Photo by: Adam Woodhams
We were saddened to hear of the death of Rudi Fabian in the UK in late November 2017. Rudi, a Life Member of HMA NSW, was a major contributor to HMA NSW, HMAA and to the nursery industry.
Rudi grew up on what was then the outskirts of northern Sydney and first embarked on a career in banking, including stints as a purser on cruise ships. He studied at Ryde School of Horticulture from 1976-80 and was co-owner of Erina Gardenworld from 1984-1994. He served as a director for Greengold Nurseries Group, as a director and vice president of NGINA and eventually as national president of NGIA. In 2000 he took up the role of NGINA Garden Centre Development Officer where he helped set up the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.
In the early 1990s Rudi became the NSW presenter for the new Gardening Australia television show. He was enthusiastically involved with HMA from its inception and was a member of the first HMA NSW committee, eventually serving as president of HMA NSW for a number of years. He also became secretary of the national HMAA committee.
In 2006, for personal reasons, Rudi moved to the UK where he continued to practise his gardening skills by caring for some historic properties.
Rudi has suffered from declining health for much of this year. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, including those in the horticultural industry to which he gave so much.
Judy Horton
Secretary HMA NSW
