By Romy Stephens
Emerald’s Mitch Dasler has a bright future in landscaping after winning the Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria’s Apprentice of the Year 2019 award.
The 19-year-old received the award on 22 February at the NGIV Annual Gala Night at the Park Hyatt.
Mitch has been an apprentice at Fleming’s Nurseries in Monbulk for over two years but has worked with the company for over three years.
He said he always wanted to be a landscaper, but fell into nurseries because he didn’t have a driver’s license – a result that he is now thankful for.
“There’s no point being a landscaper if you put a plant in that dies the next week,” he said.
“It’s better to have knowledge of the plant you are putting in.
“It makes the job heaps easier if you know the other half of it, if you know all aspects of the job it’s much easier to understand the way to get results.”
When asked his thoughts on why he was selected as the winner Mitch responded with his ability to show initiative.
“At work if it looks like it needs doing it probably does, so you just think ahead and try and plan the next step,” he said.
“I believe I tend to show leadership if I’m in a group, a lot of people have trouble making decisions and I just make them.”
Mitch added that winning the award will be a huge step forward in his career. He hopes to one day open his own landscaping company.
Mitch also recognised the important role his parents and two TAFE teachers, Mike and Kate, have played in his career so far.
