Trip of a lifetime: Fleming's Nurseries employee Adam Schmidt last week headed to the UK to attend the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. Picture: Ted Kloszynski
MONBULK resident Adam Schmidt has packed his bags and headed to the UK to take part in the world's most prestigious horticultural event, the Chelsea Flower Show.
Mr Schmidt, who has worked at Fleming's Nurseries for more than four years, has been selected as the only apprentice to join the nursery's design team as it builds its Australian Garden entry.
He is already in the UK with a crew of 12 other team members including this year's designer and Channel Seven personality Jason Hodges, Fleming's director Wes Fleming, former Chelsea gold medal-winning designer Scott Wynd, and many other volunteers.
They will create their garden entry from scratch in 17 days. The selection came as a surprise to Mr Schmidt, who said there was a staff barbecue with an announcement he had been chosen to go. "I was very surprised. I wasn't expecting it at all," he said.
Mr Schmidt has been to the UK before but this is his first time at the Chelsea Flower Show. "I am honoured to get the opportunity to go. I am grateful that Wes and the management team chose me."
The Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 22 to 26.