Yarra View Nursery is one of Australia’s largest social enterprise nurseries. Commencing in 1980 from humble beginnings producing fuchsias from a small site in Ferntree Gully, YVN now produces over 1 million plants per year on its 12 acre site in Mount Evelyn and employs over 100 staff, many of whom are people living with an intellectual disability.
YVN’s range includes Australian natives, ferns, camellias, fuchsias and bonsai and supplying many major retailers, independent nurseries, commercial landscapers and councils in Victoria, southern NSW, South Australia and Tasmania.
YVN has a unique difference in that while producing quality products in a commercial environment it provides critical employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities.
YVN’s retail arm, The Home of Garden Lovers, is also located on site, offering a full range of garden products, giftware and, of course, the full range of YVN grown plants.
A tour of the nursery will commence at 8am.
Breakfast will commence at 9.30am at York on Lilydale. York on Lilydale is located on the corner of York and Swansea Rd, Mount Evelyn.
Presenters include:
Kristian Dauncey
CEO Knoxbrooke
Kristian joined Knoxbrooke in January 2016. Kristian brings extensive community services expertise having worked within the sector since 2003. Prior to this, Kristian worked within a commercial environment both within Australia and overseas.
Kristian is passionate about ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities and privileges as all others.
Scott Buckland
General Manager Knoxbrooke Enterprises including YVN
Scott joined Knoxbrooke in March 2016 as General Manager of Knoxbrooke Enterprises which includes Yarra View Nursery, Knoxbrooke Outsource, YVN Horticulture Services and Home of Garden Lovers Retail nursery. Scott has over 20 years commercial management experience gained across various industries including Horticulture, Apparel, Printing and Construction.
Shaun Leane MP
Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region
Parliamentary Secretary to the Special Minister of State
Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure
Shaun was elected to the Victorian Parliament as the Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region in the November 2006 Election and has been re-elected in 2010 and for a third term in November 2014.
An electrician by trade, Shaun has worked for a variety of organisations in this capacity and later with the Electrical Trades Union. As well as his electrical qualifications Shaun holds a Diploma of Community Services and has a keen interest in the education and retention of apprentices.
Born in Oakleigh, Shaun was only young when his father, a bricklayer who fought in New Guinea in WWII, passed away leaving his mother, a nurse, to work night shift to raise their family of eight children.
Whilst working as a tradesman Shaun has been through periods of unemployment due to the nature of the industry. He understands the challenges of supporting a family in that situation and is now working hard to stand up for working families.
Shaun will serve in the Andrews Government as Parliamentary Secretary to the Special Minister of State and Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure.