Archive for 2012
Last Saturday Good Manors celebrated its 25th anniversary in style. The Good Manors team transformed the Cellblock Theatre at The National Art School in Darlinghurst into a striking green oasis.
Guests approached the gathering through a tree lined entrance (courtesy of Alpine Nurseries)where they were welcomed into the courtyard with log burning fires, the smell of Gluhwein and sounds of Spanish guitar music. A feeling of coziness was instantly present. Among the 220 guests were friends, current and former employees, clients, colleagues, suppliers and other valued partners.
When all of the guests had arrived, Master of Ceremonies Robbie McGregor (actor and voice over artist for SBS) announced the entrance to the Cellblock. Here party-goers were welcomed by an impressive ‘upside-down’ garden of wattle foliage hanging from the soaring ceilings of the venue. Altered terracotta pots made tables and generous strips turf on either side of the timber-palette seating completed the setting.
Robbie McGregor put Good Manors founders in the spotlight – testing skills refined over their 25 years with Ron Berkelmans asked to plant a buxus and Raoul van de Laak required to sell the crowd a Good Manors pool and garden on the spot. The party kicked on with DJ John Ferris keeping the crowd dancing through to the early hours.
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Good Manors is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. The company was established by two Dutchies fresh off the boat – Raoul van de Laak and David Buurma, both seeking a new adventure in Australia.
With a few years of experience in landscaping on their home turf and abroad, and an idea to challenge the existing Australian garden aesthetic – they started work at Sherringhams Nursery, owned by entrepreneur Laurie McDonald. Many gardens of the time included an isolated area bounded by a paling fence, with an expanse of lawn, a clothesline and a large brick BBQ as its centrepiece . Raoul and David saw an opportunity to change the typical Australian backyard into an entertainment area that could function as an extension of people’s homes and make the most of the Sydney weather they had crossed the globe for.
McDonald recognised this opportunity and took both Raoul and David on by sponsorship and allowed them to set up a new department under his guide called ‘Good Manors’. Good Manors aimed to set a new standard for residential gardens by connecting the inside with the outside. Landscaping to them was about detailed design applying tried and true European techniques. They brought elements of the house into the garden, opened up the back of the house and built pergolas to create open and inviting gardens. With these opportunities and innovative designs they quickly realised the need for the right person to build these projects. This is where fellow Dutchman Ron Berkelmans then joined the team.
Within two years Good Manors was truly established and when Sherringhams later closed their doors, Good Manors continued to thrive under the guide of the three Dutchies. The business won several awards in its first couple of years and this recognition accelerated Good Manors’ further growth. Over a period of ten years the projects expanded from landscape design and maintenance to the renovation of pools and later on, full design and in-house construction of pools. The maintenance department has grown within the company and serves nearly 400 gardens in Greater Sydney. Good Manors has always been directed by quality, craftsmanship and service.
Twenty five years on, Good Manors has 40 employees, many have been with the company for most of the 25 years, resulting in an enormous amount of skill and expertise. Celebrating our 25th Anniversary is as much about the great people that have worked with the company over the years as it is about Good Manors’ founders. It is the collective vision and passion of the team that have made Good Manors what it is today.
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The GOODMANORS maintenance department is currently seeking 1st, 2nd or 3rd year Apprentices of TAFE ‘Horticulture Certificate III, Parks and Gardens’ to join our garden maintenance teams.
Role:
This is a full time ‘on the job training’ position assisting our garden maintenance teams within the greater Sydney area.
Skills:
- Team player showing initiative
- Excellent communication skills
- Fast learner
Apply: Please email resume to jacques@goodmanors.com.au
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