16 March 2012 Ellerslie participation a learning exercise

In addition to the prestige for students of winning awards at the Ellerslie show and the benefit for them in getting their names out to the public as upcoming landscape architects, participation in the event is a major learning opportunity.

“What we learnt from the experience was invaluable,” says Hilary Wetton, winner of the Supreme Lighting Award with fellow Lincoln University student Leicester Murray. “It taught us time management, project management, and the reality of design work.”

Associate Professor Jacky Bowring, agrees that taking part in the Ellerslie show is a tremendous learning opportunity for students.

“It is a test of the wide range of skills and knowledge that landscape architects need,” she says. “That includes everything from the excitement of designing a creation through to the nitty-gritty aspects of making sure it is structurally sound and the plants are at their best.

“For Ellerslie the students also have the challenge of raising funds and gaining sponsorship to be able to construct their gardens, so it is a test of professional skills in this area as well. And seeing the students explaining their gardens to visitors means participation also tests their public relations skills and indicates how important the show is for raising the profile of landscape architecture.”