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.
What got you into the industry?
Having created 3D objects since childhood, I have always been drawn to design. Eventually I had the opportunity to pursue this as a career, studying Industrial Design and becoming proficient in Furniture and Interior Design within the building industry. The skills and connections that I’ve built over the years have led to some amazing opportunities, including my time here at The Scape Artist.
What excites you the most about working with The Scape Artist
The opportunity to combine two of my greatest passions - design and 3D creativity. Seeing each design come to life - from 2D conceptualisation to beautifully refined finished product is so fulfilling.
What are you best at?
Problem solving is my forte. As a designer there is a significant sense of accomplishment that comes with resolving the trickiest details, and finally seeing the seemingly impossible pieces come together to create something that is aesthetically and practically pleasing.
Who inspires you?
I could be cliché and say Frank Lloyd Wright or Robin Boyd. However, the person who I find most inspiring is my father, who patiently taught me how to design and construct 3D objects from a very young age. He showed me that the sky was the limit, if you take the time to ‘nut it out’.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you cant choose one
I am awestruck by the Bird of Paradise, in all its forms.
What fills your cup outside of work?
Family time, yoga and our wonderful natural environment.
Andrea Haddad - Design Assistant
Relator | Connectedness | Futuristic | Empathy | Command
Having created 3D objects since childhood, I have always been drawn to design. Eventually I had the opportunity to pursue this as a career, studying Industrial Design and becoming proficient in Furniture and Interior Design within the building industry. The skills and connections that I’ve built over the years have led to some amazing opportunities, including my time here at The Scape Artist.
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.
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.
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- Construction Apprentice
Positivity | Developer | Harmony | Achiever | Relator
Jake is about to complete his Apprenticeship in Landscape Construction. His extensive experience in the retail sector developed strong people skills and enhanced his attention to detail. He loves to challenge himself to learn new things.
Chris Dridan- Steel Artisan
What got you into the industry?
I've always wanted to work outside and be active, it made perfect sense for me to work within horticulture.
What excites you the most about Horticulture?
The thing that excites me most is having the ability to help impact a clients homes through knowledge of plants and plant health.
What are you best at?
I feel as though I'm best at hedging and turf maintenance.
Who inspires you?
I would say there's no one person that inspires me. Sporting personalities, people who are dedicated to to there craft and are the best at it inspire me.
What's your favourite plant? Seasonally if you can't choose one
Little Bibi (pollygala)
What fills your cup outside of work?
Sport mainly fills my time outside for work (AFL, Golf, Basketball,NFL) anything social I love.
Rohan Clampit- Garden Maintenance Team
Adaptability | Developer | Empathy | Positivity | Ideation
Rohan is qualified in Parks and Gardens and continues to build his industry experience with The Scape Artist. He loves working with clients to improve their gardens and has a passion for footy and all things sport.