Peter has a wealth of travel experience having served in the British and South African Merchant Marine for 17 years - visiting so many places worldwide whilst working aboard freighters.
All this came after an upbringing in Africa, living on tea and coffee plantations in Uganda and Kenya, finishing schooling at a floating naval college in London, 'going to sea' and some years later marrying and settling down with a young family in South Africa.
Plants and gardening must have been in Peter's blood- his mother made fantastic gardens out of nothing in the wilds of Africa, and he always had a go at establishing a garden wherever his young family settled.
Upon arrival in Australia in 1983, Peter and Hilary bought the Rast Bros Nursery business based in Turramurra. It was a huge challenge, never having been an employer, only an employee; let alone coming to terms with all the Australian and exotic plants he had never heard of! There were some scary times, but gradually Peter, ably assisted by Hilary and a great staff, put Rast Bros firmly on everyone's garden centre radar!
Over the years Rast Bros has become synonymous with gardening excellence - an extensive range of great quality plants displayed in the lovely ambience of the nursery. The nursery has won many industry and small business awards at state and local levels.
Peter and Hilary have travelled whenever possible - it's in their blood! And whenever there is a public garden open or an interesting looking nursery, they call in. Peter has visited the acclaimed Chelsea Flower Show and Keukenhof in Holland several times plus many glorious gardens throughout France and Britain.
Recently they went to Vietnam for a completely different style of holiday and came away transfixed with the beauty of the country and the people. And of course the tropical plants were a delight!
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