Managing Director
Simon Ainsworth
Simon is a keen gardener himself, happily spending his weekend weeding, feeding, trimming and tending. In fact, his garden was recently opened for charity, and most visitors would not have realised how much of the work really was ‘home grown”. Simon also loves tinkering, fixing tools, repairing machines and investing in the latest technologies, which is why you can recharge your electric car at Eden Gardens. A true greenie, he hates to throw things out when they could be fixed up and reused instead of becoming landfill. Simon is also the Patron of the Cacti and Succulent Society, and at home also has many rare and unusual succulents.
Community Development Manager
Anna Ainsworth
Many people wouldn’t realise how seriously Eden Gardens take its philosophy of “Enriching people’s lives with plants.” It’s the job of Anna Ainsworth, the Eden Community Development Manager, to do just this, linking the business with its charitable activities and genuinely seeking to improve the quality of the life for others. Anna is all about access, encouragement, education and engagement and is a passionate worker for others. Originally trained as a physiotherapist working with children, she now helps young people at risk through establishing education and mentoring programs. Eden Gardens provides work placement opportunities for many from ‘Youth Connections’ to be the best that they can be, and turn education into jobs, with support and inspiration provided by the grounds and staff team at Macquarie Park.
Operations Manager
Andy Sutherland
Andy has been at Eden Gardens for 4 years, and in Australia for the last decade. His accent is a hint at his fabulous Glaswegians past, where he was chairman of the Scottish Garden Centre Association and received both a bronze and silver award from the Royal Horticultural Society for design. He loves the weather here is Australia where he has made his home in the Northern Beaches. His large deck is covered with a multitude of potted edibles and cactus plants. He also boasts a shed full of tools and house full of indoor plants.
Andy loves that Eden Gardens is an oasis in the centre of Sydney and a great destination for people to go to as a day out. He finds joy in helping others and strives to create a team of happy, enthusiastic staff that are able to give out great advice. He describes himself as a general, all round practical gardener.
Macquarie Park Nursery Manager
Tamlin Creighton-See
Tamlin Grew up in the Blue Mountains, both parents and grandma are keen gardeners so that's where he picked it up from. He started at Eden Gardens two years ago in 2017 after finishing his certificate III in horticulture in 2016. He will also be finishing off his Bachelor of arts in ancient history and politics this year.
Tamlin is passion about indoor plants and loves guiding and teaching people how to get the best out of them! His favourite genus of plants would be Ficus (figs) and he has 7 different species at home. He loves them because they're so versatile as a lot can live both indoors and outdoors, sun or shade.
Plant he wishes he has one of : Zanzibar Gem 'Raven'
Carseldine Nursery Manager
Amy Smith
Amy joined the Eden family around 3 years ago. She shares our passion for gardening, sustainability and the natural world. Her passion for all things plants is contagious.
