and horticulture in Australia. The VMM is an international award issued annually by London's Royal Horticultural Society. Ross is only the fourth Australian to receive the VMM since its inception in 1870.
He also picked up a Gold Laurel - Hall of Fame Award from the Horticultural Media Association in the same year.
In 2014 he won the Australian Institute of Horticulture's Golden Wattle Award for the advancement of the profession of horticulture in Australia through 'sustained exemplary conduct as a professional horticulturist'.
And he is the only Australian to have been appointed a Life Fellow of the prestigious Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Guild, London.
Most importantly he’s educated, entertained and inspired generations of Australian’s to enjoy the benefits of gardening. No matter what the forum and who the audience; Graham wears a broad smile, his trusty RM boots and serves up the same dependable advice.
He has loved attending the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show through the years and since his first taste has never missed a show.
Last year Graham was awarded with an honorary membership to the Nursery & Garden Industry Victoria. He has been a long-time supporter and advocate of the NGIV and whenever called upon has jumped at the opportunity to promote gardening to our MP’s.
Congratulations to Graham, a true inspiration to so many.