In our Host Employer Spotlight series, we step inside the businesses creating opportunities for CCGT apprentices and trainees. This time, we visit East Coast Wildflowers in Mangrove Mountain, where owner Craig Scott works alongside CCGT trainee Hallum.
There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in the beauty of a flower farm to reset your day, your week, your mind. I recently spent an afternoon at the East Coast Wildflowers farm, and as I trailed through rows of native Australian blooms and bushes, I couldn’t help but quote that famous Aussie movie: how’s the serenity?
Just a 40-minute drive from CCGT’s busy Tuggerah business park office, this pocket of calm is situated in the stunning Mangrove Mountain community. More than 300 varieties of wildflowers grow here, cared for by owner Craig Scott, a fourth-generation flower grower, and his team.
I sat down with Craig to hear about four generations of flower growing, the changing cut flower industry and why bringing new people into horticulture matters for its future.
Four generations of flower growing
“I’m a fourth-generation flower grower. My great-grandfather grew flowers, then my grandfather and my father, and then me,” Craig says.
In 1987, the family moved to Mangrove Mountain to establish the farm that would become East Coast Wildflowers. They came from a traditional flower-growing background, but Craig’s father had developed a particular interest in Australian wildflowers.
“He used to pick gum nuts and wattle and different things from around his property and sell them in the market,” Craig says. “He was quite innovative in doing that.”
That interest eventually made its way onto the farm, where the family began planting and experimenting with Australian natives.
“When you grow a wildflower, a lot of times you’re growing something that nobody else has grown before, particularly in the flower industry,” Craig says. “You can be quite innovative and try all different things.”
A changing cut flower industry
Much has changed in the flower industry since the Scott family arrived in Mangrove Mountain in 1987.
“Flower growing is at a time now where there are a lot of imported flowers coming into the country,” he says. “So to produce locally grown flowers is more important now than ever.”
Craig is particularly passionate about Australian natives.
“They’re Australia’s own flowers, and we’re very fortunate to have this wonderful range of flowers available to us.”
And Craig would like to see more people growing them.
“We need people to look to getting into the industry of growing cut flowers and more people producing cut flowers on their own properties.”
From Mangrove Mountain to Sydney Markets
From their beginnings in Mangrove Mountain, the cut flowers make their way to market to become a special part of people’s lives.
“We work with florists who present flowers to the general public, whether it’s for births, funerals, birthdays or weddings,” he says.
“Flowers are a very important part of our life. You might not consider it, but a bunch of flowers on a table really changes the environment in a room. It brings a freshness and a different feel.”
“I really enjoy the interaction with the florists down at Sydney Markets because those relationships have been built up over many years,” he says.
Learning, and passing it on
Growing up around flowers gave Craig plenty of knowledge, but his education didn’t stop with his family.
“I learned a lot from my parents, but I also went to TAFE to do horticulture,” he says. “You need to learn from other people, not just from your own knowledge or from family.”
He still learns from other growers too. Just before our visit, East Coast Wildflowers hosted a conference where growers came together to share their knowledge.
“Life’s always about learning. You always learn from one another.”
Now, some of that knowledge is being passed on to CCGT trainee Hallum, who is learning the industry alongside Craig and the East Coast Wildflowers team.
“I love having trainees come into our business because they bring a new excitement,” Craig says. “There’s the excitement of learning new skills, but also learning new theory. They bring new technologies, and their passion and their joy of what we’re doing is helpful for us as well.”
Over in the greenhouse, I asked Hallum to show me one of his favourite flowers. He took me to the Kangaroo Paw ‘Bush Fury’, a stunning deep red with that uniquely wild shape and velvety texture.
“It was the first one given to my care every morning to pick,” Hallum says. “It’s sort of my practice one, so I’ve been able to come in every morning and get familiar with them since I started.”
For Craig, seeing trainees become confident enough to do the work themselves is particularly rewarding.
“It’s lovely to see a trainee gain knowledge and learn how to do the jobs,” he says. “It’s really exciting to see that journey that they’ve gone on.”
“We’re always looking for people who are keen and interested.”
Supporting the next generation
CCGT has supported three trainees at East Coast Wildflowers, helping with recruitment, training and support along the way.
“They’ve helped select the new employees to come and work with us,” Craig says. “Then they’ve worked alongside those employees, making sure they’re on track with their training and providing general support. Having a third party involved in the management of the trainees has been great.”
So, after decades in the flower industry, what keeps Craig enjoying the work?
“We’ve got a lovely business here that’s been going for generations,” he says. “I really enjoy the atmosphere with the people who work here. People who come and work here tend to enjoy working here, which is such a lovely thing.”
WATCH: EAST COAST WILDFLOWERS
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Written by Chanel Gellin, Marketing Coordinator & Business Support, CCGT.
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CCGT’s Host Employer Spotlight series features the local businesses we partner with. We support a diverse range of industries here on the Central Coast, but they all have one thing in common. A commitment to providing a supportive, hands-on learning environment for our apprentices and trainees.
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