George’s dedication cultivates laurel award

Andrew Mathieson
A 90-YEAR-OLD Geelong man has been inducted into Horticultural Media Association of Australia’s Hall of Fame for encouraging a “love of gardening”.
Organisers said George Jones won the Gold Laurel – Hall of Fame award for uncovering many fascinating stories about Geelong Botanic Gardens.
Mr Jones’s legendary knowledge of the history of the garden led to more than two decades writing several media articles from a series of investigative work, the organisers said.
He had also been a gardens tour guide, worked stints in its Teahouse and was the first president of Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens in 1985.
Geelong councillor Andy Richards, who holds a parks and gardens portfolio, said few people were more deserving of the prestigious award than Mr Jones.
“George is a person who is generous in his knowledge and interested in sharing and learning from others,” Cr Richards said.
“He has been very involved in the Geelong Garden Club, Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria and, of course, the Horticultural Media Association for a long time.”
Mr Jones was one of three recipients for this year’s award.