The prestigious HMAA Laurels Awards started as a conference conclusion dinner event in 2000. It was designed, as it is today, to recognise excellence for the top communicators in horticulture.
But the story really begins when the South Australian, Victorian and NSW HMA branches agreed to each take responsibility for some aspect of being a national organisation. Victoria managed communications between branches and published the quarterly HMA News; NSW opted to work on maintaining strong industry links, and SA took on ‘events’.
It didn’t take long for the SA team to suggest a national awards program and formed a working party that included Michael Keelan (chair), Trevor Nottle, Chris Steele Scott, Dianne Hall (NGISA), Merilyn Kuchel and Jan Beare.
“Between us we came up with the event name, The HMA Laurels,” Trevor says. “We then set about defining the categories and rules for entry. Once it was approved by the national committee the SA group went into overdrive to ensure a high quality event.”
Over the years the awards have grown and in 2014 new categories were added to accommodate the ever-changing media landscape. But what hasn’t altered is the prestige of winning a HMAA Laurel.
In 2016, the Laurels were overhauled with a change of “management” from South Australia to Victoria on the retirement of the indefatigable June Taylor. The number of categories was reduced to eight, to reflect the various crafts that members work in professionally as authors, writers, photographers, social media commentators, editors, webmasters, presenters, producers and researchers.
Changes continued with a reduction in categories to four, which was introduced with the 2022 Laurels. Entries were streamlined to allow fully online entries and to reduce the burden on judges. These Laurels were presented at an event held in association with the Nambour Garden Show.
In 2024, the Laurels returned to Melbourne and were held in conjunction with the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show. Four categories of awards were presented in addition to the two Honour Laurels. Financial membersfor a defined period were able to enter their work to be considered for a Laurel.
In 2026 the Laurels will go back to where it all began: Adelaide. The Laurels awards night will be held on the evening of September 3 at the prestigious venue of The Pavilion in the grounds of historically and horticulturally significant Carrick Hill. Neutrog has agreed to be the naming rights sponsor supporting this event
The 2026 Laurels will be held in conjunction with a next day tour of the Neutrog production plant and some of Adelaide’s premier gardens. Taking part in the Laurels event will also offer an opportunity to attend the cocktail party celebrating the opening of the Royal Adelaide Show and will offer entry to the first day of the show.