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With the much-anticipated 2026 Neutrog HMAA Laurels coming up on September 3 in Adelaide, we are asking previous award winners what winning the award meant to them. Here Trevor Nottle from South Australia explains what receiving a Gold Laurel meant to him.
I began my path as a writer specialising in subjects horticultural and about gardening in 1978 with a ream of blank quarto and a biro. Later I progressed to a portable typewriter, and later still to one of the early desktop computers. Now I use a laptop.
All along I have lived the solitary existence that all kinds of writers do. There has been no other way to get the task finished. I very soon learned that I had to sit at my desk until the work was done. Be it for a few hours or a few moths there is only one way to be a writer and that is to write until you have said what you wanted to say or fulfilled your editor’s word limit.
By 2022, when my work was recognised by the award of a Gold Laurel I had written alone in my study and produced some 25 books. Just how many and what gets counted is a function of the publishing industry that I do not bother about much. I still have other writing I want to do so I do not waste time counting.
Like many other writers I accustomed myself to the demands of publishers and publicists to make appearances, do signings and give talks. Coming out of my solitary world proved a challenge. I needed to develop a new skill set and was very appreciative of the advice and support of colleagues and friends in the horticultural media. The network provided by professionals in the field saw me spread my wings and travel; first locally, then interstate and lastly internationally.
The world was my oyster as I devoured invitations to speak at events far and wide. The encouragement I received from industry leaders enabled me to flourish and grow through repeat engagements to lecture, consult and learn about the garden culture in other countries; places I probably would never have otherwise gone to – Argentina, Uruguay, Greece, Spain, Italy, France, the UK, New Zealand and across the US to California, Washington DC, Maryland, Georgia, Ohio and the Carolinas.
Since being awarded a Gold Laurel, I have enjoyed the opportunities presented to meet many other members and expand my contact with younger people coming into the industry. My focus is strongly on encouraging this group to travel, experience and learn as much as possible to build their own career in horticulture using my own pathway as an example of moving beyond familiar day-to-day activities and exploring the possibilities of new situations.
Our industry, the horticultural media industry is changing and growing. It is fortunate that scholarships, travel grants, study tours, exchange programs and volunteer schemes are available internationally now. Applying is just a matter of individuals stretching themselves and their imaginations.
To find out who are the winners at this year’s event, click here to book you spot at the dinner.
