Award of Merit 2019
Sponsored By: Landscaping Victoria Master Landscapers
Recipient: Andrew Bright
Andrew Bright is a third-generation landscaper who first learnt to lay bricks and pavers when he was at primary school. The Bright name has been synonymous with landscaping in Melbourne over most of the 20th century. Andrew has continued his family’s tradition since forming Bright Landscapes in the early 90’s and building some of Melbourne’s best landscapes.
Whatever Andrew does he gives 100%. Whether it be business, family or sport he is a passionate, committed and focussed man. When the Committee looked around for a new President in the mid 2000’s everybody, as usual, ducked for cover. Andrew hesitated at first, wondering how he could do the Presidency justice whilst juggling commitments between running a small landscape design and construction business whilst still giving his all to his wife and growing family. It was far from the optimal time for him, but this epitomises ‘Brighty’ to us; overlooking his own needs for the betterment of the industry and his fellow landscapers.
To watch Andrew work running the Association was amazing. As usual with anything he does, Andrew got all consumed in the Presidency to the extent that he put his commitment to the role ahead of his business and broke all records as to how many countless unpaid hours he put into the Association. At the time, the association had very little in terms of resources, let alone paid staff, so Andrew picked up the slack. He was in the LV office 2-3 times a week for hours on end, for years.
We can thank Andrew for his commitment to bringing further professionalism to Landscaping Victoria especially in regard to contracts and registration. He led by example and never wavered when he was handed the baton to get Registration going. His efforts had a profound effect on what we were doing and where we were heading at the time which laid the foundations for today’s structural landscape registration. Andrew’s dedication and hard work has had a direct benefit for all those who call themselves a landscaper. We congratulate him for this deserved recognition for Life Membership.