Award-winning landscape designer, Mark Browning’s entry in this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show – designed as a tribute to his late mother, Audrey Browning, who had Alzheimer’s disease – has taken out two major prizes.
The garden – which has been awarded this year’s Silver Gilt Show Garden award and the Mark Bence Construction Award – is a testament to his mum ‘Aud’s gardening prowess and is a fusion of mixed and varied plantings and off-beat structural landscape ideas.
“As a gardener Aud rewrote the book on how it is done. Born a Queenslander her ideas on cool climate gardening were nil when she moved to Melbourne in 1959 – she mixed ferns with gardenias, begonias with primulas and rhododendrons with banksias,” Mr Browning said.
“Although my mum died from Alzheimer’s disease and other ailments, the disease never defined her.
“Aud was a competent and enthusiastic gardener, a golf champion in her younger years, and most of all a loving family woman, loyal and warm to everyone around her right up to the time of entering permanent care eight years before passing.
“Aud was and remains my mum – forgive my bias but to this day she continues to be my primary role model in my profession.”
Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe AM said Mr Browning had generously chosen Dementia Australia as his charity of choice for the show garden.
“I thank and acknowledge Mark for selecting Dementia Australia as his charity of choice – funds raised will provide invaluable support services, education and resources for people impacted by dementia Australia-wide,” Ms McCabe said.
“The garden is a beautiful homage and tribute to his late mother and we are very grateful for Mark’s generosity in raising funds and awareness for all people impacted by dementia.”
‘Aud’ will be on display at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show from 30 March-3 April 2022.
To learn more and buy tickets visit melbflowershow.com.au
