Q&A with Deborah Geary, Senior Horticulturist at Woollahra Municipal Council.
Introducing Deborah Geary, Senior Horticulturist at Woollahra Municipal Council. In this Q&A blog, Deborah shares her inspiring journey into horticulture, her passion for creating beautiful public spaces, and the joy she finds in working outdoors. From navigating the early challenges of being a female in the industry to now leading a dedicated team, Deborah’s experience showcases the journey to achieving professional growth and leadership. Read on to discover why Deborah believes she has “the best job in the world” and what she loves most about her work.
Q: Could you provide some background on your career in horticulture and the path that led you to your current role?
A: I’ve always loved horticulture. My uncle and my grandmother used to do horticulture for a living, and they had a nursery. So, I’ve been around plants ever since I was young. Unfortunately, when I started out, women didn’t really get into the industry. Most businesses wouldn’t take on women as apprentices.
So, I did other things like graphic design and worked as a photographic printer, but I still worked with plants on the side. Eventually, I started working at a school maintaining the grounds, gardens, and sporting fields. After that, I became a farmhand at the school, which was great as I looked after horticulture, different crops, and animals like sheep, chickens, ducks, and cows.
And finally, once my children were older, I studied horticulture at TAFE, kept learning, and took opportunities as they came. I spent a few years at North Sydney Council and I’ve been at Woollahra since April 2018.
Q: Are you able to explain what your role entails, including your main responsibilities?
A: I’m responsible for keeping the garden and park areas in Woollahra current, interesting, and well-maintained. I oversee plant health and well-being and take the initiative to make improvements when needed. I manage a team of four people and work on high-profile areas, focusing on upgrading gardens and keeping them presentable.
Q: Could you provide an example of a significant project or high-profile garden you have worked on and describe the process involved?
A: A good example is Gugara Park in Paddington (previously known as Dillon St Reserve), which underwent a big upgrade. We stripped out the entire park and did an analysis of the area’s use, climate, and soil to select suitable plants, especially for areas with children. We planted nearly 7,000 plants there.
Q: What does a typical day look like in your role?
We have a schedule for maintaining various sites, including those we’ve upgraded. A day could involve checking on sites, cleaning up rubbish, watering, pruning, or planting. For example, this morning we laid out and planted a garden that we stripped over the last two days. We started early to avoid the heat and finished with mulching.
Q: You mentioned that there were few women in the industry when you began your career. Have you seen an increase in female participation over the years?
A: Absolutely, there are more women now, and it’s great to see! When I first started, there was a negative attitude towards women’s abilities, and we had to work harder to prove ourselves. Women bring a unique perspective and nurturing touch to the work. My current team is all female, not by design but by chance. We do the same hard work as men, and while we may not be as physically strong, we find smarter ways to achieve the same results.
Q: What defines a successful day or week for you in your role, and what elements contribute to that sense of achievement?
A: I’m an achiever, so if things look better than when we started and we’ve had a productive and enjoyable day, I’m happy. Seeing progress, whether in a newly planted area or an improved garden, is very satisfying.
Q: Would you recommend a local government career in horticulture to people just starting out?
A: Yes, definitely. It’s the best office you’ll find anywhere – outdoors, even when it rains. It’s peaceful, therapeutic, and there are so many avenues now: landscape construction, horticulture, arboriculture, and nursery work. My advice is to never stop learning because this industry is always evolving with new breakthroughs, legislation changes, and cultivars.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work, and what makes it particularly rewarding?
A: We have a shared pride in what we do, and the team I have is passionate and happy to be in the industry. The people are supportive, and we work well together. It’s hard work, especially on hot days, but the general public often tells us we have the best job in the world – and they’re right!
Feeling inspired by Deborah’s story? Explore opportunities that could become your “best job in the world”.
Your next rewarding career could be just a click away – Careers at Council
