Do you love what you do?
Hi - I am Alicia, the owner of Hancock Garden Care based on the NSW, Central Coast. I’ve always loved working in gardens and green spaces.
After many years working in the fast paced; highly stressful environment of event management I took myself to TAFE to study Horticulture. I wanted to do something that I loved - for me gardening isn't just a means to an end. I’m happiest when I’m covered in dirt (sorry, soil). I love seeing the response of property owners when their gardens and yards are either tidied, enhanced, reimagined and above all: just loved.
My obsession of nature and gardening started for me as a kid when our family travelled up the east coast of Australia in the school holidays visiting nearly every public garden and National Park we could squeeze into the 6 week break. When we got home after one of these trips, Dad and I were so transfixed by the Daintree Rainforest that we transformed the corner of our acreage into a micro rainforest including a sandstone lined creek bed using the grey water from the laundry to irrigate it. My HSC artwork was a series of etchings of the Daintree!
I also remember the joy I experienced on weekends strolling through Sydney’s largest nurseries with my Grandma. She kick-started my love for cacti!
“When you do what you love, it’s no longer work”
I am very fortunate to live near the bush at Umina Beach. For the past 6 years I have planted over 150 native plants and trees, to ‘green up’ my small suburban block. I have also managed to squeeze in a veggie patch and a chicken coop!
What I’ve done:
Won Silver & Bronze NSW/ACT Landscape Association Awards for 2 of my sites
Successfully obtained a Certificate 11 in Horticulture at Ryde TAFE
Managed 4 private school sites in the Eastern suburbs for a Sydney based horticultural company
Managed 20 staff (Horticulturalists, Green Keepers & Apprentices) across 6 private school sites in Sydney
Managed heritage listed gardens & 4 staff at a Hospital Site in Concord
Carried out regular maintenance programs for clients in Drummoyne, Mosman and the Hunter Valley
Worked for several Real Estate agents in Sydney - pre-sale & regular maintenance programs
Reproduced a ‘Backyard Blitz’ (Channel 9 Reality TV Gardening Show) garden in Newtown for a property sale