ROB GELL is a coastal geomorphologist by training. He taught Environmental Science and Physical Geography at Melbourne State College and Melbourne University, then for thirty years has presented television weather. Rob is an environmental and communications consultant, author and photographer. He is the National President of Greening Australia.

MICHAEL McCOY is a garden designer, author, broadcaster, speaker and obsessive home gardener. He is a regular contributor to The Age, Your Garden and Gardening Australia and has written for many other magazines. He has designed gardens throughout Australia and has spoken throughout Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

RICHARD BARLEY is Director of the Melbourne Gardens Division of the world-renowned Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. He leads the division which is responsible for the management and continuing development of the historic landscape including its significant living plant collections, assets and facilities, and delivery of its visitor services and education programs.

DAVID HOLMGREN co-originator with Bill Mollison of the Permaculture concept, is an innovative environmental design consultant based at Hepburn Springs in central Victoria, where he maintains one of Australia’s best-known permaculture demonstration sites. David has written several books, conducted numerous workshops and courses on sustainable living, and developed several properties himself using permaculture principles.

GREG MOORE was Principal of Burnley Institute of Land Food Resources at Melbourne University from 1988 to 2007. Apart from a general interest in horticultural plant science, revegetation and ecology, Greg has a specific interest in all aspects of arboriculture, the scientific study of the cultivation and management of trees. He has been a regular on Melbourne radio, particularly with ABC 774 and 3AW.

JOHN ARNOTT Prior to commencing with the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne as Manager Horticulture in April 2008 John has worked in a number of significant public gardens, including 18 years at the Melbourne Zoo. He joined the Geelong Botanic Gardens in 2000 and was pivotal in
the delivery of 21st Century Garden project which was the catalyst for the rejuvenation of the gardens.

ANDREW LAIDLAW is Landscape Architect for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. Andrew has been the principal landscape designer for many projects including the Species Rose Garden, The Water Conservation Garden, the Long Island Indigenous Garden, The Rare and Threatened collection and The Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. He is currently working on the ‘Guifoyles Volcano’ project. Andrew Laidlaw also works as a landscape architect in private practice, and is a regular gardening commentator on ABC Radio 774.

KEVIN WALSH is a qualified garden designer, horticulturist and writer, and for ten years has had a weekly garden segment on ABC regional radio. He is the author of Waterwise Gardening, described in the Mediterranean Garden Journal as ‘ahead of its time’. The fouth edition will be released in spring 2009.

JOHN RAYNER is a Lecturer in Urban Horticulture at Burnley Campus, University of Melbourne. His teaching and research interests are in the selection, design and management of
landscape plants, particularly hostile urban sites, green roofs, façade greening, children's landscapes and productive gardens. John's interests in plants are extensive and in his spare time he gains great joy in torturing and nurturing them in his 1 ha garden in the Dandenongs.

JOAN WEBSTER has probably done more than any other private individual to raise public awareness of bushfire safety. Her Complete Bushfire Safety Book, acclaimed as the most comprehensive and authoritative book on the subject, has been saving lives and homes for over 20 years and her Essential Bushfire Safety Tips, is ideal for making a bushfire plan.

PENNY WOODWARD is a freelance garden writer and photographer who specializes in useful and edible plants. She has written six best-selling gardening books on herbs, pest repellent plants, Asian herbs and vegetables and garlic and other alliums. Her most recent book is Herbs for Australian Gardens. She also writes for Organic Gardener Magazine and is a regular panel member on the 3CR gardening show.

Rev GORDON BANNON is a Uniting Church minister with an active interest in ecology and spirituality and the environment. He has recently completed a Masters thesis which explores the way in which our gardening practice informs and enriches our spiritual and practical connection with the natural environment and enables our care for the earth.

TOM COCKRAM and BARRY LACEY. Tom's interest in bonsai started as a small boy in 1948 and he still has many of his original trees. His interest renewed after returning from a 3 year trip to Europe and America to study landscape architecture. Tom is a member of the Goldfields Bonsai Society. Barry's interest in bonsai started 27 years ago when he was given his first tree. He now has over 50 trees, a shade house and a workshop. Barry is President of the Goldfields Bonsai Society.

