Meet the Team
Street Appeal Garden Solutions is based in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, NSW. At the heart of this business is a dynamic and passionate team who help people achieve their garden goals. Together they are a trusted group of talented horticulturists and industry professionals. Christine and her team provide outstanding service and exceptionally beautiful outdoor spaces.
Horticulturist,
Director & Founder
“To take ordinary gardens and transform them into something amazing has been my passion for many years. I love to create beautiful spaces that are welcoming, relaxing and inviting. I want to help people achieve their goals and dreams by doing what I know and love.”
Christine’s love of nature came from spending weekends in the Aussie Bush as a child and going on family camping trips to various National Parks around NSW. It wasn’t until many years later when she needed to create a privacy screen for the front of her home that she absolutely fell in love with plants and the whole process of creating gardens.
That was back in 2001 and since then she hasn’t stopped developing her knowledge and experience with plants and gardens. She has provided countless garden makeovers for her family and friends over the years while juggling a demanding career as a primary teacher and looking after her own children.
As often happens, a family crisis caused Christine to reassess her life and truly follow her dreams. As she cared for her Dad who was unable to walk or speak due to an horrific stroke, she dedicated any spare time she had to learning from experts and experimenting in her own gardens. During those years, Christine achieved qualifications in Horticulture and started her own business.
Horticulturist
& Team Leader
“One of the most rewarding parts of my job is seeing the progress of the gardens we’ve created and the habitat returning to urban areas. I love observing wildlife and their interactions with the natural environment. Helping people learn to utilise their spaces so they can enjoy home grown produce is really fulfilling as well.”
Ash grew up on a farm in regional NSW and has inherited her father’s passion for plants and permaculture. An appreciation for the native flora and fauna surrounding her childhood home led to an interest in improving biodiversity and conserving native vegetation.
Living on a property where nothing went to waste has taught her the joys of repurposing old materials into new and beautiful spaces for people to enjoy.
The creativity and resourcefulness of this practice aligns with her personal commitment to reducing waste.
As the go-to person in her family when someone had a sick house plant, it was only natural for Ash to look for a career working with plants and gardens.
Since starting her career with Street Appeal, Ash has developed a love for creating habitat and production gardens using environmentally sustainable practices. She feels honoured to work with a team of like minded, passionate, professional women in a field that creates positive change for our planet.
Organic Gardening Specialist
& Team Leader
“I love nature and all that it brings. Plants, flowers and the animals that enjoy it, makes me incredibly happy. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful plants in Australia, and I love sharing that with others. Helping people achieve what makes them happy in their own gardens is such a special thing to be a part of.”
Growing up in the blue mountains set Di up for a love of the outdoors and plants from a very young age. It makes her so happy to be able to help people in their outdoor spaces, whether it is maintaining a lawn or starting a garden from scratch.
The more time she spend in gardens, the more appreciation Di has for the way plants and animals interact and how important that is for the environment.
In her spare time, Di spends it in her own garden outside or in her jungle, indoors.
Environmental Scientist
“I am the happiest I have ever been in my working career and feel truly grateful for the opportunity to work in so many gardens in our local area. Gardening is the closest connection we can have with our own patch of this planet and it’s a privilege to be working to help improve soil health and biodiversity for gardens in our community.”
Jules is a proud local in every sense of the word and is the 4th generation of her family that have called Newcastle home. Jules grew up camping and exploring with her parents, her Dad is a bushman and would take the family off grid at any opportunity he could, from outback adventures to coastal camping. This childhood helped to foster a real sense of environmentalism in her from an early age.
Jules went on to study environmental management and pursued a career in local government working in sustainability and waste management. As a community educator she worked with businesses, community and schools to reduce their environmental impact.
The pandemic provided Jules with the opportunity to reassess her priorities and has stepped away from project management and the desk to see more sunshine and reconnect with the outdoors. Jules was a Street Appeal customer working with Christine to nurture her own native garden when there was a spark and is now a part-time member of the team. She is committed and passionate about continuing her journey of improving the local environment and the lives of others.
Horticulturist
“I’ve always had a love for creating whether it be drawing, or creating new gardens, or improving old ones, and my hope is to inspire others through our passion and the creation of beautiful gardens”
After years of working in a nursing home, Alice decided to follow her love of gardening and nature where she hopes to improve and create beautiful gardens. She also hopes to extend her knowledge by starting a TAFE course in horticulture and become a horticulturist along with her fellow teammates.
Student of Horticulture
“You’re never too old to be the work experience kid.”
After 20 years in the field of commercial art Emma yearned for something more tangible. It was during moments of respite, amidst the chaos of deadlines and client briefs, that she found her happiness in the simple act of gardening and what began as a hobby soon blossomed into a passion.
Wanting to find a way to channel her passion, creativity and curiosity into a role that aligned with her values of kindness, care and sustainability Emma sought out opportunities for hands-on experience in the field of horticulture. Upon spotting the Street Appeal van in her neighbourhood, she took a leap of faith, approaching Christine and expressing her interest in joining the team.
The experience was transformative. Surrounded by like-minded individuals, Emma instantly loved the physicality of the work, the sense of camaraderie, and the tangible impact of their efforts. Each garden transformed was a testament to their collective dedication and passion for nurturing nature’s beauty.
Inspired by her time with the Street Appeal team, Emma made the decision to pursue a formal education in horticulture, enrolling in the program at Ryde TAFE. The transition from pixels to petals has been more than just a career change—it’s been a journey of self-discovery, a testament to her passion for creativity and connection with the natural world. And as she continues to nurture gardens and cultivate beauty, she remains ever grateful for the opportunity to play a part in preserving and protecting the wonders of nature.
Sustainability Specialist
“I’ve always believed we have an innate connection to nature—it’s a part of who we are. For me, gardening is a way to give back and make a difference, whether it’s growing food, creating habitats, or enhancing our outdoor environments.”
Andrew grew up in a yard filled with towering gum trees, a backyard jungle that sparked his curiosity and love for nature. He spent countless hours playing under their branches and helping his dad with various yard projects. His family’s connection to the environment ran deep—his mum and brother even started a local Landcare group to care for a nearby patch of bushland.
Over the years, Andrew has lived in different climates across the state, exploring the outdoors on bushwalks and camping trips. While working in Canberra during its freezing winters, he developed an interest in energy efficiency, which sparked his journey into sustainability—a path he continues to follow today.
Andrew is passionate about the potential of outdoor spaces to enrich lives. Whether it’s fostering well-being, creating a sense of connection, or supporting pollinators and wildlife, he believes gardens play a vital role. He hopes to lead by example, showing what’s possible and inspiring others to nurture healthier, more sustainable environments for both people and nature.
