Our Members
Our Members
Our Members
We are a volunteer group of passionate 'plants people' who have a commitment to growing and learning about rare and interesting alpine and diminutive woodland, coastal and saxatile plants and the natural environments in which they grow.
We have a strong commitment to growing plants from seed and run our own seed exchange from seed donated and shared by our members.
Our History
Our Members
Our Members
Our group was started in the early 1970s by a group of passionate gardeners, including siblings Barbara and Philip Gordon. Their vision and drive saw the group slowly grow and establish itself as the 'go to' organisation in Australia for learning about true alpine, and rare and unusual plants. The group specifically focusses on plants sui
Our group was started in the early 1970s by a group of passionate gardeners, including siblings Barbara and Philip Gordon. Their vision and drive saw the group slowly grow and establish itself as the 'go to' organisation in Australia for learning about true alpine, and rare and unusual plants. The group specifically focusses on plants suitable for crevice, trough, woodland and rock gardens; and the natural environments in which these plants grow both in Australia and overseas.
Our Mission
Our Members
Our Mission
In 2019, the Alpine Garden Society Victorian Group, became a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC).
We run an annual free public lectures series, publish regular monthly articles about plants and the natural environment in which they grow, offer scholarships, and make grants through the Australian Alpine Education and Research Program.
Our Committee
President - Fermi de Sousa
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Fermi joined the AGSVG in the 1980s and has held various positions on the Committee. He is a born networker and communicator and his ‘Redesdale Ramblings’ column in the AGSVG’s monthly newsletter has an international following. He gardens at Redesdale, in Central Victoria and has a passion for bulbs. Fermi received the Royal Horticultural
Fermi joined the AGSVG in the 1980s and has held various positions on the Committee. He is a born networker and communicator and his ‘Redesdale Ramblings’ column in the AGSVG’s monthly newsletter has an international following. He gardens at Redesdale, in Central Victoria and has a passion for bulbs. Fermi received the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria's John Pascoe Fawkner Gold Medal in 2021.
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Angie is a botanist and keen gardener, and has a PhD in plant molecular biology. Angela has been a researcher and horticulture teacher, and currently works in the berry industry providing R & D extension to growers and other stakeholders. Angela has a passion for all manner of plants, particularly woodlanders and alpines, and gardens on three acres in Kallista in the Dandenong Ranges.
Treasurer - Miffy Gilbert
Secretary - Angela Atkinson
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Miffy is a qualified Horticulturist (BAS Hort.) and a member of the Botanical Art Society Australia, American Society Botanical Artists and a Fellow of the Society Botanical Artists (UK). Miffy sits on several industry boards relating to her work in the fresh produce supply chain and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Di
Miffy is a qualified Horticulturist (BAS Hort.) and a member of the Botanical Art Society Australia, American Society Botanical Artists and a Fellow of the Society Botanical Artists (UK). Miffy sits on several industry boards relating to her work in the fresh produce supply chain and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Course (AICD). She has a diverse range of professional horticultural experience from business development manager, group nursery management, horticultural educator, and magazine editor. She gardens in metropolitan Melbourne.
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Helen is the editor of the AGSVG Journal and Membership Secretary. A retired project manager, Helen brings strong organisational skills to the Committee. She has studied horticulture at Burnley and her Mount Waverley garden has previously been open under the Victorian Open Garden Scheme.
Committee Member - Viv Condon
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Committee Member - Viv Condon
Viv is a former President of the AGSVG and has been a member of the group since the 1980s. She was instrumental in the group becoming incorporated in the early 2000s and a charity in 2019. She is a highly regarded propagator and horticulturalist. Her garden at Sherbrooke has featured in a number of publications. She holds a John Pascoe Fa
Viv is a former President of the AGSVG and has been a member of the group since the 1980s. She was instrumental in the group becoming incorporated in the early 2000s and a charity in 2019. She is a highly regarded propagator and horticulturalist. Her garden at Sherbrooke has featured in a number of publications. She holds a John Pascoe Fawkner Gold Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria.
Committee Member - Luca Magi
Committee Member - Helen Batty
Committee Member - Viv Condon
Luca is a qualified horticulturist with international experience and is a keen gardener. He has been a member of the AGSVG since 2021, and joined the Committee in 2023. He enjoys all things plants, with a particular interest in alpines and tropical aroids and gardens in Warragul.
Committee Member - Emma Moysey
Committee Member - Emma Moysey
Committee Member - Emma Moysey
Emma has been a member of the AGSVG since 2015, and a Commitee Member since 2016. A senior manager at CSIRO and a qualified Ecologist (B SC Hons.), Emma contributes broadly to the running of the Committee and the Group. Emma and her partner enjoy their 1 acre garden established over 100 years ago as part of the Poets Lane estate, Sherbrooke.