Panel Discussion - A Greener State of Mind

Garden State Festival

The importance of green spaces to modern living has widely been recognised and celebrated.

Music Market

The experiences of our recent past, coupled with our developing city, have inspired us to reconnect our inner selves to nature. There is no doubt that plants play a vital role in our lives and help ground us to this world.Join experts from the fields of health, landscape design / architecture, art and community action for a verdant discussion on the role that plants play in our wellbeing and what more can be cultivated for healthier lives and cities.In line with government requirements, all our visitors/attendees18 years and over must have proof of vaccination or a valid exemption and check in with the Service Vic app with our QR code on entry. PanelistsDr Sandro Demaio - CEO of VicHealthAndrew Laidlaw - Landscape ArchitectLouise Wright of Baracco+WrightJason Chongue - Creative Director of The Plant Society

Dr Sandro DemaioDr Sandro Demaio is a medical doctor and globally-renowned public health expert and advocate. Having held the role of Medical Officer for non-communicable conditions and nutrition with the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at the World Health Organization, Dr Demaio was previously the CEO of the EAT Foundation, the science-based, global platform for food systems transformation.In his pro bono work, Dr Demaio co-founded NCDFREE, a global social movement against chronic disease which reached more than 2.5 million people in its first 18 months. In 2015, he founded festival21, assembling and leading a team of experts in staging an unprecedented free celebration of community, food, culture and future in his hometown of Melbourne. In 2018, he also established an independent, not-for-profit foundation focused on improving the health and nutrition of Australians.He has published 30 scientific papers and more than 90 articles. He is also the author of the Doctor’s Diet, a cookbook based on science and inspired by a love of good food.Besides his role as VicHealth CEO, Dr Demaio also co-hosts the ABC television show Ask the Doctor – an innovative and exploratory factual medical series broadcasting across Australia and around the world. Dr Demaio originally trained and worked as a medical doctor at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne. He holds a Masters degree in public health, a PhD in non-communicable diseases and has held fellowships at both Harvard Medical School and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Andrew LaidlawAndrew Laidlaw is one of Australia’s leading landscape architects and designers. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, award winning designs and high profile projects, Andrew is well known for his in depth knowledge of plants, his mastery of design, and his unique, innovative approach.Andrew is most widely known for his work as the landscape architect at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. In this role, he has designed and developed the Long Island indigenous garden, the Perennial Border, the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden, and Guilfoyle’s Volcano including the recent Meditation Gardens, Arid Collection and ‘Falling Giant’. His projects have also won three gold medals at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Landscape of the Year from the Landscape Industries Association of Victoria, and the 2005 Victoria Tourism Award for Best New Tourism Development. Andrew has taught Landscape Design at the University of Melbourne’s Burnley campus (previously VCAH) for over twenty-five years, teaching many of Australia’s gardeners and designers. Andrew’s love of plants and nature began in childhood and was inspired by his father's love of the gardens. The childhood memories of playing free in the bush and connecting with nature has inspired Andrew's life long passion to not only work with nature, but to help others learn, enjoy and find their own connection with the natural world.

Louise WrightLouise Wright (PhD) is a Director of Baracco+Wright Architects. She is interested in a role for architecture that can extend its relationship with the natural world towards one that supports all life and explores this through built form and practice-based research.She has a PhD in Architecture and is a registered architect. In 2012 she won the Australian Architectural Services Award for Client Services (ARBV). Since 2019 she has sat on the Design Review Panel of the Office of the Victorian Government Architect and was recently appointed as an ‘expert’ member on the City of Melbourne Design Review Panel. In 2022 she was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.In 2017, Louise was appointed in the role of Creative Director by the Australian Institute of Architects with Mauro Baracco in collaboration with Linda Tegg, of the Australian Pavilion at the 16th International Venice Biennale di Architettura 2018, with the theme Repair, which sought to explore the role of architecture in the repair of the natural environment. Repair was recently described as a ‘landmark’ exhibition in MMXX Two Decades of Architecture in Australia edited by Cameron Bruhn.

Jason ChongueJason Chongue is the Creative Director of Melbourne-based design studio and store, The Plant Society. (www.theplantsociety.com.au/ @theplantsocietyau) Having built a wealth of experience as a Melbourne-based architect and interior designer, Jason merged his passion for plants and design, to create a specialised eye for designing with plants in small urban spaces.Together with his partner, Nathan Smith, they lead and mentor their growing team at The Plant Society, in their Melbourne and Sydney studios and stores. Having launched in August 2016 they continue to nurture a vast range of plant projects across Australia, promoting positive and open conversations about gardening and greenery not only indoors but in compact outdoor environments. Their focus on community and honest relationships has seen them work with some prestigious brands and unique spaces, both designing and nurturing on a regular basis.Jason’s love for greenery has seen The Plant Society grow exponentially in a short period of time. A love that has been supported by the community not only in Australia but across the globe. His passion for passing gardening knowledge onto aspiring gardeners has seen him travel the world with his workshops.

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

Panel Discussion - A Greener State of Mind

More events from Garden State Festival

Discover more events from Garden State Festival, from Home & Lifestyle to other experiences you might love.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Collingwood and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.

Panel Discussion - A Greener State of Mind

More events from Garden State Festival

Discover more events from Garden State Festival, from Home & Lifestyle to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.

Still looking for the right event?

Explore all events in Collingwood and filter by date, category, and more to find the perfect fit.