Introducing the Team at The Scape Artist
IN THE OFFICE
What got you into the industry?
My love of being in and around gardens came from my Dad, Paul. He has always had a ‘go with the flow attitude’ to gardens, trying new plants, swapping plants & cuttings with other keen gardeners. It can be a solo or a social hobby, I love that about gardening.
What excites you the most about the three distinct areas in the TSA firm?
Design- Collaboration with a new client and getting to a deeper level with them, finding out what they truly need from a garden, rather than just creating something that ‘looks good’.
Landscape Construction- Working with our dedicated construction team to bring the design to life, this is when our clients and staff can really connect over a common goal & something tangible.
Garden Maintenance- This is the phase of patience and perseverance, where, over time our maintenance team cradle & shape our gardens into places of long-term pleasure.
Each stage, from design collaboration to landscape construction and garden maintenance, offers unique opportunities for meaningful connections and the satisfaction of bringing ideas to life.
What are you best at?
Collaboration and maintaining ’The Big Picture’.
Who inspires you?
Those that just keep swinging, regardless of how many times they get knocked down.
What is your favorite plant?
Currently my ‘grove’ of Ginkgo’s at home.
What fills your cup outside of work?
Paddle boarding, weekends away in the caravan with my family, riding my motorbike, working in my own garden, supporting the Dees and Aussie cricket.
Paddy Milne - Founder / Director
Arranger | Individualisation | Responsibility | Belief | Self Assurance
With nearly two decades of experience in the industry, designing and working in gardens, Paddy's journey began with studies in Horticulture and Landscaping. He worked with landscapers both locally and in Canada before setting up his own firm in 2013. He has also hosted a new design and renovation show for Foxtel and Binge- Selling in the City.
What got you into the industry?
A combined love of art and the environment - when I found out there was a job where you worked with both, I knew it was the career path for me.
What excites you the most about design?
I love the process - it pushes you to draw in components of science and technology with client needs and desires - and then spin it all through a lens of composition and imagination to create a solution.
What are you best at?
Problem solving - seeing a way through the jumble to make the puzzle pieces fit together.
Who inspires you?
People who dedicate themselves to the betterment of 'other' - the David Attenborough's of the world - known and unknown!
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you cant choose one
Sooo many ...Greenhood Orchids - little wonders of winter discovery; Jonquils - the fragrance of childhood and spring; Deciduous Magnolias in all their flowering glory; Ginkgo's - Ancient relics of pre-historic times... to name a few 🙂
What fills your cup outside of work?
Gardening! ...music, family (probably should have put them first!) community volunteering and engagement. Really want to get out hiking more.
Sonia van Dorssen – Senior Designer
Strategic | Relator | Analytical | Ideation | Connectedness
Sonia completed her Landscape Architecture degree at RMIT. She draws from a wide range of industry experience to inform her design work including; TAFE horticulture training, retail nursery work and roles across landscape design, urban design and community facilitation.
What got you into the industry?
Apart from the fact that my fiancé is the director, Paddy's passion for landscaping & design has introduced me to a whole new world. I've been fortunate enough to share this exciting journey with Paddy for nearly 11 years now. What a beautiful world it is to be a part of.
What excites you the most about working with The Scape Artist
The Scape Artist team are a welcoming, approachable, dedicated team. It has a marvellous culture sharing mutual core values. It's always a pleasure to see and speak with the team. The Scape Artist provides many exciting opportunities. Its an exciting team & place to be a part of. Very proud to wear the Green and Blue weekly.
What are you best at?
I'm best at organising someone else & assisting in their workload. Analysing data, the challenge of using numbers to tell a story and convey an idea has always interested me. I love being part of a collaborative environment.
Who inspires you?
I'm surrounded by a lot of people that inspire me daily. Family & friends on a personal & professional level. These people keep me grounded, motivated, grateful, connected & challenge me to challenge myself. Paddy is an inspirational human being. Hardworking & committed to the task at hand & considered an icon in his industry. He truly enjoys his work & has an exhilarating work ethic. Paddy inspires you to work hard, laugh loudly & achieve your dreams. As Paddy would say...a lot.. "Find a job you love, & you'll never work a day in your life".
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you cant choose one
I do Love Lavender, But don't believe I have a favourite. I'll go with season, Spring. Spring is glorious, colourful & cheerful. Flowers emerge from winter hibernation. It's a pleasing transition from Winter. It keeps you excited for the warmer weather, longer days & spending more time outside.
What fills your cup outside of work?
Being creative with our daughter.
Laughing. Music. Live gigs.
Pole dancing.
Enjoying friend's company.
Road trips.
Self-care.
Renae Doolan- Administration Manager
Empathy | Developer | Positivity | Relator | Input
Renae has always worked in customer service/administration related roles. She has a passion for connecting with people and her diverse positions, from employment consultant to bartender, have exposed her to a broad spectrum of personalities and work environments.
ON THE GROUND - CONSTRUCTION
What got you into the industry?
I wanted to do something that would connect people to the environment.
What excites you the most about landscaping?
Transforming a space into something greater than the clients could ever imagine.
What are you best at?
I like to work collaboratively with other tradespeople to achieve a better result than any of us would have done on our own.
Who inspires you?
I love the work of Piet Oudolf whose landscapes aim to bring the feeling of wild environments into urban situations.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you can't choose one
Funnily enough, I think there is nothing more soothing than moss growing amongst rocks.
What fills your cup outside of work?
I'm a mad football fan (the world game version) and can talk for hours about it.
Julian Sunter- Leading Hand Construction
Learner | Futuristic | Ideation | Arranger | Activator
With a background in fine arts, Julian likes to bring a discerning artistic eye to his landscape construction work. Julian is a qualified horticulturalist with over 15 years in the industry, including nearly 6 years as Landscape Team Leader at the historic Narmbool Estate.
