Ben Hutcheson
Ben Hutcheson, centre, is presented his Most Outstanding Apprentice award by Rotary Club of Knox members Peter Headlam and Tore Panuzzo.
Certificate III in Horticulture (Parks and Gardens)
He’s a new dad embarking on a new life and what better way to kick it all off than winning a prestigious award.
After taking the plunge and becoming an apprentice at the age of 36, Ben Hutcheson has only a few months of TAFE and one more year as an apprentice to serve. At the recent Horticulture Awards evening, in a packed auditorium at Swinburne’s Wantirna campus, Ben was named the Rotary Club of Knox Most Outstanding Apprentice 2008.
Not bad for a guy who first left school at the age of 16 and went to work on a strawberry farm. Ben also lived on Lord Howe Island for 3 ½ years, where he worked as a butcher, but it was a stint with a Jim’s Mowing business back in Melbourne that made Ben realise he really preferred working outdoors. Within a short time he was working in the gardens of the Sky High Observatory at Mt Dandenong with gardens manager Kerrie Clarke. His passion for horticulture was sparked.
What does it feel like to be a mature-aged apprentice?
"I had to adapt to the low wages," he says, "but I saw it as a means to an end, so I did adapt."
Ben was head-hunted by his employer, Rob Sparkes of Professional Garden Restorations, and reckons he’s staying put when his apprenticeship is complete.
"I have a great employer," he says. "And Swinburne’s been great. The teachers’ enthusiasm and the way they are so willing to pass on their knowledge is fantastic, especially Mike Callaway and Mark Dietrich – their enthusiasm really comes across."
Ben has won two other awards during his time at Swinburne - Best 1st Year Apprentice Parks & Gardens and Best 2nd Year Apprentice Parks & Gardens (dual winner). He’s also pretty rapt about being the father of a gorgeous baby girl.
