Peter has had a life of travel experiences having served in the British and South African Merchant Marine for 17 years – visiting so many places on every continent whilst working aboard freighters.
All this came after an upbringing in Africa, living on tea and coffee plantations in Uganda and Kenya. Peter finished his schooling at a floating Royal Naval College in London, went to sea as an apprentice, travelled the world and many years later married Hilary and settled down in South Africa. Their two sons were born there, whilst Peter was working for the South African Harbour Service.
Plants and gardening must have been in Peter's blood as his mother created magnificent gardens wherever they settled in East Africa. As Peter says 'she didn't have the luxury of a garden centre just around the corner. This was in the wilds of remote central Africa.' So he always tried to make a garden wherever the young family settled in South Africa.
Upon arrival in Australia in 1983, Peter and Hilary bought the Rast Bros Nursery business based in Turramurra on Sydney's North Shore. It was a huge challenge, never having been an employer, only an employee; let alone coming to terms with all the Australian and exotic plants he had never heard of! There were some scary times, but Peter, ably assisted by Hilary's office skills and a great staff, put Rast Bros firmly back on everyone's garden centre radar!
Over the years Rast Bros became synonymous with garden centre retailing excellence. They sold an extensive range of quality plants displayed in the lovely ambience of the nursery. Rast Bros was to win many awards – community, industry and small business, and even an overseas award from the International Garden Centres Congress in 1998 for being the best garden centre in Australia.
Peter and Hilary decided to move on from retailing in 2007. A hard decision to make, but after 23 years of retailing they wanted a change. Sadly, the nursery was destined to close, and trading ceased mid-July 2007. The end of an era, but the start of a new life for them both. Peter is busier than ever as he is working part time as a consultant to the horticultural industry, as a freelance writer and as a Ross Tour leader – but he does have his weekends back!
The two of them have travelled whenever possible - it's in their blood! They have visited the Chelsea Flower Show several times and love the bulb festivals at Keukenhof in Holland. They have visited numerous gardens all over Britain, France, Holland and the Italian Lakes.
Peter has travelled as Tour Leader for Ross Garden Tours, with Hilary at his side as a very delightful and important travelling companion; to Vietnam, France and China. They thoroughly enjoy the friendships that Ross Tours bring and look forward to many more tours in the future years.
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