What got you into the industry?
A love of the outdoors and wanting to inspire others to spend more time outside through providing beautiful spaces.
What excites you the most about construction?
Working as part of a close knit team , and that no two days are the same.
What are you best at?
Quality control. And boosting site morale ( asking everyone lots of questions).
Who inspires you?
Greta Thunburg. People following their passions.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you cant choose one
Western red cedar. Thuja Plicata. It reminds me of my second home (BC Canada).
What fills your cup outside of work?
Helping out friends and family and spending time with my partner and children.
James Gibb- Leading Hand Construction
Developer | Positivity | Belief | Responsibility | Learner
James has almost 20 years experience, primarily in high end residential properties across Australia and Canada. He has qualifications across Horticulture, Landscape Construction and Landscape Design, and a passion for environmental sustainability and the natural world.
What got you into the industry?
I love watching a job from beginning to end - seeing the massive transformations.
What excites you the most about working with The Scape Artist?
Everyone is very friendly oriented, the way clients are put first to makes their dream gardens come to life.
What are you best at?
My ability to learn very quickly.
Who inspires you?
The Scape Artist - their ability to provide what clients want and produce amazing gardens with every job we do.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you can't choose one
Strobilanthes dyerianus - very beautiful and delicate leaf.
The front garden is the first story a home tells — and this one begins with texture, structure, and a welcoming tone. Designed to soften the strong architectural lines of the home, layered plantings create movement and visual depth. The result is a space that feels both contemporary and timeless, perfectly framing the home behind it.
Hashtags: #GardenDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #CurbAppeal #AustralianGardens #TheScapeArtist #CreateDesignGrow
What fills your cup outside of work?
Playing sport to keep me active, hanging with friends.
Brendan Pym- Construction Team Apprentice
Positivity | Relator | Achiever | Consistency | Harmony
Brendan is a valued member of The Scape Artist’s Construction Team, known for his strong work ethic and enthusiasm for seeing projects through from start to finish. He loves watching a job transform from its beginnings to a finished space, finding real satisfaction in the massive changes that landscaping can bring. Quick to learn and always eager to improve, Brendan thrives in the supportive and client-focused culture at The Scape Artist, where every project is an opportunity to help bring a client’s dream garden to life.
What got you into the industry?
I work in retail for a number of years, and decided I really needed a change. Landscaping appealed to me because I wanted to do more hands on work and learn a wide range of skills.
What excites you the most about landscape construction?
Everyday you get to experience different areas of the industry and use a variety of skills.
What are you best at?
I think my best skill is being able to communicate and listen to clients.
Who inspires you?
My Pop.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you can't choose one
Forest
What fills your cup outside of work?
Outside of work is pretty filled with playing soccer.
Jake Mabbitt- Landscape Construction Apprentice
Positivity | Developer | Harmony | Achiever | Relator
After several years in retail, Jake realised he wanted a career that allowed him to work more hands-on and develop a diverse skill set — leading him to pursue landscaping. As part of The Scape Artist’s Construction Team, he enjoys the variety each day brings and the opportunity to apply different techniques across projects. Jake’s natural communication skills and ability to listen make him a valued team member both on-site and with clients. He brings dedication and humility to everything he does.
Chris Dridan- Steel Artisan
Self Assurance | Learner | Ideation | Intellection | Achiever
Chris thrives on creating custom metalwork and finding solutions to complex construction challenges, bringing his welding expertise to The Scape Artist team. He loves learning new skills, being outdoors, and seeing gardens transform from concept to completion. Inspired by anyone who excels at what they do, Chris approaches every project with creativity and dedication.
ON THE GROUND - MAINTENANCE
What got you into the industry?
Change of lifestyle
What excites you the most about Horticulture?
Fresh lawns and tidying up a messy garden
What are you best at?
Mowing
Who inspires you?
My wife
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you can't choose one
Autumn leaf colour
What fills your cup outside of work?
Family and golf
Gareth Mills- Garden Maintenance Manager
Relator | Arranger | Consistency | Empathy | Deliberative
Gareth chose a career shift after many years in customer service. He completed a Cert III in Horticulture and has honed his maintenance skills to become The Scape Artist Maintenance Manager.
Experienced in / background:
Cert III in Horticulture / dealing with and caring for native and proteaceae plants.
What got you into the industry:
Growing up surrounded by native gardens and bushland and their ability to create a sense of exclusion from the hustle of everyday life.
What excites you most about working with the scape artist:
The Scape Artist provides me with the opportunity to bring my passion for gardening into reality and implement my skills and abilities to help others maintain their gardens to a high standard.
What are you best at:
My ability to listen, learn, and to work methodically and thoroughly.
Who inspires you:
My family.
What's your favourite plant:
Telopea Speciosissima (Waratah) and all things Proteaceae
What fills your cup outside of work:
Gardening at home and for family and propagating rare and native plants.
Zach Jans- Garden Maintenance Team
Learner | Responsibility | Achiever | Relator | Belief
Zach brings energetic charisma and an incredibly focused work ethic to every garden he tends. With a Certificate III in Horticulture and a deep understanding of native and Proteaceae plants, he has a natural connection to the landscapes he cares for.
Growing up surrounded by native gardens and bushland instilled in him a lifelong appreciation for the sense of calm and escape that nature provides. At The Scape Artist, Zach channels his passion for plants into maintaining gardens to the highest standard, combining his attention to detail with a genuine love of learning and growth. Inspired by his family and guided by his strong sense of responsibility and belief, Zach finds joy both in the gardens he nurtures professionally and in propagating rare and native plants at home.