Life-long learning: How Ben began working at Floriade

Horticulture has always been in Ben Uphill’s DNA.

Having worked in HR for 17 years, in 2023 the 45-year-old made the decision to follow in the footsteps of both his grandfathers - one a horticulturalist by trade, the other an avid gardener with a contagious love of plants.

“[My passion] started in my Pop’s garden in Sydney,” Ben said. “I’d go there every school holidays and he’d take me through it.”

Since making the leap, Ben is at Floriade with his new business Treasured Trees and is collaborating with the Traditional Aboriginal Owners Corporation to sell native plants to thousands of people who attend.

“By chance I bumped into my friend Richie Allen at the shops. He said he was at Floriade and I asked if I could sell some plants,” Ben said. “So, it’s just been a collaboration.”

Since starting his own business, Ben decided to deepen his knowledge and understanding of plants by studying Certificate III in Horticulture, and in Landscape Construction at CIT.

“I’ve gotten so much more than what I thought I’d get through typical classroom study”, he said. “You’re getting that knowledge from people who’ve been in the industry for such a long time…they share it really well. They’re very good at what they do”.

For Ben, starting his own business has been a complete change of lifestyle, but the purpose he’s found and the skills he’s developed have made it all worth it.

"I still feel tired in the mornings, but I feel energised by the work I'm doing,” Ben said. “You've got to fill your cup and do something you love.

“I never knew how to do that, and now… I’m feeling like I'm having a purpose, that's important for me."