Garden and Floristry Wins at MIFGS 2025

Flourishing at the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

Apr 15 2025

Melbourne Polytechnic staff member looking at Alafia Australis garden designed by Morayo Adeyemi

The 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show was one of the most well-attended in two decades, drawing over 115,000 visitors and showcasing some of the finest garden designs, floral artistry and horticultural innovation in the country.

Melbourne Polytechnic was one of the standout exhibitors and our students, staff and alumni achieved remarkable success, earning nine medals across multiple categories.

Melbourne Polytechnic’s strong presence at this year’s show highlighted its commitment to excellence in horticulture. Through skill, creativity and dedication, competitors demonstrated why Melbourne Polytechnic is a leader in horticultural education.

2025 award achievements

Challenger Achievable Gardens Competition

The Challenger Achievable Gardens Competition offers students a hands-on platform to showcase their design skills and work with high-quality plants. Focused on creative yet practical garden solutions, this category saw our students shine with all three of our competitors winning awards.

Gold Medal and Most Creative Use of Space Award

Alafia Australis – Morayo Adeyemi (Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30722).

Meaning "it is well down under," Alafia Australis is a healing garden that connects West African and Australian cultures. It features a blend of ornamental and edible plants native to both regions, creating a space for reflection, wellness and cultural exchange.

A lush garden planted primarily with tropical plants in green and burgundy tones. There is a stone tiled floor and rammed earth walls surrounding a kitchen workspace.

Alafia Australis by Morayo Adeyemi

Silver Medal

Bush Bathing – Katie Fraser (Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421).

This garden is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Surrounded by a coastal native garden with soft sand underfoot, this tranquil garden invites peace and relaxation.

A Coastal native garden with steps, sandy base and black outdoor bathub.

Bush Bathing by Katie Fraser

Silver Medal

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa – Mia Zielinski (Diploma of Horticulture AHC50416).

Be transported to Mexico with this vibrant garden, inspired by designer Mia Zielinski’s travels. Blending native plants from both Mexico and Australia, the garden features a striking mix of drought-tolerant species and colourful seasonal blooms.

A Mexican inspired floral garden with hot pink wall at back.

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa by Mia Zielinski

Boutique Garden Competition

The Boutique Garden Competition offers a unique platform for both emerging and professional Landscape Designers and Architects to showcase their talent. Each 5x5m garden is designed to impress, reflecting modern Australian dream backyards and capturing the attention of visitors and industry leaders alike.

3rd Place (Bronze Medal)

The New Nature – Michael Rochelle, Carla Perry and Alistair Kirkpatrick

A collaboration between Melbourne Polytechnic teacher, Alistair Kirkpatrick and alumni, Michael Rochelle and Carla Perry (both graduates of Certificate IV in Landscape Design AHC42421) led to success in the Boutique Garden Competition. Their eye-catching and innovative concept explores the use of phytoremediation (the use of plants and soil microbes to reduce the toxic effects of contaminants in the environment) within post-industrial landscapes.

Carla, Alistair and Michael sitting on a grey concrete bench in their garden The New Nature. There is grey paving, green plants and a window behind them surrounded by hot pink neon lights. A roof overhead is rusted and there are overgrown plants growing through the ceiling beams.

The New Nature by Michael Rochelle, Carla Perry and Alistair Kirkpatrick

Hanging Baskets Competition

Students and staff made a strong impression in this highly competitive event, with 27 entries in total from Melbourne Polytechnic. Three students from the Certificate III in Horticulture AHC30722 course earned top ten placements.

3rd Place

Down The Rabbit Hole – Andrew Denny

A hanging basket planted with succulent plants and decorated like a rabbit burrow, a sign says 'Down the Rabbit Hole'.

Down The Rabbit Hole by Andrew Denny

4th Place

Australian Textures – Petra Leaford

A hanging basket planted with native Australian species

Australian Textures by Petra Leaford

6th Place

After The Fire – Jenny Benjamin

Hanging basket planted with native plantings and decorated with charred pieces of wood.

After The Fire - Jenny Benjamin

Chrysco Flowers Student Floristry Competition

TAFE students from across Victoria put their floral design skills to the test in the Chrysco Flowers Student Floristry Competitions. Our students entered in both Intermediate and Advanced categories. The competitors embraced the challenge of blending creativity and sustainability while working under strict judging criteria and time constraints.

1st Place - Intermediate Student

Savannah Plate (Certificate III in Floristry Non-Apprenticeship SFL30115).

Savannah Plate standing with her floristry arrangement which is made of a green moss structure and spiralled bouquet in green tones.

Savannah Plate standing next to her award-winning floral arrangement

These outstanding results reflect the depth of skill and creativity of our students, and the high level of professional knowledge taught within our horticulture programs.

Melbourne Polytechnic’s presence at the Show

Beyond competition success for the floral displays and gardens, we played a key role in the event’s educational and industry engagement activities:

Horticulture Careers Hub Staff members shared insights into careers in horticulture, inspiring the next generation.
Floristry Registered Training Organisation's Hub Experts connected with aspiring florists in the Great Hall of Flowers, providing course and career advice.
Industry Placement Certificate II in Floristry SFL20115 (Assistant) students gained hands-on experience working at The Flower Market.

A well-deserved congratulations

A huge congratulations to all students, staff and alumni who contributed to our outstanding achievements at this year’s show. Their dedication and passion continue to make a significant impact on the industry.

A special thank you also goes to the teachers, department staff and student volunteers who worked behind the scenes to support our continued excellence in horticulture.

An award-winning future in Horticulture starts at Melbourne Polytechnic

Our outstanding performance at the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show reaffirms its reputation as a leader in horticultural education.

As the 2024 Large Training Provider of the Year, we offer an inclusive, sustainable and thriving community where students of all abilities and backgrounds can access quality education.

If you are passionate about gardening, landscape design or floristry, we offer hands-on training and industry connections to help you build a rewarding career.

Explore our courses and start your journey today! Learn more about our accredited programs which include Arboriculture, Beekeeping, Floristry, Horticulture, Landscaping, Parks and Gardens and Sports Turf Management.

With an impressive medal haul and a strong presence throughout the 2025 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, our students and staff continue to make a significant impact on the industry. We can't wait for the 2026 show and to see what our talented students and staff do next!