Women of the West Award for Kathryn Temple

Mrs Temple was highly commended in the community section of the Women of the West awards, announced this month.

Teaching horticulture and landscape design at Western Sydney TAFE in Richmond, Mrs Temple provided advice about people’s gardens and plants on fire-affected properties. She was also able to distribute donations of plants to fire victims. 

In an ongoing project, the lecturer and some of her TAFE students are designing suitable gardens for fire-prone areas.

“This helps both the residents and the students, as many people don’t know where to start with their gardens and have only a small budget, so my students look at what the clients need and want in the gardens and design and present plans for the residents to consider and implement,” Mrs Temple said.

“We have designed four gardens so far, with another one lined up for this year.”

Good plants for fire-prone areas include lilly pilly and succulents which have a good moisture content.

“You also don't have a continuous canopy of trees up to the house. Scattered trees are OK but should have smooth bark that is less likely to catch fire,” Mrs Temple said.

“Deciduous trees also work. Conifers are not encouraged as they are very flammable. Also you don't tend to use timber products in flame zone areas, and it is good to have gravel or lawns closer to the house areas.” 

Mrs Temple said she was honoured to be nominated and pleasantly surprised to win the award.

“It was a lovely gesture to have the members of the community that I had dealt with after the fires nominate and provide references for the nomination,” she said.

“I helped out in all these ways as I knew many people affected by the fires and there was a need for help in this area that emerged through my involvement at Springwood Baptist Church.”

The Women of the West Awards are a celebration of women who show leadership in their respective fields and who are improving the lives of people in the region.