welcome from patron

I am pleased once again to have the opportunity as Patron, to extend a warm welcome to those participating in and visiting this year’s Tropical Garden Spectacular and Top End sustainable Living Festival. Building on the fantastic success of last year’s theme, we now look to the future and how we can ensure a sustainable environment from our own backyard through our theme for 2011, “Green-Life Balance”. I am sure it will captivate and nurture the interest of many Territorians and visitors alike. I encourage you all to unearth the knowledge that awaits you at the George Brown Botanical Gardens.

As it has done in the past, the Festival provides an opportunity for everybody to discover, or re-discover the gardener or environmentalist within them amongst the magnificent surrounds that are the George Brown Botanical Gardens. There will be an opportunity for all members of the family, young and old, to get their hands dirty in the many activities and a chance to learn more of that ‘global garden’ which we call home.

In an era where technology reigns supreme, many families can be found spending their leisure time in separate rooms. This event will reunite you. As you learn together of the healthy lifestyle that awaits you through the discovery of your own garden and its potential, from food production to energy reduction, there is an infinite list of possibilities which lie ahead.

The 2011 program is an opportunity to join industry experts and gardening enthusiasts and share in their knowledge for an environmentally sustainable future. I encourage you all to embrace the opportunity to be inspired and I welcome you all to the 2011 NT Tropical Garden Spectacular and Top End Sustainable Living Festival.

Tessa Pauling