Tour Guides
Graham Ross  
 

Dip Hort (Ryde School Horticulture);
Dip Teach (Sydney Teachers Col);
Cert. Greenkeeping (Ryde School Hort.);
Cert. Park Admin (Ryde School Hort.);
Head Div (Ryde School Hort.)



Horticulturist, plantsman and garden writer; Graham has spent his life immersed in gardening. He has escorted a large number of Ross Garden Tours throughout Australia and internationally to some of the world's most culturally intriguing and naturally beautiful locations.

He is the gardening presenter on award-winning Better Homes & Gardens National TV show and the host of Channel 7's successful GroundForce show. Graham started the Garden Clinic 2GB Radio Show in 1980. He was Principal of the Ryde School of Horticulture and Trustee of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

Along with his wife, Sandra, he has produced and presented videos, TV programmes and books, all about gardening. Passionate to communicate his love of gardening, Graham commenced publishing horticultural magazines in 1984. One of his great loves is garden and plant photography. An expert on the gardens of Japan and China which he has visited over 20 years, Graham provides insights into the cultural traditions and the spirituality of its gardens.


 

   
     
Sandra Ross  
 

Dip Hort. (Ryde School Hort);
Dip Radiography (Sydney Tech Col)



Horticulturist, dedicated gardener, garden writer, broadcaster and garden travel expert, Sandra is a Director of Ross Garden Tours. One of her greatest enjoyments is planning and escorting tours of incredible beauty to the most breathtaking locations on earth. Sandra has designed and escorted extraordinary international tours all over the world. She has also conducted many memorable tours throughout Australia.

Sandra has been the Managing Director of the Garden Clinic Club since it commenced in 1982 and the Editor of the widely read Garden Clinic Magazine since 1984. Sandra's exuberant personality and sincere interest in her listeners have made her popular on-air throughout Australia. All her spare minutes are spent in her garden.



 

   
     
Linda Ross  
 

B. L Arch (University NSW)



After studying Landscape Architecture she began designing gardens throughout Sydney. Having been the horticultural researcher for Better Homes & Gardens TV Show & designer/project manager for Groundforce TV, Linda understands the conceptual and construction processes of garden design.

Linda has travelled extensively, escorting garden tours to Asia, Europe, America & around Australia. With her regular broadcasts on the Garden Clinic 2GB radio show, she loves to enthusiastically inspire people to create their own unique gardens. Linda's passion is for garden photography, travelling to all corners of the globe & keeping in touch with friends.


 

   
     
Kent Ross  
 
Dip Travel


Kent has been travelling since he was born, joining his father, Graham Ross, on the inaugural Canadian tour in 1985. Since then he has escorted tours to Canada, China, USA, Hawaii and local Wildflower Safaris to Fraser Island and The Outback.

He is passionate about the natural environment and brings a wonderful mix of experience and enthusiasm to his tours. His personal travels have taken him to 39 countries including the 2000 Garden Festival in Graz, Austria.

Kent plays a key management role in Ross Garden Tour Company.


 

   
     
Michael  McCoy  
 

B. Sc

 


Michael is delightfully enthusiastic about anything vaguely horticultural. His first book, 'Michael McCoy's garden' has been published to great acclaim from the horticultural media and gardening public, being awarded the 2002 Horticultural Media Association Paper Laurel. Michael has worked with Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter in England.
He has travelled extensively through Britain and led tours to Canada and around Australia He lives with his young family in a rural Victorian garden and is a talented close-up photographer.


 

   
     
Libby Cameron  
 
B. Pharm, Adv Cert Urban Hort


Libby is a qualified horticulturist, freelance garden writer and garden consultant. Extensive retail experience has helped her gain a broad knowledge of the needs of less experienced gardeners. As a consultant, Libby spends time with gardeners advising on design, plant choices and maintenance. Libby has travelled extensively all over the world and escorted tours to Beechworth/Bright, Tasmania and The Outback.

Her great interest in wildflowers and garden history, have given Libby a focus for her travels within Australia and further afield.


 

   
     
Peter Whitehead  
 


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!


 

   
     
Keran Barrett  
 
Adv Cert Urban Hort


Since arriving in Australia from England 18 years ago, Keran has become a qualified horticulturalist. Initially living on a wholesale nursery, she loved being surrounded by plants and was eager to learn more. While studying, she became involved in indoor plant hire, landscaping and retail nurseries. Keran then decided to combine her original background in administration and travel with horticulture and so began her career in researching and writing for magazine and books.

As a garden competition judge and having lived overseas in Greece and Singapore, she's eager to explore more gardens in different locations and share this fascinating journey with others.


 

   
     
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