PETER CUFFLEY has a long time passion for plants and garden design and has published a number of influential books on heritage gardens. As a garden designer, home gardener and social historian, Peter has taken a particular interest in the heritage plants that have shown an ability to survive extreme conditions. He is a keen advocate of the importance of historic cultural landscapes.

PHIL HANSEN is a Landscape Designer and consultant horticulturalist from Castlemaine. From sustainability education to whole farm planning, permaculture and commercial and domestic landscape design, Phil has built a vast portfolio of work over the past 15 years. Through the use of natural, sustainable materials and organic forms Phil's gardens are unique and highly recognisable.

ROBIN HAYLETT is a professional horticulturist and landscape designer, specializing in native and dry climate gardens. As a member and Projects Co-ordinator of Castlemaine Landcare he has been involved with the revegetation of Forest Creek and an ambitious and successful project to re-instate riparian vegetation along Happy Valley.

BEN KEOGH Managing Director of Australian Carbon Traders, has worked in both the public and private sectors in carbon sequestration, environmental management, whole farm planning, native forestry and agriculture. He has a detailed and contemporary understanding of the issues surrounding the growing carbon market. Ben is currently the Director of Landcare's national CarbonSMART project.

ADAM MARKS is a dedicated and passionate winemaker with over 20 years domestic and international winemaking experience. Over the past 5 years Adam has embraced biodynamic farming and winemaking practices at his Harcourt property BRESS Wine, Cider and Produce.

DANIEL McWILLIAM lives and works in Castlemaine as a certified arborist running a small company called Tree Business. He has over 12 years experience in the tree industry including forestry establishment and management, olives, vines and tree management for private residences', councils, schools and heritage gardens.

JIM NORRIS has extensive experience in municipal governance and is passionate about Regional Victoria. He served nine years on the Mount Alexander Shire Council, including three terms as Mayor. Jim played a major role in pursuing the declaration of Australia's first National Heritage Park, the Castlemaine Diggings NHP. He is currently Chair of the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group.

THE OLD MOLE (Richard Bird) has an extensive knowledge of the evolution of agricultural and horticultural tools. He specializes in the collection and sale of antique garden tools and the manufacturing of re-production tools. He will be available during BudaFest to give personal advice on your old tools and their care.

GARRY REID has been collecting and selling bulbs for 25 years and currently grows nearly 2000 species and varieties. Over the past 15 years he has lectured widely across south eastern Australia, trying to persuade growers to select plants better suited to our changing climate.

SIMON RICKARD has been head gardener at the Diggers Club for six years, overseeing the gardens at Heronswood and St Erth. He is a horticultural lecturer, journalist and botanical tour leader. Simon has recently embarked on an ambitious project with Annie Smithers to grow the produce for her eponymous Bistrot in Kyneton.

TIM SANSOM As an Executive Director of The Digger's Club, Tim plays an active role in helping steer Australia's largest garden company along the path toward long term sustainability. Tim believes that by growing sustainable, productive and ornamental gardens, we can all do our bit to reduce our impacts on an embattled planet.

ROSEMARY STEVENSON is a keen heritage seed curator, with a particular interest in root crops and peas, and seed saving in general. She is a member of the Seed Savers Network and the Bio Dynamic Growers group in Victoria. She has a large organic garden and grows out vegetables, herbs and some flowers for seed. These are sold at local Farmers' markets and by mail.

DIANNE THOMSON is a professional horticulturalist and the Garden Curator at Buda. She has extensive experience in retail horticulture and as a private consultant in garden design, plant selection and conservation of the natural environment.

HELEN TUTON is an environmentalist, scientist, adult educator and garden writer, specialising in soil science and sustainable soil management. She is a keen horticulturalist and gardener, currently employed by the not-for-profit organisation Sustainable Gardening Australia. Helen's dream is to connect communities, enrich lives, inspire change and save the planet (by the weekend!).