I grew up in the Tweed Valley of far north eastern NSW, Australia. From an early age I began gardening and growing plants. I started planting trees on the family farm when I was 8, those first being Bunya Pines which are now coning. At 14 I began planting a rainforest arboretum concentrating on rare species. This rainforest garden now covers some 6 acres and contains over 1500 species of Australian rainforest plant. I have in recent years began a collection of exotic Pandanus of which I have about 30 different ones now.

During the 1990's the enthusiasm for Australian rainforest plants was pushed along by the publication of a number of highly regarded books. I learnt my knowledge on the back of these and through some of the best rainforest botanists.

I have spent nearly half my academic career in the Wet Tropics where I went to JCU, Cairns obtaining my Bachelor of Botany and Rainforest Science. I also worked as a Botanist and had the opportunity of traveling though most of the Wet Tropics. Since starting a family we have moved back to NE NSW where I manage the arboretum and nursery on a mostly full time basis. I also do some consulting work and have a 2500 tree planting of Davidson's Plums which we sell the fruit of. I aim to develop an extensive collection of (non weedy) subtropical and tropical plants that are labeled for visitor practicality and many with collection records for scientific purposes.

thanks.