Uni dominates Fleming's Design Competition

Tuesday, 8 April 2003

For the second time in three years, the University of Adelaide has won the coveted Fleming's Student Design Competition at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. This is the largest show of its kind in the southern Hemisphere.

Ms Natalie Fidge, who is currently studying a double degree in Architecture and Commerce, which includes a Bachelor of Design Studies at the University of Adelaide, follows hot on the heels of Tom Richards who grabbed the spoils in 2001.

In 2001, Richards, then a final-year landscape architecture student, won the award for his "Repossession: Revenge of the Landscape".

Ms Fidge was presented with Horticulture's most prestigious award, The Don Fleming Student Award by Victorian Premier Steve Bracks, at the opening breakfast for the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show on Wednesday April 2, 2003.

Ms Fidge was one of four finalists of the Fleming's Student Design Competition, from Australia and New Zealand, who had six months to design, complete with detailed plans and renderings, a Garden for Entertaining. Each of the four finalist's gardens were constructed and displayed at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show last week.

For winning the competition Ms Fidge received the Don Fleming Student Award, a trip for two to The Chelsea Flower Show in London, including airfare, accommodation and $1000 spending money.

After receiving the award, Ms Fidge, thanked Fleming's Nurseries for the unique opportunity and exposure the award gave her. She went on to comment that the Don Fleming Student Award "is incredibly beneficial for her career" with a number of people already interested in her design.

The Fleming's Student Design Award was judged by such notables as Jamie Durie from Patio, Wes Fleming, Director of Fleming's Nurseries, Rob Small, CEO of Colac-Otway Shire, Anthony Van Shaik of Bio Grow, Greg Moore and Alun Chapman, President of Australian Institute of Landscape Architects.

Her design, titled "A Night at the Theatre", focused on the layout of a theatre highlighted by axial aisle entries and planting that leads to a raised stage. The design is a place to entertain and be entertained.

The Fleming's Student Design Competition is open to all students of horticulture and design, and gives students the opportunity to explore new ideas, stimulate issues and push design boundaries. Past winners have gone on to win various National Titles and gained employment opportunities within the industry.

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